Missing Out
Morning. I know my blogs are usually a bit "today I did this, tomorrrow im doing this" So I thought id change it a little this week because im sure this is something all young athletes and maybe older athletes can relate to.
Its whether or not you sometimes feel like your missing out on what your friends are doing because of athletics. Im sure at some point every athlete has felt they are at some point because its natural especially when you are younger and going through senior school, college or university and all your friends are/have discovered alcohol and partying. I thought of this because this week it was Craig (my flatmates) 21st birthday and there were two things organised for this; a few drinks in a bar down the road on Thursday and then a big night out in Edinburgh on the Saturday. When these plans were first mentioned to me, I straight away decided I would go to the drinks on his actual birthday but I wouldnt be going on the night out in Edinburgh because it would affect my training and I only have 5 or so weeks until the European Trials. Wouldn't of been my brightest idea.
So Thursday came and we all went to this bar for a few drinks, gave Craig his birthday present that we had all bought for him and then just chilled out there. It got to 11pm and I decided it was time for me to go home and go to bed so I did that. Although I did get woken up when they all came in, which I was annoyed about but thats not the point of this. On the Saturday we were all racing in Cumbernauld at the Scottish National Cross Country Relays (Dundee Girls won for first ever time, but I only got second fastest time - down to heavy legs and being tired I think). Afterwards they all went into Edinburgh and to Lizzies flat and I went back to my flat with Liz. It wasn't until Sunday after completing my long run by 1130am that I thought "im glad I didnt go out" because I felt good on my run and wasnt tired through lack of sleep. This meant more to me than being wasted, cold and tired in the middle of Edinburgh. I'm not saying that it wasnt a good night, im sure it was amazing but I just wasnt jealous at all and it didnt bother me. I think this is because my mum taught me when I was very young and my friends started doing this, that I can do that whenever I want but my athletics career I can't, this is my only chance at this. So I dont feel im missing out as I have my whole life to party if I want, noone is stopping me doing it.
It just made me think because when I was at college and people used to go out all the time and I never socialised really with my college friends outside of college but I never felt left out or not 'one of the gang'. However I know alot of people who do feel like they are missing out and I think this is why there is such a big drop out in Athletics at this age because its tough growing up and not doing 'normal' things but at the same time I know some of my friends would love to be doing what im doing but never will. I'd love to hear other peoples thoughts on this and how they feel about it no matter if your a Junior or a Senior. So please leave a comment as id like to know.
Thanks :) ......x
Comments On "Missing Out"
For me if you love doing something and love the rewards it gives you, its not too hard to sacrifice things for it. However its important to give yourself a break every once in a while and have some fun outside of running, as I believe Dave mentioned in one of his blogs a while back.
DaveNormanFan Posted on October 26th, 2010I started running when I was 21 (im now 24) so I had a good 3 years of going out and partying, and it was kind of losing its appeal a bit. I'd much rather be doing a long run on a sunday morning than be in bed with a stinking hangover anyway!
Great blog entry!
Lisa-Maria Hoscher Posted on October 26th, 2010I can only underline what Kenneth has said. I am a "serious recreational runner", let's put it like this. I am average (22:36 5k PB e.g.), but I do take my training very seriously trying to improve for myself. I need to make sacrifices too - even such an average runner like me. I think everybody who takes something seriously needs to juggle things around/ make sacrifices in order to accommodate that something. My husband can get annoyed with me sometimes, because I go to bed as I have an early morning run scheduled, but it is about the feeling it gives me. The life and lifestyle it gives me, which is worth so much for me.
Keep up the good work Lily! Success comes with persistence and hard work!
Great blog
Great blog! And one that most of the readers on here will relate to as we all make sacrafices as runners when it comes to missing social activities. I know exactly what you mean as I didn't drink at all until I was 20 and drank maybe once every 6 weeks while I was at University. This probably shocks people who know me now! Nowadays, I go out maybe 3 times a month. I think I have a better balance now than I had when I was at University, but it's about finding a balance that you are happy with without hitting it so hard that your running suffers. It sounds as if you've found that! Good luck at Liverpool!!
Dave Norman Posted on October 25th, 2010Going Out
Lily,
Rob Russell Posted on October 25th, 2010Nice blog, I'll get some of the athletes I coach to read it.
See you soon,
Rob
I think a lot of it comes down to personality, and thats why there is a drop out in nearly every activity that you pursue at school age. Priorities change, but involvement in athletics can be either something that you do, or a major part of your life. The main thing I like about it is, that you get out what you put in. Drug takers aside, the people that win races are those that have trained hardest, and for longer.
Kenneth Hislop Posted on October 25th, 2010The cross country races early this year are what made me feel part of a club, after having come to the sport late and only joining the club a few months before, i didnt think that anyone noticed when I missed training. now Im asked along to all sorts of races and feel part of the gang, and wouldnt dream of missing club training.
What i would also say is that you only miss out on things that you really want. A night out can be amazing fun, and ive had many that are great, but now I live every day as an athlete, and the thing that fulfils me is something that by and large I can do whenever I want. So although i no longer go the Pub with alarming regularity, and often miss nights out as im training the next day, and although I will probably never wear A GB vest or even win a race, I know the feeling that i get from a run, and its that feeling that the cars whizzing by are missing out on in my opinion.
Nah it sounds like you missed out.
Disagree Posted on October 25th, 2010