Something Needs To Be Said: I'm Slow

*Warning - this post may be long, but I'm having some bloggy backup and need to get this all out today, thanks for hanging in there with me. If you feel this post will help someone you know that is a new/slower runner, please feel free to share/repost. *

Do not let what you can't do interfere with what you can do. - John Wooden

I need to start at the beginning. I began writing this blog as a beginner runner for beginner runners. I'm still new, and that's perfectly fine for me. I want this blog to be a place where other beginners can see that what they're going through is normal. That they probably won't start out at, or reach, an eight-minute-mile right away (or ever in their first year!). That being new and being slow is O-K. That walking is not something to be ashamed of. I read a lot of blogs/articles/etc from 'elite' or 'experienced' runners that put down walking breaks, jogging, or anything over a 10-minute-mile. I just think this sends out the wrong message to a new runner, and is one of the reasons so many new runners give up the sport early on.  I've been told I'm not a 'real' runner. That anyone can 'walk' 13 miles, that it's not something to be proud of. And what I have to say to all of that is: bullshit.

I went out on a  12 mile long run today and beat myself up, broke down in tears, because I felt like it wasn't worth finishing if I couldn't keep a fast pace. Why?? What put that idea in my head? The answer is: other people. Why do I listen to them? Because I have no one to tell me not to, no one (other than my amazingly supportive hubster) to say it's ok to be slow, it's ok to push your hardest and still finish a half-marathon in 3 hours. No one out there tells people: Hey! You're out there training every darn weekend, building your mileage, sweating and 'wogging' (that's walking and jogging for any new readers) your heart out, BE PROUD! Too often new runners are only given information that leads them to believe they're not 'normal' if they are over a 10-minute-mile, that they aren't 'real' runners, and are just 'in the way' of all the 'real' runners on the race course. Well let me give you some reasons why we ARE 'real' runners:

1. We're slow, so we put in more time than faster runners during our training. But we also get our money's worth at races - enjoying the course longer. :)
2. We're new, so not only are we pushing our body to do something hard, but also pushing it to do something it has NEVER done before. We're in uncharted territory here. 
3. We're dedicated - you think it's easy being out amongst the fast runners and having to walk? NO - we aren't enjoying it, but we aren't giving up either.
4. We're determined - we know we're at the back of the pack, we know we'll be amongst the last to finish, we know the faster runners will have eaten most of the bananas and drank all the free smoothies by time we get to the finish, and we also know that we'll have the fewest people in the cheering section because we're last - but we run on. We don't give up or give in. We keep going. 
5. We're proud - or at least we should be. It's not easy keeping your chin up and saying 'I run a 12 minute mile' when you're amongst a group of runners, but we're proud enough of what we've accomplished that we do it.

So what, in all of that, makes me a 'fake' runner? Nothing.

I have really enjoyed reading the works of Jeff Galloway and John Bingham since I started running. In fact, if you're a slow/new runner looking for some amazing support and inspiration, I highly encourage you to do two things:

• Research and implement the Galloway training method into your runs
• Go out and purchase John Bingham's 'The Courage To Start'

These are two things that have helped me exponentially in my running.

All in all I just want to say, it's ok to be slow. You're not alone. In fact, I'll bet there are a lot of runners out there that are slow but too ashamed to admit to it. Instead they just allude to distances completed, not times. 
But please remember, what you're doing is amazing. Running is NOT easy. It is a struggle, but it is also an adventure. And we're just going to enjoy the adventure a little longer than those other, faster, runners.

"In many races, the better the time I was having, the slower my time would be." - John Bingham, 'The Courage To Start'

"When I focused exclusively on how fast I was running, I stopped noticing everything else. I ran right by some beautiful sunrises. I ran through the serenity that had attracted me to running in the first place. Being a faster runner didn't make me enjoy running any more than I had when I was slower." - John Bingham, "The Courage To Start"

PS - I'm not saying all 'elite' and 'experienced' runners share in these feelings towards us 'newbies', I'm just pointing to the fact that a majority of running information out there for beginners is aimed at people who can already run a 10 minute mile. I have learned, and continue to learn, a wealth of information from my more experienced friends/blog buddies, and I'm eternally grateful to them all for their support.

Run slow my friends, run slow. :)

PSS - I finished my 12 miles today, at a 14m/mile pace. It was hard. I cried. And I wanted to quit. But my hubster helped push me through. I'm done with my training for the 1/2 (which I will be walking a lot of and am perfectly fine with) and am ready to enjoy two weeks of shorter runs. I'll see some of you at the Wine & Dine on 10/2!

By the way - If you are not already a follower, you need to check out Busy Running Mama . She is an AMAZING person, and is hosting a great giveaway. Please go show her some blog love and become a follower! :)