Running Secrets

Running has its ups and downs. We can be plagued with injuries or infused with victories.
After years and years of running the only true constant is the sound of my shoe as it strikes the ground.
Runners are dynamic creatures with many reasons to run. For me the reward is a sense of harmony with myself and the world around me. But lately my runs have become a battleground.

Restarting at a base training level may be a solution. 

As Jack Daniels so well put, “Training is often demanding and not necessarily fun, but it should always be rewarding!”

At the end of the run, I want to feel energized and ready to tackle the day.

Do you have any running secrets?

Image BuzzDash

The Finish Line

The Eugene Marathon (May 2 2010)

My physical training is done; now to deal with the mental stuff that fills every waking moment.

“You’re not running fast enough to get in under 2 hours.”
“This will be the first race I DNF!”
“You're over dressing – I will be the only runner in long sleeves.” Ect, etc

So starting today I’m going stop and ask myself, “Is this thought empowering or disempowering?”
Obviously claiming a DNF is defeating the purpose for even running the race. This is just crazy thinking. I’ve run this distance before and know I could even run further if I slowed down.
So instead, I will picture Scott Jurek and remember this line –

“Running fast and running far is not about winning. It's not about money. It's not even about suffering, or redemption. It's about discovery.”

Self-talk is a very powerful way to transform negative thoughts.

What are you thinking about just before a big race?

Recommended read - Ultrarunner Scott Jurek's Story at Runner's World.

-----

A Range of Goals

I like how some runners are now posting goals for their upcoming race.
No longer is one goal proclaimed, but two or three. (As we all know race completion expectations are not so black and white.) I like this plan - no more finish before a blank blank time pressure.


Examples

Runbulldog numbers his outcomes with #1 as the most achievable goal.
“Goal #1 — finish the marathon with a smile on my face and a happy left foot.”
And then they get harder…

Runner26 begins with a summation “My biggest goal is to remain uninjured.”
She then starts with her most ambitious goal and ends with this; "I'll take it…I trained decently, ran for fun, and had a blast!”

Runnerkara has a 10k race this Saturday. Her typical goal is to beat her last time – despite lack of training or wellness...


Possibilities:

"The best pace is a suicide pace, and today is a good day to die." - Steve Prefontaine

"What Was I Thinkin"

-----