Most Tuesdays I will run from my house and over to Chestnut Hill Academy to do a track workout. Today on the training schedule was 5 x 1000 at right around 5:25 pace with an easy lap between each repeat.
So I run over there for my warm up, about 20 minutes, then get on the track and do a couple striders to get my heart rate up. I’ve been feeling better each week in these workouts and all I really wanted was to feel comfortable at that pace today. Little did I know I’d get a better lesson in life…..
I run the first repeat then take an easy lap and as I’m coming around there is a guy walking in lane two and he says, “great job buddy.” I said, “hey thanks man.”
Do the second repeat, take an easy lap and I say to him, “never gets easier!” And he gives a good belly laugh and says, “I know the feeling.”
Do the third repeat, take an easy lap and he shouts, “but this is how you get stronger!” And I said, “heck yea man.”
Do the fourth repeat and easy lap and I see him starting to run along the perimeter of the turf field inside the track and I say, “keep it going man!” He says, “I got this!”
Do the last repeat, he takes another walking lap and as we both finish up he puts his arm up to wave and says, “I’ll see ya later.”
As I’m getting ready for Ironman Lake Placid, it’s hard not to think about results. It’s also been 8 years since I did my last Ironman and with a gap that long it’s almost like I’m training for my first one again.
But today this guy on the track reminded me that the experiences and growth within the journey will always be more important than the results. I’m grateful this guy helped motivate me today and I hope I did a little bit of the same for him.
As I get older and look back on the racing/training part of my life, I believe these are the things I will remember the most.
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