... you all need to go out and run with one of these Nike+SportBand things.

I just ran 5.35 miles, and averaged 10:53 miles on the whole shot. I know to some of you, who are faster, better runners, that's no big shakes but I have been consistently running at 11:30, 11:45 mile paces for two years now, and running with this thing on steps up my entire game. It's crazy.

Why?

1) It taps into my competitive nature. I am by nature the sort of person who always wants to win. I know I don't always, and I usually react pretty well when I don't, but having a constant reminder of where I am in terms of pacing somehow kicks on an internal drive that before I didn't have. I know that you'll know my pace time and the distance I did it in, which means I don't have the luxury of screwing around. The device doesn't lie, and since this challenge is public, there's no getting away with any less than my best.

2) It helps me focus. Running is all mental for most people. It's why runners usually have serious injuries because we can run and run and run through all sorts of pain. We never know when to quit. With this device on me, I'm constantly reminded of the task at hand, which keeps me moving, instead of drifting away to my tired feet or achy legs.

Today marks the 19th anniversary of my mom's passing. She was only 40 when she was killed in a car accident.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned to someone that I was going to be 40 before I knew it - eight years - and had my mother known at 32 that she'd only have eight years left, I wonder what she would have done with those years. I don't get particularly maudlin about that fact, but it gives me perfect perspective with the gifts I have. I mean, it's truly a gift that I just went out and ran more than five miles. It is truly a gift that I can do that.

I'm going to go out and do another five miles tomorrow with my girlfriend, Brenda, to celebrate how lucky I am to just be alive.

Posted by Erin at 04:33 PM | filed under: Competition

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