What Was Your Time?

I was on a run recently with friends I hadn't seen in several weeks, since before the Boston marathon, when one asked how I did.  I told him it was a great day, that I had a good run, and the weather was perfect.  That apparently was not the answer he was looking for.  What he really wanted to know, was the time I had run.  I told him.  I finished in 3:37, and was marginally dissapointed that it was a little slower than my goal. 

In this case, the time was just one part of the overall experience from the race.  Sure, if I had run significantly slower than I was hoping for, the overall experience would not have been nearly as positive.  But I answered his question with the first answer.  It was a great experience.  

It got me thinking about personal goals in running.  Sometimes we are looking specifically to place in our age group, or in the overall standings.   Sometimes we are just looking to beat a rival.  Usually we have a time goal in mind, and the number on the clock at the finish line is the most important thing.

I have friends my age and older who remember the finishing times for every significant race they have ever run.  One friend recalls finishing times from college races several decades ago.  I get that.  You certainly remember how close you got to magical times like a 4:00 mile, or a sub 30:00 10k.  He was close to both of those.  He particularly remembered a half marathon he ran in 1:07.  All great times indeed.   

As for myself, however, I've really never been concerned too much about the clock.  In fact, if Boston didn't require qualifying times to run the marathon, I probably wouldn't even remember most of my marathon times.  Come to think of it, other than four or five of the most recent, I don't remember.  I don't even remember how many marathons I've run.  I'm pretty sure it's more than ten and fewer than 20.  Nor do I remember the times I ran in college cross country or track.  I generally remember the pace I was able to run, and the place I finished on my team, but I couldn't tell you a single finishing time from those days.  About the only thing  I do know is that the times were significantly faster than they are these days!

The problem with times is that everything is relative, and your finishing time in a race is really only meaningful to you.  You are the only one who knows what you were hoping to run.  And you are the only one who knows how much effort you gave, and whether you had anything left in the tank at the end, or a nagging injury slowed you down a little. 

The Soldier Field 10 miler was another interesting example of this.  I ran pretty well, and enjoyed the day quite a bit.  I did not run as fast as I was capable that day, nor did I take it as easy as I might have felt like.  I shared the time I ran, 1:12, with my friends who had run the race.  Mine was far from the fastest time, and not quite the slowest in my group.  But the only one who it really meant anything to was me.  I know how I ran, and I was the only one who could decide whether I was happy with it.  For the record, I was.

After Boston in April, I wrote on my facebook page that I was thrilled with my time because it was 20 minutes faster than the last time I had run there.  That was true, and it sounded impressive  But I failed to mention it was also 18 minutes slower than the time I ran to qualify for the race in the first place.  Everything is relative.  The first time I ran the course, it was in terrible weather, and I basically threw in the towel halfway through the race.  As unsatisfying as the time was that year, however, I still enjoyed the experience of running the Boston marathon.  I was more happy with the race this year, though, because of all the factors involved.

My real goal for Boston this year was to make sure I left it all on the course.  I wanted to give a good effort and have a good feeling about it afterward.  I accomplished that.  And no time on the clock would reflect that.  I think we miss out on quite a bit of the journey when we focus too much on the destination.  And how long it takes to get there.

There are lots of first-timers who enter the Chicago marathon every year with the objective of simply finishing.  There are plenty of others who aim to run a better time than their last, or a p.r.  Many want to qualify for Boston.  Some want to break 3 or 4 or 5 hours.  My time means little to them, just as their time means little to me.  Unless they are out to win major prize money, it probably doesn't matter a whole lot to anyone in the big scheme of things.

The way I look at it, running is a way of life.  Races are supposed to be a celebration of that lifestyle.  They can serve as goals to help keep us on a training schedule, as well as a kind test that we give ourselves.  But there are really no grades.  Just being out there makes it a successful day regardless of the time.

Oh, and  speaking of races, there is a good one coming up later this month I want to share with you.

RACE for the Kids 5K RUN/WALK

to Benefit Children's Memorial Hospital

Who:               Serious athletes, fitness enthusiasts, families and Children's Memorial supporters are invited to take part in...

What:              Children's Memorial Hospital’s Race for the Kids 5k Run/Walk.

When:             Saturday, June 20

8:00 a.m. Start

Start/Finish:  Soldier Field

               

Registration:    Registration is $35 (children 12 and under are free)

Visit www.childrensmemorial.org/raceforthekids

Packet pick-up and in-person registration will be:

·        Thursday, June 18, 4 to 7 p.m.

·        Friday, June 19, 2- 6 p.m.

      Running Away, 1634 W. North Avenue, Chicago

*Receive a 10% in-store discount when you pick up your race packet at Running Away.

Note: There will be no race day registration.

Highlights:      The 5k features a CARA-registered course that will take participants along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront path. All participants will be timed and will receive an exclusive Race for the Kids t-shirt. A post-event party with live music, refreshments, kids’ activities and awards will celebrate the finish. 

It should be a good race.  Maybe I'll see you there, or somewhere else on the roads.....