Do you know that feeling when you’re completely unprepared for something?
Well, I had that feeling last Saturday. I was at the starting line of a 14km race, but after three months of light mileage and no speedwork, I felt like an impostor. I was nowhere near ready to compete with the fastest women in town.
When Marina asked about my race plan, I said I’d stick to a “7 out of 10”. No suffering today! (especially not after that ill-timed wine last night…)
We started at 11 a.m. under perfect skies: sunny, cool, the course winding through fields and forests. Sticking to my steady 7 out of 10, I finally began to relax and take it all in. Hey, this was fun!
That’s when I spotted Nicole ahead of me.
Nicole has multiple sub-3 marathons to her name – something I’ve never achieved. I’d never beaten her in a race either. Yet, to my surprise, I was closing the gap.
I tucked in behind her. Her stride was metronomic, the perfect pacemaker. Her support crew was just as flawless: small groups appeared on bikes throughout the course, bottles at the ready and words of encouragement flowing.
At halfway, I gambled. I edged past her, wondering if I’d just made a terrible mistake. Would she surge back and drag me into the all-out battle I’d sworn to avoid?
For a while, it was exactly that, a tug-of-war. But by kilometre 10, something clicked in my head. My watch showed 4:35/km. A year ago, that had been my marathon pace. Surely I could hold it for four more kilometres.
Suddenly, the easy 7 out of 10 was out the window. I pressed on. Nicole clung close. Her fan club cheered her as we passed – proof she was right there, breathing down my neck.
Back into the village, one last turn, the finish line in sight on the school track. I crossed in 1:05, Nicole just 14 seconds behind. Tight. Hard-fought. Kai was there with a bottle of water. I was super happy.
Marina came in only five minutes later, stronger than ever. “By next year, you’ll be faster than me,” I said.
“That’s my goal!” she laughed. I’m actually looking forward to that race!
Third place, a flower bouquet, and a reminder: you don’t always need perfect training to enjoy a race. Sometimes showing up with no expectations is the best plan of all.
Moments That Inspire
As an ageing female runner, I’m always on the lookout for inspiration – and Jeannie Rice delivered once again. At 77, she ran the Sydney Marathon in 3:37, faster than the first man in her age group, who needed four hours. Mind-blowing.
We also went to watch the Diamond League here in Zurich. The highlight for me came a few days earlier, when we spotted some of the U.S. athletes training on “my” track. Ordinary runners were doing their intervals alongside them, and the contrast was hilarious – a vivid reminder of just how different elite athletes really are.
Then there are the joys of blogging. Elke surprised me with a drawing based on one of my photos. Here’s the original shot – and here’s her version. She’ inspiring me to take up art!
That picture reminds me that we will be off on a multi-day hike next week in the Austrian Alps. I’m so looking forward to it!
- Have you ever raced with minimal training? How did it go?
- Who are the runners or athletes that inspire you the most?
- Do you have a creative hobby?
I’m joining Runs with Pugs and The Running Teacher’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs.
Was für Zeiten mit so viel Megaspaß in den Gesichtern! Und wenn die Verfolgerin nur den heißen Verfolgerinnenatem in den Nacken pustet sondern ehrlich den Überholplan offenbart, macht so ein PrivatDuell erst richtig Spaß und schürt viel Vorfreude, finde ich und bin ebenfalls auf den Ausgang im nächsten Jahr gespannt.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Platz und Blumenpreis!
Ha, genau, liebe Lizzy, so ein Ninja-Angriff im allerletzten Moment wäre schon etwas schäbig gewesen. So wussten wenigstens alle, was der Plan ist!
Die Blüemlis hab ich übrigens gleich weiterverschenkt – nett, aber ehrlich gesagt hätte ich viel lieber die Nusstorte von Platz 5 eingepackt. Blumen welken, aber Nusstorten… die kann man essen!
Wow!! You are a machine! Congrats on a successful race! Especially after a night of some wine! I have showed up for races undertrained but my performance was as expected – not great.
Thank you so much, Lisa! Maybe wine is the new secret race fuel, who knows, ha!
I’ve also had my fair share of “undertrained and it shows” races, so this one was a very pleasant surprise. It’s funny how sometimes things just click when you least expect it.
