tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post7993418256360663804..comments2024-03-26T18:32:50.307-05:00Comments on Taking the Long Way Home: The egoWendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-53203834822102181782015-04-16T07:42:46.728-05:002015-04-16T07:42:46.728-05:00I know that feeling of inadequacy, which is what p...I know that feeling of inadequacy, which is what pushed me to do my first marathon. And it was a disaster. Don't push yourself if you don't want to. And it's never "just a half". Judging by all the 13.1 stickers I see on the backs of cars, a half is a pretty big deal!Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-29793504472040977672015-04-14T17:30:00.595-05:002015-04-14T17:30:00.595-05:00Maybe this wisdom comes with time? Someone told me...Maybe this wisdom comes with time? Someone told me I'm insightful, and I find your response truly amazing--and insightful. I'd like to think I leave my ego at the back door, and I'm getting better about it, but I still push myself at times when it might be better to stop. I think I still have some unfinished business.Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-23766156500278350702015-04-14T17:28:22.146-05:002015-04-14T17:28:22.146-05:00I know, I keep seeing that gif too...lol...I know, I keep seeing that gif too...lol...Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-49872600471134027372015-04-14T08:43:32.633-05:002015-04-14T08:43:32.633-05:00Great post. Great thoughts. I have no running ego....Great post. Great thoughts. I have no running ego. I think this may be from starting this passion so much later in life, because I am super competitive innately. I think of personal running successes and "trials" the way I think about my grandkids' endeavors... Did you do your best today? Did you give up? Was your sportsmanship level in HIGH gear? If you're disappointed, can you identify some things to work on? Let's talk about it. Etc. Etc. Etc. <br /><br />Of course, I LOVE running what I consider fast for me. My fastest MILE ever, a 7.59, I stopped and asked a stranger to take a photo of me at that place! But running 13-minute miles on my treadmill during this past snowy, crazy winter is OK, too. I have personal goals that I've achieved and more to try for. But it's just ME in MY brain. I'm wise enough to know that a million things go into one mile of body, heart & soul. Sometimes everything aligns, sometimes nothing does. I run for Joy, for Thinking, for Challenge, for LIFE... and I leave my ego at my back door. As far as quitting during a run or training run, I wouldn't stop unless I felt it injurous to continue. I remember one half-marathon training run at mile 9 or so when I felt I was going to faint from hunger. I called my husband and asked him to drive to where I was running and deliver thin apple slices and peanut butter. THAT's all I could think about. He did. I finished 12 miles! Then there was my most recent half when I had such cramps that I wanted to scream. I was headed to a PR, but what kept me going was that I had grandkids on the course, cheering me on. No PR. But I finished. I am just incredibly thankful that I can swim, bike and RUN. Incredibly ego-lessly thankful <br /><br />Sharon Couto - SeeGrandmaRunhttp://www.momgenerations.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-55745140117259338302015-04-14T05:59:49.544-05:002015-04-14T05:59:49.544-05:00You are so insightful! As I was that gif was on my...You are so insightful! As I was that gif was on my screen so long, that all I can see now is that poor girl's ankle folding! Ouch! But we always have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones right!!Lara @ Uptite Mamashttp://www.uptitemamas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-91575490103294082952015-04-14T05:48:11.310-05:002015-04-14T05:48:11.310-05:00And I didn't even mention the tris. Yep, sever...And I didn't even mention the tris. Yep, several of my friends are taking up triathlons this year. Nope. Won't get sucked in. Sigh.Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-28523876267146842052015-04-14T05:47:37.094-05:002015-04-14T05:47:37.094-05:00The 10 miler is my favorite distance! Too bad ther...The 10 miler is my favorite distance! Too bad there aren't more of them.Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-648231646024147442015-04-13T21:16:18.670-05:002015-04-13T21:16:18.670-05:00That's funny what your wrote about running an ...That's funny what your wrote about running an ultra is how I feel about running a full. While I'd rather keep bettering my half, the longest distance I really want to run, it seems I am not up to par if I don't got for a full. I guess there is always something more right? Some of the people I run with are now training for triathlons...do I need to learn to swim now too? Yes, our egos can definitely get in the way but they also help keep us going! Great post! Have a wonderful week!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575202302378690289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-59709222840409728772015-04-13T20:27:42.282-05:002015-04-13T20:27:42.282-05:00For years, I didn't talk to my sister about ru...For years, I didn't talk to my sister about running because I knew it made her sad. She had 3 knee surgeries and couldn't run. But she has recently started running again and will run with me this weekend.<br /><br />It's hard not to play the comparison game. Unfortunately, I can play lots of head games. I was quite humbled last summer after some horrible races. You still had a great run, as they all teach us something. Good luck on your 10 miler. I've never raced that distance. HoHo Runshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986964581984440945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-19842733674168728432015-04-13T18:00:20.961-05:002015-04-13T18:00:20.961-05:00Mine gets in the way a lot!Mine gets in the way a lot!Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-87273861490404829912015-04-13T18:00:02.191-05:002015-04-13T18:00:02.191-05:00Haha! I have a 10 miler on Saturday and I'm st...Haha! I have a 10 miler on Saturday and I'm struggling with--I want to race it but it's really a training run. Sigh. Ego. Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-36288535364857492462015-04-13T17:58:18.395-05:002015-04-13T17:58:18.395-05:00And don't you feel like the skills gained from...And don't you feel like the skills gained from those tests extend to your life off the road too? I definitely feel a little tougher. But my ego causes problems for me in that realm too...Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-69345529583594742862015-04-13T17:07:12.945-05:002015-04-13T17:07:12.945-05:00What great information. I think my ego would get ...What great information. I think my ego would get in the way if my ol body could actually do what my mind wants it to do, lol. