TOP RUN Performance, LLC

Here’s a little “peace” for you…

Talking to one of my athletes last week at length, we had a GREAT discussion, and felt that I should post about something not often talked about here in this IG running world.

In the world of these IG squares, one is easily influenced and motivated by runners’ fast times, improved times, and PR’s. Likewise, one is easily “judged” and even “criticized” (of course, all that talk usually goes on behind one’s back) as a runner, and even as a coach, on those same times, especially if there’s no improvement or PR’s over the years.

But you see, just like that “perfect couple” that gets divorced after 30 years (that actually was the case with some VERY dear friends of ours that I just found out about last week…🥺), as it has been said, “YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS”!

Why do I say that? Because negative talk is cheap. You don’t know what an athlete is going through….You don’t know the emotional struggles or physical obstacles in one’s way….You don’t know the mental or psychological strength it might take someone just to lace up and get out the door….You don’t know if an athlete’s goal is simply to “run for life” vs running for “time”. You don’t know!

Likewise, for coaches, we are often “judged” as well on our athletes’ times. Again, you don’t know how much of the assigned miles & workouts an athlete did, or didn’t, put in. You don’t know how many times the coach might have had to adjust and change the athlete’s training plan. You don’t know if the coach, as much as he/she leads the horse to water, just can’t make it drink.

Life is grander than numbers on a clock. In a world where it’s so easy to get caught up on that as runner, and even as a coach, I much rather continue to be there for my athletes ANY way I’m needed, be it to hammer down times and workouts, if that’s what they need, or simply give 💯support, love, an open-ear, compassion, and empathy where needed.

🔅Don’t judge!
🔅Much joy and PEACE to you all! ☮️

FB reminded me that I posted this 6 years ago, and I have to say, I still feel the same way 💯, even more so than before. Of course, there will ALWAYS be those that “talk about you”, but in a negative manner, or asking others about you, pretending to care….but they don’t. I wish I could say I felt the same way about SM that I did 10, 7, even 5 years ago, but truth be told, with age comes wisdom, humility, and experience. I appreciate the follows and friendships made over the years, while staying true to myself and not getting caught up in the desire to be “IG famous”. Yes, I continue to run. Yes, I continue to coach. How much I post or share here doesn’t make one any better or worse a runner or a coach. There are incredible highly respected athletes, runners, and coaches all over the world that don’t even have social media. Here’s what I posted in 2017: 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 Anyone else out there appreciate humility in others?? Seriously, over the years I have found such BEAUTY in, and RESPECT for, people who are GREAT at the things they do, but don't talk about it....whatever "it" may be! ❤️ When you're GOOD at something, people will notice. When you're GREAT at something, they will notice and talk.....let THEM be the ones to talk about you! 😉 . . . A Happy long weekend to you all! 😊 . . . . #toprunperformance #foodforthought #begood #begreat #behumble #keepingitsimple

April 15, 2013 💙💛

For the past 10 years, I bring out this shirt and wear it proudly, and yet somberly too, every April 15th.

Speaking about this date today with my husband, I teared up yet again 😭, talking about the array of emotions I felt that day, from being in AWE and in HUMILTY, feeling pure JOY and sheer PRIDE that I was among the best of the best runners in the world about to run my 1st …..to being on such a HIGH crossing that finish line not only with a BQ IN BOSTON, but a new PR as well…..to being SCARED, TERRIFIED, ANGRY, and soooooo SAD about what took place that day.

It still shakes me up today and brings tears to my eyes.

4/15/13 - I will NEVER FORGET!

As long as I’m alive (and the shirt fits) I I will always wear this shirt in honor and remembrance of those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and as a reminder that we are BOSTON STRONG! 💙💛