Kaum zu glauben, was man hier so lesen kann !! Glückwunsch, du wirst ja immer stärker, dein Wille, deine Power !! Dein Strahlen auf den Fotos zeigt alles, dazu bedarf es keiner Worte !! Super !! Inspirationen sind auch genug vorhanden, so kann es weitergehen !! Nochmals Glückwunsch, freut mich sehr für dich !!
Da ich kein Wettkampfmensch war und bin kann ich kaum mitreden, aber unvorbereitet bin ich nie gestartet !
Im übrigen hängt unser Haus voller Bilder, die ich gemalt habe !
Pass gut auf dich auf, liebe Catrina, und viel Glück für die nächsten Herausforderungen!
Vielen lieben Dank! Auch dafür, dass du trotz technischen Schwierigkeiten dran geblieben bist mit Kommentieren!
Ja, ich liebe den fröhlichen und aufgeregten Vibe an solchen Anlässen, da fällt das Strahlen leicht.
Auch wenn du kein Wettkampfmensch bist, finde ich es schön, dass dich immer gut vorbereitet hast und am Anlass selbst alles gegeben hast.
Und eigene Bilder in der Wohnung hängen zu haben – das ist cool!
Ebenso, liebe Margitta!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem regnerischen Zürich!
Liebe Catrina,
hihi – das ist ja super! Gaaaanz gelassen an und in ein Rennen gehen, bis dann plötzlich – KLICK – der Schalter umlegt, weil … (ob es dann die besagte Nicole ist, eine mögliche Sub-X-Zeit, eine machbare Platzierung, ist egal) Und schon rennst du selbst, wie ein Metronom, das halt ein klein wenig höher gestellt wurde! 😉
Gratuliere zu dem super-Ergebnis – auch an Marina!
Danke dir, liebe Doris! 😊 Ja genau, dieser Klick-Moment ist einfach unberechenbar, plötzlich läuft man doch mehr Herzschlag als Plan. Und wenn dann noch so eine Nicole vor einem auftaucht, ist das Metronom sofort ein paar Takte schneller gestellt. Marina hat sich auch riesig gefreut über ihr Rennen – wir sind gespannt, was nächstes Jahr drinliegt.
I have turned up to races with minimal training and they’ve gone as well as I could expect—so no pleasant surprises like this race for you, although that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the race. Congratulations on your podium finish. What a great run. My husband always tells me about the great older runners (or runners my age) and what they’re achieving, which I think is absolutely amazing, but then I remind him that there is also a thing called natural talent. My daughter says I’m a plodder, which is a bit rude, but I’m fine with that if I can keep plodding into my elder years. I do look to the better older runners as an example of being able to continue running well and enjoying it.
Yay for plodders, I say!! I think ‘plodding’ into our elder years is exactly the goal: steady, consistent, and still enjoying the sport. I also agree with you on natural talent; some runners seem almost superhuman (like the lady who got 1st place in my age group, she’s phenomenal!). But I find it encouraging that even without that kind of talent, we can still keep showing up, enjoying races, and surprising ourselves now and then. I’d say that’s a win in itself.
Liebe Catrina,
ist es nicht herrlich, einfach zu was überredet zu werden, unvorbereitet hin, und dann hat es den richtigen Trigger und los geht’s! Klasse gemacht, da hat der Kopf die Beine aber fliegen lassen. So ging es mir ja erst kürzlich beim Montelino und auch beim 6-Stunden-Lauf. Das sind Erlebnisse, über die man sich doppelt freut, weil sie so unerwartet kommen!
Auch wenn dir leider keine Nusstorte vergönnt war. Aber die kannst du dir ja auf diesen Erfolg auch einfach so gönnen.
Und wow, 77 und solch eine Marathonzeit, grandios! So etwas inspiriert mich!
Danke für das Lob zu meiner Zeichnung und die Ehre, es hier zu zeigen. Besonders, weil der Himmel nicht ganz gelungen ist… Gestern ging mein Kurs wieder los und der Dozent merkte genau das an. Aber ich lerne ja noch und gerne weiter!
Liebe Grüße aus dem Rheinland, das letzte Nacht extreme Regenfälle ertragen musste!
