This past weekend, I ran my 90th race EVER. 90 races. All since I began racing in 2007.
As a Skirt Sports Ambassador, I’ve been asked to write about my most “real” race ever. And I have to tell you, every single race was real. Every single race was the most real race ever. Every single race has taught me something about myself.
The races where I sailed to a strong finish taught me that I may not be the fastest or ever win even my age group, but that I have the ability to cover the distance I’ve set out to do at the pace I wanted to run. These are the confidence building runs.
The races where the weather did not cooperate taught me that I will not melt, that a little hydration goes a long way, and that it’s better (for me) to be slightly overdressed than the alternative. These are the “lessons learned” races.
The races where I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad race are the races that have shown me just how tenacious I really am. These are the races where I find that last remaining bit of mental fortitude to get to the finish line. These are the races with the worst numbers on the clock, but that make me feel the proudest just for finishing.
[Tweet “Tell me about your most real race! #realwomenmove #ambassador @skirtsports”]
Every single race is a challenge. Every single race is real.
#REALwomenmove
Wow, 90 races! You’re amazing!
Wow, 90! I’ve never counted, but I’m pretty sure I’m nowhere near that. And you’re right, the best races aren’t always the ones with the fastest finish times. Sometimes those tough ones, where you pulled out of nowhere, are the ones the count the most.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Love this post!
I have never counted! That’s awesome though!!
Love it! Real Races, Real Woman! Nice perspective and I love how you include that it doesn’t matter if you won at all. I think we forget from time to time that everyone out there is WINNING. Everyone is being active and contributing to their health and well being for themselves and their families. This is a lesson that is really hard to teach kiddos, I keep attempting this lesson with my son. The more I think about this, I’m thinking I might do Marilou’s goal of last place with the boys being there to see it.
Totally agree! They are all real and they all teach you something about yourself. Congrats on #90!
Wow, 90! That’s awesome. I have to chuckle at the “terrible, horrible, no good very bad races” as I just had one of those this weekend. I guess it wasn’t that bad but it was a huge let-down versus my expectations. But there’s always lessons learned and sights on the next one, right?
90 races is amazing, congratulations!!!
Wow you’ve done a lot of racing in not that long a time. Very impressive. Have you planned the next 10 and will no. 100 be a special one?
90 races! Wowza! I so agree – every race holds a lesson.
I totally agree, all of my races have been real. I’ve put my all and my heart into every single one of them and I’m proud of all of them no matter what the outcome was!
Wow, 90 runs! That is an amazing feat! My most “real” race was the 2013 Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville. It rained. Scratch that. It POURED. From the minute I got out of my car, until the minute I got back in after the race, rain fell on my head. It was truly the most challenging race I have ever run. But, I made it! That race taught me I could anything. And now I have a great story to tell about it!
YES! Every race is different, every race presents its own challenges, and every race is a chance to be your best you!