Today I’m thinking out loud with the lovely Amanda. Join us!
The past few days here have been divine. After a winter with record warmth, the groundhog was right: spring has come early. At least for this week. It got up into the 70’s here the other day and I had my first truly “hot” run of the year. Not complaining.
Running in a tank top in March? Yes please!
What I will complain about are the people on IG that message me selling services the instant I like one of their pics. All they’re doing is guaranteeing I’ll unfollow.
I sat pondering this yesterday. I ran two Chicago Marathons (07 and 10), both hot, then swore it off for good. So why was I contemplating a 3-peat? I’m not sure. Don’t worry, I came to my senses.
I met a new swim coach at the pool the other day. I was watching other swimmers and asked him what the secret was to gliding with seemingly little effort. He looked at me and said “you don’t have a swimmer’s body so gliding will always be an effort for you.” He went on to tell me how swimmers are tall with a long, buoyant torso and short legs. The polar opposite to my leggy (it’s all relative) 5’2″ frame with preposterously short torso that’s better suited to gymnastics. While I was taken aback by his directness, I was not offended. He was simply stating fact and I’m good with that. But part of me hopes I’ll never lean on this as an excuse. Maybe I’ll never light the world on fire in the pool. I can still do the best I can with what I have.
Speaking of buoyant, ok not really, have you tried one of the new smoked butterscotch drinks at Starbucks? Even with half the sweetener, the frapp I had was rather tasty. Not an every week thing though, by any means.
Your turn: have you defied the odds and done something others said you’d never do? Are you in/have you won any marathon lotteries? Fave Starbucks drink?
Well…maybe I have runner’s body (?), I certainly don’t have a swimmer’s bod (I have the height, 5’9, but all my height is in my legs). I have defied all of my doubts…never ever thought I’d be a runner (because I was raised to believe runners were “fast”). Then when I finally figured out that runners have all kinds of speeds/abilities, I never dreamed I’d run beyond a 5K. Or 13.1 miles. And 26.2 miles…..ha! Surely you jest! (Well, I have done 26.2 miles three times, and I’ve done an Ultra. No lotteries for me (yet…#staytuned). My Starbucks beverage of choice is chai latte’ 😉
I am loving the warmer weather this week too! Not sure how I would have felt if someone told that to me about swimming! Well, I may not have cared too much since swimming is really not my thing, but I’m glad you’re not going to let his comment hold you back!
We’ve had wonderful weather too! Think we’re done with winter weather? Same with me on IG. #unfollow Chicago is one of my all time favorite races.
At 5’1″ I don’t think I have a build for any of the sports I love! I really don’t like my Starbucks sweet, so I order “1 pump” grandes. Probably chai tea latte is my favorite.
I was told that I didn’t have the right physique for long distance running and that with the structure of my hips, I would get hurt over and over. Good thing I never listen – right? I thought about signing up for Chicago for about a minute, too. And…. no.
I’m loving the weather here too and got a run in everyday this week so far!
I’m a sucker for a Starbucks frappe and am always anxious to try the “feature” flavors. However, I just can not bring myself to order a drink that has the word “smokey” in the title. I know it’s weird.
I am struggling with whether or not to sign up for the Chicago lottery! I either want to try to PR this fall OR run Chicago. I am leaning toward running closer to home and going for a PR. I’m not getting any younger!
I was glad to read his words did not bother you, It shouldn’t I mean it’s one person’s opinion, whether you agree or not. I think when people tell us we are unlikely to do this or that, it just makes us work harder. I’m having too much fun right now to even think of training for another marathon.
I keep meaning to try the new Starbucks drink! I’ll have to remember to ask for half though – thats a good idea.
This spring weather has me giddy – I hope it lasts! I’m glad you weren’t bother by that coach’s comments – one person’s opinion. Oh and I’m the same way about IG and peddling services – a sure way for me to hit the unfollow button!
I love excuses to fail. I tend to build them into my races and find comfort during when I lean on them. Then, after the race, I think about how I could have done better if… I just had this discussion with a friend yesterday. It’s something I’ll be working on this weekend at my race, the mental struggle between going for something and possibly failing and feeling bad about it vs. NOT going for something and likely failing and feeling bad about it.
At my last half marathon I ran for the first time with a friend who runs all the time. She dropped back after the first 9 miles. There’s no way on paper I should be faster than her. She trains more often and has much more of a runner’s body than I do. Your non-swimmer’s body may not be an advantage, but it doesn’t outweigh your mental strength and training.
I don’t like all the crazy wrap people on IG- if I want to do that- I have cling wrap in the kitchen counter! I am loving the weather- cool in the morning and nice warm afternoons 🙂 No lotteries for this girl!
I don’t have a body for anything, probably. But if we listened to the things people told us we couldn’t do, we would just sit on the couch.
I would like to do Chicago sometime but I hate that it’s a lottery. And as I’ve learned with the school lottery here for montessori spots, I have no luck. Plus, it’s expensive. I’ll have just as good of a time at Monumental for far less money.
I’m debating entering the MCM lottery at the end of the month. But I may also just sign up for Steamtown again because I loved it and because it fits nicely into my schedule.
I gotta try that drink, even though I don’t ever drink Starbucks drinks…just coffee. Sounds like an awesome treat, though!
OKAY, GET THIS.
Now I ain’t tryin’ to tell you how to live your life, I’m just sayin’ —
1st Chicago Marathon (2009) – 5:25
2nd Chicago Marathon (2012) – 4:45
3rd Chicago Marathon (2014) – 3:59:56
Moral of the story ———-> third time’s the charm?:)
I am all legs too, I guess we were not meant to be elite swimmers, but we are still awesome.
I haven’t even finished my first marathon and I am already thinking about a fall marathon ! Ugh. Am I crazy ?
Fascinating thought about a swimmers body. I’ve got almost the opposite of that – short torso and longer legs/thighs. Good for cycling. Not so much for swimming. And I have small feet and hands. Oh well. It’s good exercise even if I’m never meant to be keeping up with the older guys in my masters class that have been doing it all their lives!
I am going back and forth on whether to apply for the Chicago Marathon lottery. I miss the days where you could register at free will just a few weeks before race day! Sigh.
This weather has been amazing– I signed up for Chicago– EEK!! I did 2006 (it snowed at the start) and 2010– the hot year… wonder what it will be like this year!
I don’t have a swimmer’s body either which is why I’m probably so horrible at it! I have gotten into the women’s Nike SF lottery once and it took me 3 tries. I’m hoping to try for the Chicago marathon lottery this year to be my first full. Keeping my fingers crossed…
Well, I started a business with the idea that at least I’d have a cool computer.
It really wasn’t super successful, more like spending money, but it lasted 13 yrs — I’d still be doing, it too, if I hadn’t burned out on it.
Its has been beautiful here in NJ. I know what you mean about people reaching out to you and only wanting to sell their products, it is so annoying. It’s funny I am a podiatrist and I see some people that have such flat feet but yet they are great runners. So i have come to believe the old adage “you can not judge a book by a cover”. Just because you don’t fit a certain mold, that doesn’t always means anything.
I love the iced coffee at Starbucks but the butterscotch drink looks delicious. So no Chicago Marathon for you? I am signing up soon as I have guaranteed entry from last year. 🙂