Elke
Liebe Elke,
ja, genau so ist es – manchmal braucht es nur den richtigen Trigger, und plötzlich läuft alles wie von selbst! Du wirst es nicht glauben, aber ich habe während meinem Lauf an deinen Montelino-Lauf gedacht. Dieses Überraschungsglück (was für ein schönes Wort!) macht die Erlebnisse so besonders.
Genau, ich muss mir irgendwann diese Woche noch so eine Nusstorte holen… oder ein Mandelgipfeli, sozusagen als nachträglicher Preis. 😉
Und deine Zeichnung – ich liebe sie! Der Himmel? Du weisst ja, als Laie sieht man das gar nicht, das siehst nur du und dein Dozent. Es freut mich riesig, dass du weiter übst, ich bin gespannt, was wir noch alles von dir zu sehen bekommen!
Liebe Grüsse zurück ins verregnete Rheinland, hoffe, ihr habt den Regen gut überstanden!
You, my friend, are no impostor! Congrats on a race well run and having the confidence to take on Nicole. I think a relaxed mindset can really help in race performance and it showed in this race! A first-aid kit as swag is a great idea!
I love the sketch that Elke made from one of your pictures, but where did you disappear to in the sketch? I think Elke knows your competitiveness and placed you just out of sight farther down the trail, knowing that’s exactly what you were thinking when the picture was taken. 😉
Thank you so much, Debbie! You’re right, going in relaxed really helped, even if the wine the night before wasn’t exactly “race prep.”
Haha, great observation about Elke’s sketch! Maybe she’s hinting that I was already off on my way for an almond croissant! Actually, she “deleted” that other person (I was behind Kai) because she liked the “solo hiker” better. She just told me that someone in her drawing class used the picture too, but without any hikers at all!
Unprepared and hitting 3rd place? Congratulations to a great race! It looks like you were enjoying it!
That photo Elke used for her drawing is absolutely stunning. Creative hobbies are good for the soul so go for it! Or do more photography?
On your question about what athletes that inspire me, I wanted to say that YOU do! But then I realised that we’re not even in the same sport (except you do Crossfit which at least is similar), and you’ve been at it for much longer too and I should get inspiration from those that are doing what I’m doing and that are just a bit ahead of me. But your attitude inspires me and the fact that I aim to be strong and gutsy throughout my 50s and beyond.
Thank you so much, Susanne! Yes, it was one of those races where the joy really carried me along.
And you’re right about creative hobbies – they balance things out beautifully. You already do that with your photography and music, which are such gifts! I really admire that, it’s a great way to balance things out.
I love what you wrote about inspiration. Even if we’re in different sports, attitude is universal – and yours definitely inspires me, too. Strong and gutsy into the 50s and beyond, that’s exactly it!
I love this! You started out comfortably and when you saw the chance for a W you took it! Plus you got your wine the night before.
I am not artistic, so I admire people who are all the more because of it. However, last month work did a paint by numbers class with pictures of our pets. One of my fellow dog loving coworkers talked me into joining her, and it was a lot of fun and I was surprised that I enjoyed mindlessly filling in colors. So I got a color by numbers book and I’m looking forward to playing with it – just as soon as I get rid of this silly job that’s taking up all my time.
I think wine might be the new secret race fuel… I’m on to something there!
Oh, I love your paint-by-numbers story, what a cool idea! Mindlessly filling in colours sounds like the perfect creative reset. I can’t wait to see all that creative energy come out once that silly job is gone!
CATRINA. You are a machine!!! I mean. I MEAN WHAT. How do you go into a race “7 out of 10” and come in 2nd?? And that pace! I am just in awe, my friend. You are SO inspiring in every way! I just…am speechless over here.
That picture is fantastic!
Haha, Nicole! I think the wine helped!
I just realized that you have the same name as my race rival which makes me think it would have been fun to have you there as a cheerleader. And then we could have celebrated with some wine afterwards!
I love this post so much.
And Jeannie Rice is my idol.
Um yes. Unprepared. Sometimes it goes south. Other times I surprise myself.
Like last weekend. No prep. An ugly half marathon the week before. Ankle and rash issues and yet I almost broke 30 min. Not a pr but better than others this year.
I used to quilt a lot and I do knit. I love taking photos. No real talent.
Thank you so much, Darlene! 😊 I totally get what you mean, sometimes unprepared goes sideways, and sometimes we surprise even ourselves. Yes, your Malta race report was amazing! A 2025 PR is a fantastic result.
