It’s amazing to see these people break through these barriers because they do so for us all as well as for themselves.
There’s something amazing about watching a world class athlete in their prime doing something incredible. For my generation I think of Usain Bolt. In Beijing, you just knew he was about to do something amazing and when he looked back before crossing the finishing line, he knew he’d done something amazing too.
But we’re all incredible in our own ways. The chances of us all just being here,together right now, is literally billions to 1.
Terrific writing once again. Humbled by you inserting me in the same paragraphs as the iconic Bannister but your point is quite valid and that is why I love road running since you are running with the elites and even though they my be twice as fast or faster at getting to the finish line, you still are pushing yourself through the same psychological resistance the elites experience. That knowledge is invaluable.
Here, past the end of my training/racing life, motivation is much more difficult to sustain. 50 years of multi-sport training has used up most of my piss&vinegar. Rainy and cold days are more tempting for indoor hobbies. Recovery takes centuries. And yet I don't want to turn into a couch potato. So, I still go out and shuffle down the trails and paddle the kayak up and downstream. I enjoy the scenery more now and it keeps me sane.
I love this post so much - so inspiring! Thank you, Terrell. To mark my 50th bday this year, I have resolved to run all of the Abbott marathons. I ran NYC a few years ago, London last month, Berlin in September - and then the rest (Tokyo, Chicago, Boston) when I can get into them. :) I am not going to win any awards, but this challenge is so meaningful to me.
Kudos to all as you make and work towards your own milestones!
Alex this is so amazing!! This rings a bell for me, as you may have told me before. I'm seriously in awe of your goal, and the way you're going about it, placing them around your birthday as a celebration like that. How was the London Marathon? I've only seen photos, but it looks just incredible.
My husband is on this same quest - started at age 58 and now age 62, he's run Chicago, Berlin and Boston (this year), all while dealing with a broken foot 3x. He's running NYC this fall, and making plans for London next year. That just leaves Tokyo, then he swears he'll "just" run half-marathons. Good luck to you!
Congrats to your husband, especially while nursing a broken foot! NYC is so great - the crowds are out of this world. Thanks so much for the good wishes. :)
Just to be clear, I walked 80% and ran 20% due to a badly blistered left foot. It was a struggle but I just wanted to know what my pain threshold was. I thought I found it after completing mile 17 but wanted to see if the body could give me a bit more.. and it gave me 3 more tough miles. I have been hobbling about for a couple of days but I have a perpetual smile on my face. It was soo worth those last 3 miles‼️
As mentioned, got half #131 done in Kenosha this past Saturday. Fargo on 6/1 - virtually. To my fellow members of this great running community, set meaningful goals, stay healthy, and have fun achieving those goals
Shucks, I thought you were going to Fargo! Fast and flat, I've always wanted to run that one, but then I lived in ND for 11 years! Should be a hot one this year!
Good thoughts as always Terrell. But I slept in this morning after finishing my 14th Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon yesterday. The only race that I’ve run all of. That doesn’t look like a structurally correct sentence. I will, however, be back out there bright & early tomorrow.
I’ve never considered the physiological barriers of achieving this feat before, just the physical. I forget so easily that the mental fortitude it takes to achieve greatness is perhaps the most vital, most challenging quality one needs. Excellent perspective! Thank you.
Great post! Loved Polina's story - and what a blisteringly fast half that was! Wow. Events are what motivates me, usually. To have something to train for keeps me on schedule and running even when I don't want to. Just ran the National Women's Half in D.C. yesterday and beat last year's time by 13 seconds. It wasn't pretty, but I did it.
Your river seems higher. . .has it been raining? Congrats to all who have been running. I've been walking and enjoying the cold and damp. Motivation is not hard at all if you make yourself keep the same time
It has been! We've had some rain -- and, they're probably releasing more water from our reservoir into the Chattahoochee. (Not that that's all that interesting... :)
Thanks for the Motivation the grind was starting to get to me way to early in this training cycle. I lost on of my motivators as I changed jobs and I have way less stress to motivate me to get out and burn it off.
Now that's interesting, Mike -- how those stressors, which seem bad, can actually prod us to get out there and run. Glad to hear the stress is gone, though, or at least reduced. How are you liking the new job?
Liking the new position, what is really bad is I did not see the stress until it was removed. Now I see it more clearly in my new position so I can avoid it.
Terrell, thanks for this piece. I was feeling ho-hum about getting out there today even though it’s a short run day. Thanks for this motivation, I’ll get that run in! I always feel better after a run, a sense of accomplishment and peace, and becoming re-spirited.
So glad to hear that, Lisa! One more thing: I meant to include your link for your upcoming race and completely forgot! I'll add it in the next one, for sure.
