The glass half full- a hell of a lot of fun with friends and a callused and unrivaled tolerance for pain.
The glass half empty- years of struggles and unfulfilled potential.
My running career has been a lot of things. A lighting fast flash to success in my early collegiate career made me feel like I was unstoppable. But overtraining only gets you one, maybe two years of breakthrough performances. After awhile those 90 mile weeks, and impractical expectations and quirks left me burnt to a crisp. Still, I knew I had more in me. I would see those glimmers of potential- in a workout, in one race. Here or there I knew I had a lot left to give, I just had to figure out how to make it happen the right way.
For the first time in three years I want to race again. I’ve had bouts of the competitive spirit ignite in me over the past few years, but as a whole I felt as if I was on a steady detox from the chaos that is collegiate training and racing. After college I wanted to enjoy running again. I wanted to run long when I wanted to run long, or short when I wanted to go shorter. I wanted to do impromptu hard days, or take days off without feeling guilty. I wanted to find that balance with running and life that I never seemed to strike when I was in college.
I’m happy to say that I think that day has come. I pulled out my box of racing spikes last night and put my favorite pair of Nike’s on. I walked around my apartment and felt butterflies of excitement flitting in my stomach. I’m excited to step on that line again. But more so, I’m excited to feel the balance I’ve so longed to have. I’m excited that I have gone through some tough physical and mental times, and come out on the other side with valuable and concrete lessons to guide me forward. More than ever I value the benefits of rest (yes, I know it’s not rocket science!), and the purpose in not being SO serious all the time, but having some FUN! I’ve also learned to never stop taking my Iron, to always roll out my legs, and to never doubt the usefulness of a good night’s sleep.
Finally, I couldn’t be happier to take this next healthy and balanced step into running with the Oiselle Voilee team! I was recently accepted to the Oiselle team, and I am thrilled to be working with such amazing and motivated women. Seriously, this company is outrageously cool. Not only do they make super flattering and cute running clothes, but they represent some of the fastest and funniest chicks in the professional and recreational running business. They understand what it means to have balance, whether its with family, friends, or business. They represent everyone, from the mom who jogs her block every morning, to superstars like Lauren Fleshman and Kate Grace. They value the sport for what it is, and what it does in bringing together people who just plain love to run!
I encourage you to follow me and my Oiselle teammates on the website below, as results are posted weekly!
Fly Far, Fly Free
http://www.oiselle.com/athletes
The glass half empty- years of struggles and unfulfilled potential.
My running career has been a lot of things. A lighting fast flash to success in my early collegiate career made me feel like I was unstoppable. But overtraining only gets you one, maybe two years of breakthrough performances. After awhile those 90 mile weeks, and impractical expectations and quirks left me burnt to a crisp. Still, I knew I had more in me. I would see those glimmers of potential- in a workout, in one race. Here or there I knew I had a lot left to give, I just had to figure out how to make it happen the right way.
For the first time in three years I want to race again. I’ve had bouts of the competitive spirit ignite in me over the past few years, but as a whole I felt as if I was on a steady detox from the chaos that is collegiate training and racing. After college I wanted to enjoy running again. I wanted to run long when I wanted to run long, or short when I wanted to go shorter. I wanted to do impromptu hard days, or take days off without feeling guilty. I wanted to find that balance with running and life that I never seemed to strike when I was in college.
I’m happy to say that I think that day has come. I pulled out my box of racing spikes last night and put my favorite pair of Nike’s on. I walked around my apartment and felt butterflies of excitement flitting in my stomach. I’m excited to step on that line again. But more so, I’m excited to feel the balance I’ve so longed to have. I’m excited that I have gone through some tough physical and mental times, and come out on the other side with valuable and concrete lessons to guide me forward. More than ever I value the benefits of rest (yes, I know it’s not rocket science!), and the purpose in not being SO serious all the time, but having some FUN! I’ve also learned to never stop taking my Iron, to always roll out my legs, and to never doubt the usefulness of a good night’s sleep.
Finally, I couldn’t be happier to take this next healthy and balanced step into running with the Oiselle Voilee team! I was recently accepted to the Oiselle team, and I am thrilled to be working with such amazing and motivated women. Seriously, this company is outrageously cool. Not only do they make super flattering and cute running clothes, but they represent some of the fastest and funniest chicks in the professional and recreational running business. They understand what it means to have balance, whether its with family, friends, or business. They represent everyone, from the mom who jogs her block every morning, to superstars like Lauren Fleshman and Kate Grace. They value the sport for what it is, and what it does in bringing together people who just plain love to run!
I encourage you to follow me and my Oiselle teammates on the website below, as results are posted weekly!
Fly Far, Fly Free
http://www.oiselle.com/athletes