And your creative side sounds wonderful – quilting, knitting, photography… talent isn’t about perfection, it’s about the joy it brings. Keep at it, you clearly have plenty of creativity and heart in everything you do!
Oh my goodness! What a story and what a triumph! Well done and congratulations!
I constantly race untrained, but you and I are very different in our goals. I’m very much there for the vibes, and so I’m pretty much never disappointed.
I do a lot of creative things: baking, writing, photography, even painting and jewelry making. I’m a bit scattered like that.
Thank you so much, Jenn! That’s exactly what I love about your race reports, you really capture the vibes and the emotions. Congratulations again on your Jax Labor Day 5K!
I knew you were creative, I still remember the photos of your charcuterie boards. I love all the other outlets too: baking, writing, photography, painting, jewelry… scattered or not, it’s such a wonderfully rich mix. No wonder you find so much inspiration in the process itself!
I love how competitive you got with Nicole! Your 7 out of 10 quickly got thrown out of the window! Well done – what a brilliant race! I actually went into my last race with zero expectations and looking to have fun. It was a 12km Race on hilly terrain and was just a training run for me. But somehow having zero expectations and being so relaxed gave me one of my strongest 12km finish times ever. So there is definitely something about running without that self imposed pressure.
Thank you, Shathiso! So lovely to hear from you!
Yes, that 7 out of 10 quickly became “all in” once Nicole came into view, crazy what a little competitiveness can do, ha!
I love what you said about your relaxed 12 km race. Letting go of pressure really can bring out your best. Now I’m hoping you write a post about it! We would love to hear all about it!
Yep – that blog is already in the works! But next up will be the tale of my Perth Half Marathon 😁
Congrats on your race! I agree, sometimes you just need to show up with no expectations. That drawing is amazing! Hope you enjoy your next hike!
Thanks, Lisa! Looks like we both had great races recently!
I’m really looking forward to the hike!
Liebe Catrina,
ist es nicht normal, die eigene Fitness, den eigenen Zustand des Vorbereitetseins als Wettkämpferin oder als ambitionierter Läufer HÖCHSTENS bei einer 7 von 10 einzuschätzen? 😆 – Wie oft habe ich von Läufern vor einem WK gehört, dass sie nicht fit sind und dann rannten sie ganz tolle Rennen! Ich empfinde es aber als gar nicht so ungewöhnlich, weil man selber weiß, was noch mehr hätte getan werden können, oder wo es in der Vorbereitung gehakt hat! – Hab mich nie bei einer 10 gefühlt! 😉
Bei ungeplanten WKs zeigt sich dann, welche tolle Substanz in einem steckt. In solchen WKs kann man vom ‘Konto abheben’, in das man jahrelang eingezahlt hat, mal so als Metapher!
Danke, dass du uns mitgenommen hast und wir von deinem Empfinden während des Rennens lesen konnten! Die Zeit ist, darf ich es mal so nennen, für ein Sommerloch noch sehr gut! Tolle Platzierung! Congrats! Da Marina deutlich jünger ist, darf sie dich sicherlich mal überholen, vielleicht noch nicht im kommenden Jahr?!? 🙂 – Aber nen Blumenstrauß, ich sag’s mal gemein, hätten sie einen Mann so abgespeist? – Die Torte gönnst du dir lieber im Cafè deiner Wahl und nimmst Kai mit! 😉
Bei mir gab’s, bei relativ kurz vorher angemeldeten Rennen, einige die gut liefen und andere, die nicht so gut liefen. Ob ich mich aber so von heute auf morgen mal gemeldet habe, das weiß ich nicht mehr!? (Vielleicht stöbere ich mal in alten Aufzeichnungen, da mich die Frage durchaus interessiert?)
Wer mich inspirierte, kann ich dir auch nicht sagen, da ich immer aus mir heraus sehr stark motiviert war. Vielleicht müsste ich fragen, was hat mich inspirierte, es waren oft Zahlen! 😛
Mein kreatives Hobby: Basteleien! 🙂
Viel Spaß bei eurer bevorstehenden Wanderung und
liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred
Haha, du hast völlig recht, wahrscheinlich sind wir Läuferinnen und Läufer alle notorische Tiefstapler. Vielleicht letztes Jahr, am 3-Länder-Marathon, da hätte ich mir eine 9 von 10 gegeben, weil einfach alles so gut zusammengepasst hat. Deine Metapher mit dem „vom Konto abheben“ gefällt mir sehr – genau so fühlte es sich letzten Samstag an!
