Tuesday, August 13, 2024 – Trying

Hi Everyone!

Huge congrats to racers this past weekend. At the Barrie triathlon we had the super duo of Adam and Karen who competed in the Barrie triathlon and duathlon respectively. Of note, Karen came top 10 female and 4^th in her age group! At the Sunset Shuffle, Monica came 7^th overall female and first in her age group with a well under 20 minute 5K! And both Bob G and Zoë came first in their age groups in the same race! Way to go crew!!!

With the women’s marathon, the Olympics came to a close this past weekend. I know it’s cliché to talk about how much I love the Olympics, but man – the effort that everyone puts forth out there! The drama and emotion isn’t only played out at the front. There is a story behind every single athlete there, and each person who competed was out there trying their absolute hardest. I think that’s why we love it so much. And it’s why we appreciate and cheer for all the athletes out there – because no one is there just to be there. They are all really, really trying.

I can get emotional when I see people trying to do their best. It’s why I love watching races, and sometimes even just people out running on their own without any fanfare or accolades. I often want to cheer strangers on and say “way to go!” (sometimes I actually do). Maybe it was the post-Olympic mood I was in, but the other day as I drove my teenager to his job early in the morning, I noticed everyone out doing their thing and had a wave of emotion for all of them. A young teenager rode past on her bike, obviously on her way to a summer job. Workers were grabbing coffee before starting a long day. Runners were out training, getting it in during their only window available. And I thought – here we are – all trying our best. We’re not all winning. Some of us feel like we’re barely managing. But all we can ask of ourselves and others is that we try. And keep trying. I keep reminding myself of that as I move through stressful events and things I don’t think I’m “winning” at. I leave my to-do list unfinished most days, my house is not the most organized and there is always laundry in some state of undone, I don’t do as much strength work as I should, I have friends who I care about who I don’t call enough, I am not running quite as fast as I used to, I’m not sure if I’m doing all the right things in raising teenagers… I would call myself a serious mid-packer in most areas. But I get up every day and I try. That’s what I often ask myself when I feel like I’m failing. Are you trying? Usually the answer is yes. Then I tell myself I’m proud of myself and am ok with it. That’s all we can ask of ourselves. And of others.

Most of the athletes at the Olympics did not win medals. Every event had a last place finisher. No one would ever say they weren’t great for showing up and trying. That’s what it’s about. That’s why it’s so inspiring. So keep showing up. Keep trying. Odds are, you probably won’t win (but you might!) But that’s not the point. You’re an inspiration for your effort, not your results. And I appreciate that in all of you – more than you know.

On to tomorrow’s workout: Lakeshore and Leslie! 6:05 Drills, 6:15 GO!

1. 2 sets of (mile-800-600). 2 min bw reps, 3-4 min bw sets. I’m thinking somewhere between tempo and 10K for the mile and pick it up slightly for the next two. This isn’t about going fast. This one is about building some strength through volume. This is geared towards fall marathoners.
2. People still racing! That is late season triathlons or any more 5K’s. 1 set of mile-800-600. Then 5 x 400 w 1:15 rest.
3. Anyone racing the TrackSmith 5K: 5-6 x 400 @ race pace w 1:15 rest.

That is all – see you in the am!

xo

Seanna