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Need Inspiration?

December 8, 2011 by Kristy 12 Comments

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?  

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Boston Marathon, Olympic marathon trials

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RunToTheFinish says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:56 am

    holy cow. I always have the motivation to run…but to push myself really hard is a totally different story

    Reply
  2. Kara says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:56 am

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:57 am

    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!

    Reply
  4. countryfishrunning says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:15 am

    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…

    Reply
  5. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchen says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:17 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kristy says

      December 8, 2011 at 6:18 pm

      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!!!

      Reply
  6. Running Girl says

    December 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. RAS says

    December 8, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    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.

    Reply
  8. Alyssa says

    December 8, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    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.

    Reply
  9. thethinksicanthink says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
  10. runningseal says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    OMIGOSH! That is totally inspiring!! Off to read her story!!

    Reply
  11. Terzah says

    December 11, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    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.”

    Reply

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