PRs

The holiday parties have almost passed. I think towards the end I burnt out like a bright fallen star. It was fun, but I am sure ready to rest! It has been a great holiday season thus far.

It is time to talk about training again, the topic on the back burner.

On my mind todays- PRs. Personal records.

Personal. And Records.

Personal, because running is personal. Right? Do you run to impress others, have a certain time published, or look down your nose at the next person who does not have a "PR" as fast as yours? Or do you run because you enjoy setting personal goals, enjoying the journey, and feeling pride in accomplishment?

I started running somewhere in middle school. I am sure it tied in to soccer somehow, and I remember my cheerleading coach had me run as well. I always enjoyed it, to the point where I remember reading Runner's World in middle school. Was I fast? Heck no! Meredith was fast. Melanie was fast. I was a clumsy, weird kid. I just happened to enjoy the way I felt when I ran.

As a freshman, I joined the track team for the first time. I never particularly liked the actual track workouts, but I really liked it when the coach told us to go run for 20 or 30 minutes. I liked the steady-state running- and I shied away from the "racing in practice" mentality. Maybe it was because I was used to playing soccer with the Meredith's of the world- the genetic speed I would never have. I was resigned to going long rather than going fast. (I am the typical center midfielder- let me use my brain to compensate for my lack of speed.)

Back to PRs. The first PRs I remember is: 6:39 in the mile as a freshman at the Latin Club Convention. Not even a track meet. And I ate pizza right before I ran- that is something I will never forget or repeat. That PR stood for the next...oh....13 or so years? One day, right after a 3000 yard swim practice I met a friend on the track for some running and ran a 6:16 mile. So, that is now my PR. Not an intentional one. I would hope my body's true PR is a lot faster than that, but until I actually go time a mile, that one will have to stand in the books.

As a freshman, I also ran my first local 5k with my two track buddies, Tara and Christine (years and years later, I still remember which buddies ran the race with me). I was an 800 meter runner at the time, but 3.1 miles didn't seem like a big deal. And I am sure I went out at an 800 meter pace as I remember walking somewhere during that race. I also remember my friend's mom passed me. Here I was- my first year in track- and a mom was passing me. (It would be Ms. Allen, BTW- some things you never forget). My new 5k PR was a 28:??. This PR stood for the next 13 years?!!! I never did another 5k until I started doing triathlons. And boy do I remember that 5k at Rebel Man 2006. I was ssooooo excited to run the whole 3.1 miles. No walking- no sireee!!!!

PRs are a symbol of my journey with running. I do my best to not let the number define me as a person or a runner, except for defining my persistence and determination. I have been as proud of a 24 minute 5k in 2006 as I have anything else- because it meant that for the first time I ran faster than an 8 minute mile in a 5k. I was uber-proud earlier this year to run a 23 minute 5k- I am sure other runners thought "boy Damie has gotten slow!" but I thought "yea!!! I can still run after surgery!"

PRs- Personal. and Records. Records are a static period in time. Runners aren't static- we are dynamic and changing. Don't let a number- a recorded place in time- be the definition of your talent and capabilities. I have too many PRs that I know are NOT the reflection of my true running ability. But if I want to change them, I better start racing!

PRs are the guideline and map for your running journey. Don't judge yourself worthy or faster than the next person based on PRs. Use head to head running to race others if you want to compete! Set new PR goals for yourself, and go get them! There is always someone faster and slower than you, so let your PRs be about you and your journey, not the next person's number.