I’ve spent a lot of time this summer thinking back on the first half of 2022 and trying to decide how I feel about it, from a running perspective.
The truth is, I feel deeply disappointed.
I can see that I have some things to be proud of. A decent overall mileage, four marathon finishes and a couple of small race victories. But I had other goals. I wanted a personal best – or at least a sub-3 – in the marathon so SO badly. So badly I tried three times in a row! It was obvious to everyone (myself included) that this kamikaze tactic was never going to bear fruit, but I couldn’t face giving up.
I feel like I trained so hard all winter long, making sacrifices along the way, and yet ended up with nothing to show for it. My family made sacrifices too. They believed in me and I let them down.
Disappointment is, of course, part and parcel of competitive sport. Nobody can reach their ‘A’ goal in every race. So how can I deal with this feeling of failure?
Over many miles pounding the pavements, lost deep inside my own thoughts, here are the ideas I have come up with:
- FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE: I am keeping in mind all the awesome fun I’ve had so far this year – particularly the half and full marathons I ran with DD in the buggy.
- PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE: Running is my hobby. I run for leisure and for pleasure. It’s not supposed to make me unhappy!
- BE PATIENT: Progress rarely happens overnight. If the goal is worth it, then keep working at it. I had forgotten it took me five attempts to break three hours in the marathon the first time round and I’m much older now.
- REMEMBER THE RISK:REWARD RATIO: The sense of disappointment will be in proportion to the size of the goal. Risk-takers face greater potential disappointment, but they also reap greater rewards. I choose to be a risk-taker!
- DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Take a break away from running – dabble in a different sport, or just hang out with your mates and drink rosé. I did both of these in spades this summer (see photos!) and it definitely helped.
- SET A NEW GOAL: There’s always another race to enter. Another time to shoot for. I could take a side-step into trail running, or even try an ultra. If it’s my first time at the distance, it’s a guaranteed PB after all.
- CATCH YOURSELF ON: (as the wonderful Derry Girls would say!) In other words: LITERALLY NOBODY CARES.
I am feeling much better already just typing this! Perhaps I should add “start a blog” to the list…
