In the July 2009 issue of Runner’s World, John “The Penguin” Bingham had a great article entitled “Running Blind: The importance of choosing a path that’s right for you“.
This article kind of struck a note with me and I wanted to share some particular snippets.
In my early days…, I ran like everyone was watching—and judging.
I was so concerned with what other people thought of me that by the time I did open up about running, I constantly worried whether I was living up to their expectations.
To be honest, I felt a certain satisfaction in believing that someone was watching. I really thought that other people cared about my performance.
Lately I’ve been changing how I run. Based on the things I learned in my RRCA coaching certification class I’ve been slowing down on runs. (Lisa did a nice job of outlining The Importance of LSD based on concepts taught in the class.) And even though it’s a conscious decision to make this change in my training, I still feel like other people are going to look at me and judge me.
I post my workouts on the Daily Mile and I’ve been purposefully leaving off my times. I keep a thorough record of all the details for myself (including logging what I ate and wore and weather and EVERYTHING) so I don’t necessarily need the site. There is a fun little “social” aspect to it, but I kind of feel like people would look at my training and think, “Wow… she’s slowing down.”
Logically, I know that isn’t the case. I’ve never once looked at anybody’s pace on there and thought negative thoughts about them. I do notice pace, but it’s usually thinking “I wish I was that fast.” or “Nice effort!” So why would I assume anyone thinks differently of me?
I’m debating whether or not I’m going to keep up the Daily Mile, I think I have enough online activities to occupy my life anyway. And I connect with more people via this site than I do over there.
The Penguin’s article goes on to say:
So I decided I was going to run for me—just me—and gained a new enjoyment from the sport I hadn’t truly experienced yet.
My goal is to be able to run throughout my life, for as long as possible. If I’m a 90-year-old grandma out for a run, that would be cool. So if I’m taking steps to preserve my health and make sure I have longevity in this sport, then I want to do what I need to do for myself. Not be tied to anybody’s else’s (self-perceived) thoughts of what I should do. After all, I have to be with myself first and foremost before anyone else so I might as well do what I want with my running.
So I guess my goal is thusly, as summed up in the article:
I’ve learned to run like no one is watching.
Jill Will Run 
Right on!!!
Great post.
Great insight, jill. I see your workouts on Daily Mile and I don’t really notice your pace, but I do see that you’re out running and that helps to keep me motivated too.
Speed seems to be the “big thing” within running. I was out with a friend of mine a couple weeks ago and while she pushed my pace, I slowed hers. It was an interesting run. I didn’t really enjoy it, but I didn’t feel overly worse when I was finished either.
So running for your own self is key. It’s like the sign my friends saw during their half marathon, “You are your own motivation.” 🙂 And my own personal fave, “Be your own superhero.” 🙂
Those are great quotes, thanks for sharing them here!
I too have felt like there are too many social sites out there, and that’s why I’ve not used daily mile since signing up. I just have too many places to update, so as you can see, I don’t do them all (when’s the last time I went onto facebook? can’t remember!)
I think your attitude toward running is very healthy, and it’s something I’ve been trying to say to myself lately – which is more important – this next workout or running for the rest of your life? and for me, the long term is more important.
When I was studying for the bar exam, someone said to me, “don’t worry what everyone else is doing, and run your own race.” Good advice for that test, and for life, and for running, literally.
The whole “run your own race” is such good advice… for every area of life like you said. My problem is that I always seem to forget that. Maybe I should get it tattooed on my arm! 🙂
You know I agree with you! Keep running for you.
I totally meant to reply to this after I read it. I thought I did, but I guess not. Have you ever done that?
I am right there with you. Run for yourself. So many times I get caught up with who is running what. I also findmyself wondering what my fellow runners (many of whom I have never met) will think of my performance on a given day. I’ll miss you on Daily Mile, but I totally get it. That is why I haven’t really tried to figure out Twitter. One more time suck? No thanks.
I am really looking forward to meeting you on Friday. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone how slow you are *wink* LOL.
Yep, I’ve totally thought I posted a comment on someone’s site and then realized that I hadn’t! It’s all those time sucks eating up our lives! 🙂
I’ll try not to hold you back too much! 😉