Great point on motivation. Reminding ourselves what we have done and what others have done is a good way to do it. It's amazing that Bannister's 'impossible' record has been broken 100's of times since. Psychological barrier indeed! Thanks for writing, I just subscribed.
Thank you, JFT! It is such a fascinating thing about Bannister's record -- after he did it, it became suddenly possible in a way it wasn't before. Just amazing.
Funny how whenever I have been away from Substack for a little while, the first thing I read when I come back is always something I really need to read. This is something I needed to read for sure. I’ve had a tricky couple of weeks trying to keep up with my 10km training program and finally got back to doing a decent 7km easy run tonight. But, I’ve been so used to running at night or early mornings in the cold and now the sunny warm weather is here it’s quite a shock to the system. Tonight was a challenge, my time nowhere near what I can do and I felt quite low afterwards instead of my usual high. But I’m in it for the long haul and reading this tonight really helped me to put things into perspective. Thank you for another wonderful, reflective post.
Thanks Nilima. I needed to shake things up a bit and get back on the fitness journey so I can appreciate running in Spring, Summer and Fall. Perhaps I will also return to Winter running. All I know for sure is that a healthy lifestyle (early to bed/early to rise/ Vegan diet… re-watched documentary, EARTHLINGS + yoga, meditation and running) suits my needs best…. 🤗👣🤗
Check out “Unchained” TV. Free App. Created because mainstream TV & news never or seldom runs stories about Veganism, Climate Change, Animal Agriculture for fear of losing advertising. Incredible free resource for all things Vegan etc. CAUTION: If you watch “EARTHLINGS” your heart and tear ducts will open full throttle, you may never eat an animal again, or an egg or a piece of cheese or drink a glass of milk. You will open your arteries, protect the planet, help mitigate Climate Change and protect every living being. Terrell, please watch‼️♥️‼️
It’s amazing to see these people break through these barriers because they do so for us all as well as for themselves.
There’s something amazing about watching a world class athlete in their prime doing something incredible. For my generation I think of Usain Bolt. In Beijing, you just knew he was about to do something amazing and when he looked back before crossing the finishing line, he knew he’d done something amazing too.
But we’re all incredible in our own ways. The chances of us all just being here,together right now, is literally billions to 1.
So here’s to the incredible you. 🍺
So true, Martin!
Terrific writing once again. Humbled by you inserting me in the same paragraphs as the iconic Bannister but your point is quite valid and that is why I love road running since you are running with the elites and even though they my be twice as fast or faster at getting to the finish line, you still are pushing yourself through the same psychological resistance the elites experience. That knowledge is invaluable.
Run -walk - waddle - whatever …. Ya’ did it!
Thank you David. I plan to be better trained for the next one…‼️👣‼️
Keep it up, Clark. . . :)
Here, past the end of my training/racing life, motivation is much more difficult to sustain. 50 years of multi-sport training has used up most of my piss&vinegar. Rainy and cold days are more tempting for indoor hobbies. Recovery takes centuries. And yet I don't want to turn into a couch potato. So, I still go out and shuffle down the trails and paddle the kayak up and downstream. I enjoy the scenery more now and it keeps me sane.
I hear you, Jerry -- on all of the above. And I love that you find it in you to "still go out and shuffle down the trails"... love this.
I love this post so much - so inspiring! Thank you, Terrell. To mark my 50th bday this year, I have resolved to run all of the Abbott marathons. I ran NYC a few years ago, London last month, Berlin in September - and then the rest (Tokyo, Chicago, Boston) when I can get into them. :) I am not going to win any awards, but this challenge is so meaningful to me.
Kudos to all as you make and work towards your own milestones!
Alex this is so amazing!! This rings a bell for me, as you may have told me before. I'm seriously in awe of your goal, and the way you're going about it, placing them around your birthday as a celebration like that. How was the London Marathon? I've only seen photos, but it looks just incredible.
Aw, thank you, Terrell! It was amazing - so hard and so good. :)
My husband is on this same quest - started at age 58 and now age 62, he's run Chicago, Berlin and Boston (this year), all while dealing with a broken foot 3x. He's running NYC this fall, and making plans for London next year. That just leaves Tokyo, then he swears he'll "just" run half-marathons. Good luck to you!
Congrats to your husband, especially while nursing a broken foot! NYC is so great - the crowds are out of this world. Thanks so much for the good wishes. :)
Lofty goals … stay healthy!
Just to be clear, I walked 80% and ran 20% due to a badly blistered left foot. It was a struggle but I just wanted to know what my pain threshold was. I thought I found it after completing mile 17 but wanted to see if the body could give me a bit more.. and it gave me 3 more tough miles. I have been hobbling about for a couple of days but I have a perpetual smile on my face. It was soo worth those last 3 miles‼️
As mentioned, got half #131 done in Kenosha this past Saturday. Fargo on 6/1 - virtually. To my fellow members of this great running community, set meaningful goals, stay healthy, and have fun achieving those goals
Shucks, I thought you were going to Fargo! Fast and flat, I've always wanted to run that one, but then I lived in ND for 11 years! Should be a hot one this year!
