I must admit I’m having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning to run. It’s dark (and now cold). I’m technically only in what I call “pre-training” for Boston. So there’s no plan to follow. My main goals of pre-training are to build my base back up and regain my speed (i.e., more boring runs than fun ones).
So I’m in need of some inspiration. I saw this article on Twitter yesterday and found it so inspiring. It’s short but if you don’t want to read it, here’s the jist…
Erin O’Mara runs marathon #1 in 4:08:08 in 2006.
Erin O’Mara runs marathon #7 in 2:43:55 this past Sunday….and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials! Let’s look at the math…
marathon #1, 9:27 avg pace
marathon #7, 6:15 avg pace
Astounding. Incredible. Amazing.
I won’t call her an ordinary runner, because she’s clearly not. But I highly doubt any of the other qualifiers ran their first marathon in 4:08. She worked her ass off, and that is impressive and inspiring.
What’s inspiring you to run these days?
holy cow. I always have the motivation to run…but to push myself really hard is a totally different story
I’m not going to lie, my main inspiration for running outside is that the dog needs a run. Also, I have the privilege of waiting until it’s sunny. Not having a job makes fitting in a run a lot easier. 🙂
that is AWESOME! And it gives me hope on getting faster! Right now, what’s inspiring me to run (or get back to running) is just how much I miss it and want it back in my life!
My inspiration to train and run the MCM comes from the fact that I know this is probably the one thing I cannot in my life and therefore, I want to do it…
That is awesome and so inspiring! My goal is to qualify for Boston one day and sometimes I feel so far away from it, but I love stories like this that show me other people have dropped their times significantly too, thanks for sharing!
Beth, my first marathon time was 5:20ish and my last marathon (my 9th) was a 3:43 (BQ). It is POSSIBLE to take off huge chunks of time. you can definitely do it!!!
That is totally awesome! My current inspiration is just that I can run again after my injury! It’s hard to resist, and I’m like a dork, smiling on the treadmill, just happy I can do it again.
Great POST! I read this right before I got up this morning and felt inspired to get some good workouts in!
Hmm… what’s inspiring me these days? I guess, getting back into good running shape — or wait, even better running shape, post-pregnancy. We want to start trying for baby #2 soon, so I’m trying to get some good races in with PRs before I have to start wunning pregnant again. I wish a nice vacation to an island is what’s keeping me inspired… but yeah, that sh*t ain’t happenin.
Love it – and as I posted today, I’m serious need of some motivation too! But, on the other hand, I want to take advantage of not having a training plan, and enjoy the luxury of relaxing and not running if I don’t feel like it. Yup, outside is dark and cold, and the bed is soft and warm so…..there’s a clear winner.
I read that article — how cool for her! Truly an amazing accomplishment.
Hmm, my inspiration right now? I like going to read blog posts from people who have been injured and how they stayed motivated.
OMIGOSH! That is totally inspiring!! Off to read her story!!
Loved that article! My favorite part is what she said here, because it shows you how just need to keep trying:
“I was just so glad to finally have it, because I worked so hard. I felt like I had the fitness so many times, but things weren’t coming together. I’d be really fit and not have good weather, or be semi-fit and have good weather, or I’d hit a rough patch, or I’d go into it not having the right attitude. For this one, things were going well the last few weeks of my training. I had the best attitude I had going into my recent marathons. That really helped. I told myself I was going to do it.”