Sisters in Sport–When (surprise) Success Isn’t a Measurable Goal

Back in October, Believe I Am challenged a group of women fitness enthusiasts (coined, the #sistersinsport) to start thinking outside the box. In the way they approached training, how they tracked their work, and what they thought they could accomplish.

I was in the heat of CIM training – had just hit my first peak week, full of confidence and big dreams. I loved how the BIA journal got me to sit down and not only admit to my goals, but gave me a blueprint for how to tackle them. There were number goals (BQ, <20 5k, 1:35 half) as well as mental game goals (“trust”, “believe”, “be fearless”) and I was all sorts of hell bent on knocking them all out by the end of the year.

still a petal left on how to be “above average” – suggestions?

Unfortunately, while I was sitting on my peak week throne all high on hills and long run ass-kicking, I was tipping on the precipice of what turned into a year-ending injury.

As such, most of my journal is filled with frustrations, confusion, and stubborn determination towards overcoming my tib strain. I have to admit, at first I closed off and didn’t want to write about it, and when I did it was a bipolar mix of four-letter words and stubborn optimism, talking myself off the ledge and convincing myself it wasn’t a big deal.

injury+altitude = slight over-dramatics

But I had a lot of eye-opening moments during that up-and-down road to (attempted) recovery. No, I didn’t accomplish any of the goals in my numbers flower. BUT, this experience did teach me some valuable lessons about being honest with myself, adjusting, and lifting my eyes further ahead than just the next run.

Mistakes(/setbacks) are only such if you don’t learn from them.

With the start of a new year – based more on my return to running after Zero Month than the actual calendar – I’ve got a new outlook. A new appreciation for the sport. A new respect for my body and its needs. A fresh look at what I want to achieve.

hopefully, or else I’m destined to be keeled over at stoplights on 3 mile runs forever…

This year I vow to tackle the JOURNEY (so hippie-sounding, I know), using workouts as stepping stones, races as check-ins, and goals as my compass. I’ll accept and adjust to the ebbs and flows as they come – soaking momentum from the good runs and learning from the bad. I won’t threaten to throw myself into the ocean if I miss splits or have to bail on a run. I’ll listen to my body, stop comparing myself to others, and trust the process. I’ll learn to enjoy running and training more, in my own “non-happy runner” ways.

And I’ll kick all my goals’ asses in the process.

legit advice from the pros – Lo & Ro

“Releasing the pressure and letting the energy flow…” You always know just what to say, journal.

Here’s to a Free, Fast & Fun 2013!

Sarah OUaL