Die Männer haben übrigens auch Blumen bekommen, stell’ dir vor! Immerhin Gleichbehandlung. 😄 Die Nusstorte hätte ich trotzdem VIEL lieber genommen… aber du hast recht, den Café Besuch mit Kai hole ich noch nach!
Spannend, was du über spontane Rennen schreibst – wäre cool, wenn du mal in deinen Aufzeichnungen nachsiehst. Zahlen als Inspiration passen natürlich perfekt zu dir, finde ich.
Natürlich, deine Basteleien! Das kleine süsse Wichtelhaus… eine schöne Art, die Hände zu beschäftigen und den Kopf freizumachen. Und Enkelinnen glücklich zu machen!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem bedeckten Zürich!
Ha! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up at a race feeling undertrained for the distance. But- going into it with no expectations can be really fun. AND YOU DID GREAT!!! It’s funny that you went into it with a 7/10 goal and then ended up racing hard.
Jeannie Rice is incredible, and it’s definitely inspiration for all of us!
Thanks, Jenny! Crazy how a 7/10 suddenly becomes a 11/10 when you’re challenged! That “fun run” became an outright duel.
And I agree, racing with no expectations is underrated, it really frees you up to surprise yourself.
Jeannie Rice though… she’s in a league of her own. How does she do it?? I think we all want a bit of her magic formula!
Jeannie Rice is so amazing! And so are you. Nice job on your 7 out of 10 race. 🙂
I love the drawing that Elke did for you. You do have some beautiful photos!
Jeannie is such a legend! I follow her on a Strava, and it’s amazing how she recovered from an injury earlier this year.
Thanks, Debbie! I was so happy the race worked out well.
Elke took up drawing after she retired – such a lovely hobby and a nice balance to running.
You are definitely an inspiration for me! I want to be like you when I retire, running, hiking, be in the nature with like minded people! Maybe I should move to be your neighbor! hahaha…
I like surprising outcome when least expected, but usually it never happens when racing.
I find blogging is my creative outlet as I consider myself very non-creative. 🙂
Thank you so much, Coco! Oh, now that would be an exciting concept! You’d be the perfect neighbour, we could head out for runs and hikes together every day! 😄
You’re right, those surprise race outcomes are rare, but they’re such a treat when they happen. And I love that you use blogging as your creative outlet – your posts always reflect so much thought and heart, it’s a joy to read your blog.
I’m with you on the inspiration. Seeing people in their 60s and 70s doing tough things in running always motivates me. I ran a section of the WH200 with a 61 year old – we shared about 25 miles of running together. I’ve also been beaten in longer endurance by those much older than me. Always a humbling experience.
My first race here in Wales was without any proper training, and although it was a smaller field I bagged a podium position. I think that was unexpected. You’re onto something though, there are so many variables on the day, things that can change or affect the outcome, that training can sometimes be a smaller part of the bigger picture. We should just race to enjoy, and inevitably those surprise results will happen.
Yes, I do have a creative hobby! I draw and make digital art. Something I left behind in my student days and my twenties, but have started to pick up again. It’s a nice contrast to the physical nature of running!
Ha, your comment about the WH200 just made me go back and re-read your post – what an epic adventure! I can’t believe it’s already two years ago; it feels like yesterday.
Running with that 61-year-old must have been such a boost. And yes, nothing keeps us humble quite like being overtaken by someone twice our age!
That podium finish in your first race in Wales sounds like one of those magical, unexpected outcomes we all dream of, proof that race day is about so much more than training logs.
I’m trying to picture your digital art and really hope you’ll share some of your work in a future post. It sounds amazing – the perfect creative counterbalance to gruelling trail endurance!
You continue to amaze me with your speedy finish times! Congrats on another podium! And yes, I read that story about Jeannie Rice. She is a phenom, isn’t she!
The rendering of your photo is just beautiful! What a nice gift!
Enjoy your hike. I can’t wait to hear about it!
Thank you, Wendy! It went better than I ever imagined!
