Speed

I have never really focused on speed when running. Maybe that’s why I chose marathons as my distance of choice. There’s is less pressure to be speedy when you're running for 4 hours (unless you're Des Linden). So when I found out about the Nielson Challenge, a monthly two mile race in Colorado  Springs, I have admit, I was hesitant at first to participate. 

I decided to show up as a majority of my running group were going. Runners of all shapes and sizes gathered at a small portion of the Sante Fe trail that had a full and impressive view of the peaks. The runners signed in, got a fairly nondescript bib and lined up around 8am to run. 

Since that first challenge (I think it was back in November), I’ve pretty much attended every single one I could. It’s free and pushes me outside of my comfort zone and I've become less scared of going fast. I know that when I reach that threshold of pain, I can always push a little bit harder and dig a little bit deeper. I have to accept the pain for what it is, recognize it and move on. The results have surprised even me ;)