Thru Endurance We Conquer!

I've heard it a lot this year - go big or go home. I've even been guilty of saying it a few times! But then I started pondering the statement. Go big or go home. What does that really mean? Is it the encouraging statement that we mean it to be, the phrase challenging us to step up to the next challenge or a distance that intimidates us? Or does it limit us from really pushing the limits and doing what scares us? Like most things, it can be taken either way. I know a lot of people will toss out Go Big or Go Home when they sign up for a goal race or an event just on the edges of possible. In this context, it's a challenge - if you aren't willing to do something huge where you might fail, why bother trying? That's how I interpret it anyway! Do this crazy thing - go big. And if you don't think you can step to the line, then just go home and do something else, something less epic. If you aren't willing to try, then just quit now. To me, that's not very enco...

This was something I was struggling with as I eased back into running. How could I feel sorry for myself with my running? I was out there, covering the miles. Sure I was walking a little more (okay a lot more in the beginning) then normal. Sure, my pace was significantly slower then normal. I was even moving slower then during my recovery runs after both Stories and Sangre de Cristo! But I was able to get out and move. That was the important part. Everything else would come back later. That’s all easy to say when you are alone, out by yourself and just focused on recovery. It’s a different world when you are immersed in the competitive vibe that is Colorado Springs running. I told myself prior to the Rescue Run - no expectations. Pin the number on and just run what you felt. Staying away from the crowds before the race helped with the no expectations goal. But what would happen once the race started? When everyone I normally ran with took off? I didn’t know would happen at that point...