I just saw that Jeannie ran a 5K in 22 minutes yesterday, so close after the Sydney Marathon. A phenomenon indeed!
We’re starting today!
Ey! Du hast einfach meine Wettkampfstrategie übernommen (nämlich keine Vorbereitung für den Wettkampf)! Und dann gleich erfolgreich durchgezogen, sehr gut, herzlichen Glückwunsch! 🙂
Mich inspirieren ehrlich gesagt immer eher die langsamsten Läufer, die sich trotz allem durchbeissen. Das muss man erstmal wollen.
Und ohne kreative Beschäftigungen ginge es in meinem Leben nicht, Musik machen, schreiben, komische Sachen lernen usw., Langeweile kenn ich nicht.
Ey Oliver! 😄 Oh wow, jetzt hat es mit dem Kommentieren geklappt!! Hast du etwas geändert auf deiner Seite oder habe ich es tatsächlich geschafft nach STUNDEN das technische Problem zu lösen?
Haha, ja, „keine Vorbereitung“ scheint gerade mein neues Erfolgsrezept zu sein! Aber ich stimme dir vollkommen: am meisten inspirieren mich auch die Läuferinnen und Läufer, die sich trotz allem durchbeissen. Das ist echte Willenskraft – daran habe ich auch heute am Greifenseelauf gedacht.
Das habe ich mir bei dir natürlich schon gedacht – du bist auf allen Ebenen kreativ: Musik, Schreiben, komische Sachen lernen… eigentlich können wir Otto-Exkursionen auch dazunehmen, seine Ausflüge mit dir sind ja nie langweilig!
Incredibly inspirational, Catrina. Your writing drew me right into the race. Amazing what can be accomplished when you put everything out there.
To be honest most of my races these last few years have been with minimal training. Though I do finish under the cut off times, I know I probably could do better with proper training.
Thanks so much, Carl! Writing about races is like racing all over again — minus the sweat and aching muscles the second time!
I totally get what you mean about minimal training. It’s amazing what our bodies can still pull off without perfect prep. Sure, proper training might shave off a bit of time, but there’s something magical about simply showing up, giving it your all, and enjoying the ride. That’s the real reward of racing.
You are very welcome, Catrina. Always love a well written race recap.
Holy cow, wasn’t expecting that outcome from the beginning of that post! That is AWESOME! Nothing like some competition to get you moving! haha. What a pleasant surprise- but I think this really speaks to your level of talent. Most people couldn’t just go out undertrained and pull that off!
Ha, Kae! I know, right? I didn’t expect it either, sometimes the body surprises you when the head is too cautious.
And yes, a bit of competition definitely gets the juices flowing! Honestly, I think luck had a hand too, but I’ll happily take the happy surprise. If only every race turned out that way!
Congratulations again!🎊 I got bumped off the notification list. I checked manually as I had not seen any postings lately. Here there are two missed ones😅💦
Best to go into a race not expecting much as you can never be guaranteed the result you expect! Always my thinking. Over prepare and often you just get injured too.
Racing is pivoting at the moment & making decisions as you go along. Looks like you did that exactly. Go with the flow and it felt natural. When you train like you do, you are never out of shape.
You do have talent. Perhaps it is not what you expect in having an advantageous physiology, but perhaps more in sheer determination. Many w physiological advantages don’t do well because they lack determination! That is why you have a huge advantage!
Yeah flowers are a bad choice! What were they thinking? 😅💦 Poles, food, money and other gear! Yes! Flowers? Noooo.
Great drawing. You can see how simple it is but also how effective!
Keep up the good work 🏃♀️💨🤚
Thanks so much, Yves! 😊 Ah yes, I fiddled around with the WordPress settings recently and unintentionally stopped notifications from going out….sorry about that! I hope that as of next Tuesday everything will be back to normal.
Thank you for checking the blog manually and commenting!
I totally agree with you, going into a race without big expectations is such a smart approach. Overpreparing can just lead to injuries, and pivoting on the fly often feels more natural. It was exactly like that for me, and it worked out better than I imagined.
I also think you’re spot on about determination. I’ve seen so many physiologically gifted runners struggle when they lack grit, while someone with sheer persistence can surprise themselves and everyone else. And yes, flowers… really, who thought that was a prize? 😅
I’m glad you liked the drawing too! Simple but effective, just like you said! 😀🙌