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325341013716918783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-4276129070361735482015-04-13T13:04:50.172-05:002015-04-13T13:04:50.172-05:00Great post, Wendy--very insightful, and it's s...Great post, Wendy--very insightful, and it's something to which all of us runners and bloggers can relate. I struggle with ego, too. Ego is why I won't try swimming even though I know it's a fantastic complement to running. It's why (up until last year) I ran every half marathon like I was trying to PR. It's why I won't post my current pace on my blog. <br /><br />One good thing about my injury is that I've gotten better at setting my ego aside. I don't need to race every half marathon--if I did, I would get hurt. I'm getting better about not comparing myself to others, too. You know--the fast young women who can train like crap and bust out a 1:40 half marathon PR. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-67373692782042121352015-04-13T12:39:32.016-05:002015-04-13T12:39:32.016-05:00This is a phenomenal post! And exactly what I nee...This is a phenomenal post! And exactly what I needed to read after such a tough week of running for me. My first 4 weeks of training for this half were pretty much smooth sailing, but this week took me down a peg. Which in the end is good, because it reminds me that I need to continue working hard, and also that I need to work on my mental barriers as well as the physical. Thank goodness for running, because I feel like it is the thing in my life that tests me in these particular ways the most.Blogger10https://www.blogger.com/profile/10735611521923017407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-19989883239606881822015-04-13T11:26:41.966-05:002015-04-13T11:26:41.966-05:00I use social media to connect with other runners, ...I use social media to connect with other runners, but sometimes I find myself looking at what others are doing and think that I should be doing that...I have to take a step back and remind myself what it is I'm doing. Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-30157209176781895272015-04-13T11:24:54.908-05:002015-04-13T11:24:54.908-05:00I was the same as you--I didn't want to ask fo...I was the same as you--I didn't want to ask for help. But I was slowing down and kept getting injured--and I'm not ready to hang up my running shoes. So I did get a coach. For some reason, it was really hard for me. And yes, I don't belong to a running club either. Why? I don't know...Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-19825590546835887422015-04-13T11:23:26.706-05:002015-04-13T11:23:26.706-05:00I agree with you about social media and the compar...I agree with you about social media and the comparison game. You are an amazing runner! I use social media mostly for accountability and support. It's hard not to compare yourself to fast runners, or marathon runners, or ultra runners. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09754210258733354470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-81635440060695334022015-04-13T11:23:25.234-05:002015-04-13T11:23:25.234-05:00That's the sign of a true friend! We're al...That's the sign of a true friend! We're all on our on journey!Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-5263853871232429142015-04-13T11:00:50.061-05:002015-04-13T11:00:50.061-05:00A great piece - I really enjoyed it. I'm also ...A great piece - I really enjoyed it. I'm also a lone runner and maybe its time for me to think about getting some help (coaching) if I'm ever going to get any faster. For some reason I have a major block in doing this. I won't even join a running club!!<br />It really can't be my ego as I'm so slow I've nothing to be cocky about. <br />I'm new to your site but looking forward to reading more. Thanks again for an interesting read. Jacqueline @ Mam On The Runhttp://www.mamontherun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-83551683349732547692015-04-13T08:57:45.685-05:002015-04-13T08:57:45.685-05:00I have had plenty of bad runs. I just drag myself...I have had plenty of bad runs. I just drag myself through them. I am competitive in race but in runs, not so much. <br />Nope, I am lucky. I have friends who are slower than me and still like me, I think!Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15383271437202673669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-39853164335324731432015-04-13T08:40:31.238-05:002015-04-13T08:40:31.238-05:00That's a good tattoo and great place for a rem...That's a good tattoo and great place for a reminder! It's so hard not to get caught up in the crowd--on the road and off!Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-37845507817990703692015-04-13T08:27:07.321-05:002015-04-13T08:27:07.321-05:00Wendy, I struggle with this, too, sometimes; fortu...Wendy, I struggle with this, too, sometimes; fortunately, my body is pretty good at telling me what I can and cannot do and there's no changing it's mind - ha! I have a tattoo on the inside of my left arm/wrist that says "Run your race." It's a great reminder for me that, in so many areas of my life, I need to do what's right for me and not worry about what everyone else is doing. Thanks for sharing and thanks for linking up with the blog today; hope your week is off to a good start.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757224632083428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-68618801211603647582015-04-13T08:18:42.618-05:002015-04-13T08:18:42.618-05:00Haha, tell your hubby this old lady still waterski...Haha, tell your hubby this old lady still waterskis too! I was never great at it, but I can still get up on one ski and slalom a bit...so there's that!Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2647157930116406632.post-47155604695663205272015-04-13T07:34:08.528-05:002015-04-13T07:34:08.528-05:00My hubby and I were talking about ego this weekend...My hubby and I were talking about ego this weekend. He has been invited to ski in August in Wisconsin in a Legends event. My hubby was a professional water skier for years but I don't think I have seen him go over a jump in a few years ( he is now 60) - he does not want to write any checks his body can't cash but I see that glimmer in his eyes thinking well maybe............great post, I know I try to push myself but I am a realist so I think I balance myself out. Sorry about your friends, the friends I started with don't run anymore, what? I finally caught up, it is weird, they don't visit the blog either. Jealousy is a terrible thing- well, Happy Monday my friend!Mary Beth Jacksonhttp://tutusandtennies.comnoreply@blogger.com