Good thoughts as always Terrell. But I slept in this morning after finishing my 14th Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon yesterday. The only race that I’ve run all of. That doesn’t look like a structurally correct sentence. I will, however, be back out there bright & early tomorrow.
I’ve never considered the physiological barriers of achieving this feat before, just the physical. I forget so easily that the mental fortitude it takes to achieve greatness is perhaps the most vital, most challenging quality one needs. Excellent perspective! Thank you.
In my run coach training they told us, “90% of running is mental; the rest is in your head” 😉
That's perfect! I love that!!
Haha that’s brilliant
*I’ve never considered the psychological barriers. Oops.
Great post! Loved Polina's story - and what a blisteringly fast half that was! Wow. Events are what motivates me, usually. To have something to train for keeps me on schedule and running even when I don't want to. Just ran the National Women's Half in D.C. yesterday and beat last year's time by 13 seconds. It wasn't pretty, but I did it.
That's so awesome, Julie! Hey -- a win is a win! :)
Right?!
Your river seems higher. . .has it been raining? Congrats to all who have been running. I've been walking and enjoying the cold and damp. Motivation is not hard at all if you make yourself keep the same time
every day. Not easy but it works. . . :)
It has been! We've had some rain -- and, they're probably releasing more water from our reservoir into the Chattahoochee. (Not that that's all that interesting... :)
To a weather geek, it is! You've sure had a lot of water down there. Off on a walk. . . Farmer's Market opens today! :)
Thanks for the Motivation the grind was starting to get to me way to early in this training cycle. I lost on of my motivators as I changed jobs and I have way less stress to motivate me to get out and burn it off.
Now that's interesting, Mike -- how those stressors, which seem bad, can actually prod us to get out there and run. Glad to hear the stress is gone, though, or at least reduced. How are you liking the new job?
Liking the new position, what is really bad is I did not see the stress until it was removed. Now I see it more clearly in my new position so I can avoid it.
Terrell, thanks for this piece. I was feeling ho-hum about getting out there today even though it’s a short run day. Thanks for this motivation, I’ll get that run in! I always feel better after a run, a sense of accomplishment and peace, and becoming re-spirited.
So glad to hear that, Lisa! One more thing: I meant to include your link for your upcoming race and completely forgot! I'll add it in the next one, for sure.
Thanks! And, I got out there for a five mile run even in 35 mph winds. More of a full body workout. Ha. Thanks for the motivation!
Great point on motivation. Reminding ourselves what we have done and what others have done is a good way to do it. It's amazing that Bannister's 'impossible' record has been broken 100's of times since. Psychological barrier indeed! Thanks for writing, I just subscribed.
Thank you, JFT! It is such a fascinating thing about Bannister's record -- after he did it, it became suddenly possible in a way it wasn't before. Just amazing.
Funny how whenever I have been away from Substack for a little while, the first thing I read when I come back is always something I really need to read. This is something I needed to read for sure. I’ve had a tricky couple of weeks trying to keep up with my 10km training program and finally got back to doing a decent 7km easy run tonight. But, I’ve been so used to running at night or early mornings in the cold and now the sunny warm weather is here it’s quite a shock to the system. Tonight was a challenge, my time nowhere near what I can do and I felt quite low afterwards instead of my usual high. But I’m in it for the long haul and reading this tonight really helped me to put things into perspective. Thank you for another wonderful, reflective post.
Thank you, Dawud! It means the world to me that it resonated with you the way it did. Really glad to hear it! 🙌
Thanks Nilima. I needed to shake things up a bit and get back on the fitness journey so I can appreciate running in Spring, Summer and Fall. Perhaps I will also return to Winter running. All I know for sure is that a healthy lifestyle (early to bed/early to rise/ Vegan diet… re-watched documentary, EARTHLINGS + yoga, meditation and running) suits my needs best…. 🤗👣🤗
Is that on Netflix?
Check out “Unchained” TV. Free App. Created because mainstream TV & news never or seldom runs stories about Veganism, Climate Change, Animal Agriculture for fear of losing advertising. Incredible free resource for all things Vegan etc. CAUTION: If you watch “EARTHLINGS” your heart and tear ducts will open full throttle, you may never eat an animal again, or an egg or a piece of cheese or drink a glass of milk. You will open your arteries, protect the planet, help mitigate Climate Change and protect every living being. Terrell, please watch‼️♥️‼️
Great post - Motivation is fleeting, discipline is what sustains.