Getting Down to the Gritty

Somewhere in the last year I skimmed through an article on grit.  Not like grits that you eat but grit the personality trait.  I wish I could remember where I saw it, but I don't.  It sort of stuck with me though.  We as runners possess this trait. Grit is defined as a perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Sound like a runner to you?  Yep me too.  Runners pick a goal.  For me it is usually a half marathon and then I spend all summer training to run a half marathon.  I don't quit because I had a bad training day.  I didn't quit when my first half marathon went disastrously and I swore I would never do one again.  Instead I persevered.  I learned from my mistakes and went for the second one with a whole new strategy that ignited a love for the half marathon distance.

Other psychological traits that are similar to grit are perseverance, hardiness, resilience, ambition and the need for achievement.   (Wikipedia gives a pretty good breakdown of how they are similar and different HERE)

Additional research suggests that people with grit:

• report experiencing more happiness than those who are less gritty, even when controlling for age and education;
• earn higher GPAs than their non-gritty classmates, even with lower SATs scores;
• are more likely to outperform in spelling bee contests, regardless of verbal IQ. (source)

I thought the spelling part was pretty funny because I actually am a pretty good speller and often recite the spelling of words out loud spelling bee style when people ask me how to spell something.

So what does grit mean to me?  Do I feel like I have grit? 

Grit is getting out there day after day and getting it done even on the days you want to feel sorry for yourself and read a book.  

Grit is pushing yourself to the goal times of your workout even though it may feel uncomfortable.

Grit is making myself run uncomfortably hard because I know it will make me a stronger faster runner.  

Grit is digging deep within myself during a race and finding a new faster pace.  

Grit is accepting that races don't always go like I had planned or desired and learning from my mistakes. 



My Mom decided she did not need her kindle anymore since she has the app on her iPad and iPhone.  Why I am telling you this?  Because she gave me her Kindle and I LOVE it!  I have been wanting one, but it has been taking a back seat to all of my running expenses.  It fits on my elliptical so much better than a book does and I don't have to worry about the pages staying open so I can read it!  I spend  a lot of time on the elliptical in the winter as I do not have a tread mill.  I run outside as much as I can but when it is 30 below zero and windy, it is really hard to get motivated to freeze outside.

If you have a spare minute PLEASE send me a vote HERE for Team Refuel! The contest ends Saturday and I am so ready for it to be over so I can find out already.  I really want to win!

Speaking of winning, if you vote and you can have a bonus entry for the Sparkly Soul headband giveaway I have HERE.  Just leave me a comment on the giveaway post! 

What is grit to you?

Do you feel like you get grittier with age?