I was going to title this one "2008 was great mate" — but I worried if it was ever read by Kate, she might become irate. Before talking about the year that was, I'll tell you a little about Kate...
She ran with us at Calwell for most of her teenage years. She loved running and racing. She always smiled at our silly welcoming rhymes: "Are you feeling great today Kate?" or "We've had a debate, and it's your fate, to run hill repeats Kate." She was a talented middle-distance runner, clocking 5:03 for the 1500 metres as a 13-year-old. Various injuries and illnesses meant her performances as a junior runner went sideways. Now in her twenties, she works as a personal trainer and runs for fun and fitness.
My 2008 has paralleled Kate's racing career. I finished the year with results pretty much the same as they were at the start. Well — both my 3000 and 5000 are actually a little slower. I believe I can scrape a slight M50 PB in the 3000 before the track season finishes in March, but it would be nowhere near 11:07. That singular goal for the year hasn't been helpful. It was too far away. Would Scott aim to break 2:45 for the marathon before dipping under 3 hours? Next year I'll select a goal for 3000 metres that's more alluring.
Even though I didn't achieve my goal for 2008, I really enjoyed my running. It's all about the journey. Arriving is secondary. I hope you had as much fun as I did, and continue to do so in 2009. Keep writing about it, and I'll keep reading.
She ran with us at Calwell for most of her teenage years. She loved running and racing. She always smiled at our silly welcoming rhymes: "Are you feeling great today Kate?" or "We've had a debate, and it's your fate, to run hill repeats Kate." She was a talented middle-distance runner, clocking 5:03 for the 1500 metres as a 13-year-old. Various injuries and illnesses meant her performances as a junior runner went sideways. Now in her twenties, she works as a personal trainer and runs for fun and fitness.
My 2008 has paralleled Kate's racing career. I finished the year with results pretty much the same as they were at the start. Well — both my 3000 and 5000 are actually a little slower. I believe I can scrape a slight M50 PB in the 3000 before the track season finishes in March, but it would be nowhere near 11:07. That singular goal for the year hasn't been helpful. It was too far away. Would Scott aim to break 2:45 for the marathon before dipping under 3 hours? Next year I'll select a goal for 3000 metres that's more alluring.
Even though I didn't achieve my goal for 2008, I really enjoyed my running. It's all about the journey. Arriving is secondary. I hope you had as much fun as I did, and continue to do so in 2009. Keep writing about it, and I'll keep reading.
22 comments:
There is still 2.5% of this year left to achieve all your goals.
very poetic! :-) If at first you dont succeed try try again, and set some step-up goals along the way, and most of all patience is a virtue. sometimes its just about waiting for the breakthrough day when everything works too. Some days you just hit the zone perfectly and everything works out, but those days dont happen often for many of us...persist...
Great post Ewen! You are right, it's all about the journey. You've had an amazing year. :)
Happy Holidays!
As long as you're enjoying your running, things are looking well.
Better luck with those PBs in 2009!
I look at your training and racing schedule with awe. Your consistency is amazing. You have had some memorable races in 2008 including the City to Surf and the Melbourne 10K (even though it wasn’t your fastest for the year). Both of those races were in weeks that included a rest day. You do a lot of racing – which can itself provide great training and also sociable fun, but maybe there is also value is picking out a few key races in the calendar and tailoring your training to bring you to a peak for those events. A good taper can in itself be quite exciting – putting all your pent up energy into a small number of carefully designed fine tuning sessions can generate quite a frisson, and starting a race with really fresh legs and eager mind can be a wonderful experience. But in the end the quest for PB’s is less important that the enjoyment of running.
You keep writing and we'll keep reading and enjoying your adventures. Great year of very consistent running in my books.
wannabecoach said
It is clear you should now accept fate
That this year has not been so great
If you listen to me
For just a small fee
Next year we can all celebrate
"Would Scott aim to break 2:45 for the marathon before dipping under 3hours?"
Well yes, he was thinking about it. Before he read your blog, that is.
You're such a wet blanket Ewen!
Anyway, all the best for the holiday season. I'm looking forward to the reading as you battle your demons in 2009.
Perhaps the DVD box set of the "Kung Fu" TV series could help you with those PBs.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo
Great post Ewen. It certainly is all about the journey - that's where the enjoyment is. If I arrived I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
Enjoy the rest of 2008 and looking forward to reading about your exploits in 2009.
I heard 2009 was the year of the Wombat. End the decade on a high note. Six Foot or SMH to be decided!
Yep I to have arrived...not the best for me with an injury here & there, but I so enjoyed my running when I was out on the track, roads, trails & paths.
All the best
Stu
well i dont want you running too fast you know ;) it has been a fun year... we must post a where we are at in each of the event-was it across the 4,8,15,3?
It has been a great year Ewen and I have loved sharing yours. All the best for 2009.
The journey is the best part, that's why I always go the long (ie slow) way.
Hope you had a great Christmas. No doubt the odd belly punch or two will fly between us in 2009.
Ewen, i thought I had commented on this already, but obviously it didn't take. . . . i hope your holiday was good and free of fudge, wine and cheese this season.
Hi Ewen, thanks for that tip, I think I've fixed it now. All the best for 09, I hope you reach those goals this year. Shame about your cricket team , what's happening over there?
A goal like 11:07 has a lot of factors beyond your control and if all the a cards fall right it can be .... I have to admit I checked the youtube from Scott and having just spent 2 weeks in China find myself speaking more philosophically .... best wishes for 2009 hope the journey is on the fast train, but if not there is always the scenery, you can't lose.
Hi Ewen,
Re Six foot - if I turn up all attention will be directed to the run itself after Beyond the bLack Stump on January 1.
cheers PLu
Thank you for all the training advices and support that you wrote in my blog throughout the year. They are all very helpful.
All the best in 2009.
"It's all about the journey." I absolutely love that quote. If we focus only on the results and not the hard work, discipline, and dedication that had to first get us to the starting line, we are missing the point. Runners like you and I and so many of the people we blog with have made running such an integral part of our life that the actual results become very secondary.
All the best of luck with everything in '09!
Ewen? You still on vacation?
Susan, I only have vacations in America! I'm actually back at work from "holidays". That and a touch of writer's block explains my absence.
I wanted to write about peaking for races (see Canute's comment). I'm not good at peaking! I have something to write about now, so perhaps another time for that one.
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