1. How to win and how to lose.
3. How to persevere.
5. How to set goals and have a positive attitude.
9. How to see the bigger picture.
Athletes know that there’s more to life than just the game. They know that family, friends, faith, and education are what holds the true meaning to life. Athletes; however, have an intense passion for their sport. Engaging in their sport brings them great happiness, purpose, confidence, and health. The sport certainly enriches their lives, but it should not be the be all and end all of their worlds. It is important for athletes to be completely engaged in their activity and to take the necessary steps in their lives to accomplish their goals, but they must remember that there is more to life than the sport. Involvement in sports enhances our lives, but it shouldn’t run our lives.
Well, so there ya go, Dendy! Quit being weak and defeated. Get over yourself. Aren’t you stronger than this? Yes, you are. So I had a lackluster race. Does one lackluster race negate all of my hard training? No. Did I learn an incredible amount about myself on all of those early morning solo training runs? Yes. Am I stronger for all of my training? Yes. Will I use this setback to fuel my fire? Yes.
Back in May, I wrote the words, ” It is truly the way that we respond to setbacks that dictates our future success.” Yes, May Dendy, you are so right … now convince January Dendy of this, please.
So today I am forced to practice what I preach. This experience will make me stronger.
Thank you so much for writing honestly about this! I always thought I would be ok with not meeting my time goals in races, until it happened. I actually cried! Your observations are so spot-on and articulate. I agree with every single one. My bad race happened less than a year ago, and I can already tell you — you will get over this very soon! For about a month I had some anxiety during runs, some dread of my runs, or I felt hopeless about running. And yes, I felt enormously stupid and selfish for being so affected. I think underperforming in the race just unmasked some stress and control-freak issues I’d had been ignoring. Anyway, after going watchless for a few runs and exploring some new trails, I began to feel like myself again. Last December I ran a 5k faster than I ever thought I would be capable of, when I was least expecting for that to happen. I don’t even care about that old bad race anymore! You don’t know what achievements are waiting in the shadows of the future for you. I am still working on letting go of time expectations and keeping them in perspective. As you said, it is so hard to work on something for so long and then not feel the result! I remind myself constantly that the pros don’t PR in every race. Quite the contrary. Racing and running is about so much more. You conquered something much more formidable than a time on a clock. Humidity is no joke. The mental fortitude and wisdom that you gained in this marathon will surely serve you well later! You have so much to be proud of, and no disappointment will ever diminish those things! XO
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Well, this made me tear up, big time! Thank you so much for writing to me. You certainly get it. I’m at that point where I’m on the upswing and looking forward to races again. I turn 40 this month, so I’m super excited about moving up an age group. I will run my first half marathon in the new age group on Feb. 26th and I’m truly looking forward to it. It’s a brand new race, first annual, so maybe it will become a tradition for me. I love the fact that you ran a 5K faster than you ever thought you would. I especially love that it came after a setback. That is just so inspiring. Let’s keep rooting for each other. We got this!
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Sunday was a TOUGH day!! Finishing was a win!! I saw so many people down with heat exhaustion and/or dehydration!
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Yes, you are so right. We all struggled and we all won that day. Thank you & congratulations to you!
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Marathons are such a strange beast, all indicators can point to go for a goal and the tiniest of details can derail an otherwise great race. I think its great that you are able to acknowledge what you did well. Most of us runners are stubborn and it takes time to get over a bad race that you spent so long preparing for. You know your strengths and when you are ready, you will toe the line again. This time, even more prepared. I think what makes a strong runner is our ability to use setbacks to motivate us. Great job.
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Oh, yes. You are so right about runners being stubborn.Yes, setbacks are simply setbacks. Time to learn from them & move on. Thank you for “getting it” and commenting. It’s truly about so much more than just running, isn’t it?
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oh my goodness, I am so sorry. But I love that you are taking the advice of May Dendy! Isn’t it amazing that you wrote that post some time ago and are able to draw strength from it even now?
I totally understand the disappointment, and it is normal. but you are a fighter 🙂
take some time to rest, relax, recover, refresh, etc … and you will get back on that saddle before you know it (if you haven’t already)!
hugs!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you! Yes, it was very weird to read my own words from several months ago. I know the way I should view this, in my heart of hearts, but I still can’t help the emotions I have. It’s truly all good, though. Running is good for us. It humbles us and it teaches us about all of the best things in life. Thank you for being such an awesome running buddy!
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You are welcome, girl! Keep running, as long as you can — find your happy pace 🙂
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Don’t rush to get back in the saddle. Do some runs for fun. Start to enjoy it all again and then look for another opportunity … I feel your pain but it will pass. Use it to make you stronger for the next attempt.
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Excellent advice. Thank you!
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I feel your pain because I’ve certainly had some races I wasn’t happy with. It sucks but you’ve got the right attitude about it now and that’s what’s most important. You’ll get your mojo back before you know it!
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Yes, thank you! Here’s to getting that mojo back!
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Love your post. Definitely inspiring to quote yourself – but so tough to practice what you preach. Here’s hoping “February” Dendy has pushed through the setback. Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs 🙂
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Thank you! Yes, much easier said than done. I’ve moved on & I’m raring to go! Thanks for reading it!
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