This morning I ran a full tour. I ran it in just under 40 minutes. For those of you that know me, you know this isn’t particularly fast for me. I was almost 15 minutes off my fastest. So why is it, that I am proud of this time this morning?
Because after weeks of dealing with a naggy back injury I was able to show up and workout. This morning I focused on other things than speed: form, pace, muscle groups, and keeping my damn hands off my knees. What I realized was this morning for me was a PR.
A PR in number of sections done with good form.
A PR in taking it slow.
A PR in putting my body before my time.
Maybe the “R” in this “PR” should stand for recovery.
I’m writing all this because it’s something we do wrong as NPers a lot. We don’t want to miss out, we always want to chase that PR. We’re competitive AF. Sometimes being competitive means taking it easy so that when the time is right, you can PR. The time wasn’t right for me today, and it may not be next month either, but my actions today put me in the best place I possibly could so that next month may be raceable.
Show up. Work hard. Be smart. Do what your body is capable of, and push it when you can. But don’t race through an injury. Allow yourself the space to take a step back, recover, and then shoot for the f*ckin stars. Keep crushin it out there y’all. Record your times here. We’re back at it Friday on the hills. Don’t miss out!
BEEWM!
– C. Payne
