I’ve learnt a staggering amount about running and myself since I started running back in Aug’10. But this lesson in particular is a biggy.
It came on todays long run of 15 miles. Previously my longest run was 13.3 miles. I should have done 14 last week, but due to foot pain and exhaustion I could only manage 13. Which, is significant. I’ve been able to quiet my mind during a run before. The motivational effects of Dean Karnazes’s book Ultra Marathon Man are not to be under estimated. However, I gave the book to a friend who hadn’t read it and haven’t bought another copy since.
I know I can do 10 miles. So it was no shock that things started hurting at 10.8 miles. The inner conversation went something like this:
- Body: Your right hamstring is about to give out and your feet have had enough. You’re struggling. I don’t know how much longer you can go on.
- Mind: Wait. Who’s actually in charge here? Me or you?
- Body: Erm…
- Mind: Yes. Me, and I say we continue.
- Body: …..
- Mind: It’s a lovely afternoon for running isn’t it?
- Body: …..
And that was it. I imagined the central communication system between my mind and body to be a motorway. On the body side of the carriageway it was packed. Rush hour. Masses of messages about what body part is about to give out next. On the Mind side of the carriageway, nothing. 2am in the morning. You could hear birds cheeping.
So… what’s the difference between last weeks 13-miles-couldn’t-do-14, and todays 15? Answer: nothing. Only attitude. If anything I’d say I felt a bit more beat-up than last week. I’ve been trying to fit a kitchen at the same time, but that’s another story.
So here’s the comparison between last week and this week:
|
|  | |
| This weeks 15 miles |
 |  | |
| Not so much distance, but more loops | More adventure and getting lost |
So, slower than last week, in a nutshell, but the lesson learnt was off the scale and so worth it. So… on to 16 next week!
No comments:
Post a Comment