I'll be back on the trails here in Orange County today. On the schedule is an eight mile general aerobic run with 10 100 yard stride outs. I'm sure I'll end up choosing the CDM to Crystal Cove route again. This has evolved into my favorite route - despite running on a sidewalk on a busy road for a short distance, the varied terrain and wonderful views make it a beautiful run.
I'm finding that these eight to ten mile runs are getting easier and easier. Sometimes I feel that I'm not running very fast, but I think the increased aerobic base is starting to have it's benefits. This past weekend, I bettered my 10K PR by 32 seconds even though I started out tired. That can only be explained by being able to run farther faster and by carrying less weight when I am running. There was a comment posted yesterday about me mentioning an "easy" 14 mile run. Well - to be sure - 14 miles *is not* easy. But, I am finding that it no longer intimidates me the way 14 miles did a year ago. I know that I can go 14 to 16 miles without too many problems. I'll need a nap, and I'll be sore the next day, but my confidence to accomplish a run of that distance is way up.
And now the title of today's post "Doing It". A tweet from runkerrierun really got me thinking:
"All my old friends want me 2 help them lose weight. I write it all down & spend the time & then they don't do it."
Well, folks, I'm proof that if you "do it", it will happen! I am amazed at what I've been able to accomplish. I am amazed that race after race I go out and set new PRs. I am amazed that 14 miles is doable and 16 miles is well within my reach. I am amazed that I've lost over 45 pounds.
I got here by "doing it". Not by making a lot of excuses on why I can't. Or why I shouldn't. Or why the plan is wrong or why I know more than Hal Higdon or Pete Pfitzinger or Jack Daniels. It's having the trust in those far wiser than me that know what they are doing when they put a training plan together.
Start trusting your plan. If you are injured - take the weeks or months off and get better. If you are tired - take a day off. If you had a bad run - get over it. Close the book on that one - learn what you didn't do right, fix it, and then carry on with the plan. All good plans have the flexibility to allow you to do that. Have the patience to let things happen. But most important - trust. Trust those who know what they are doing. They have planned the work using years of experience with thousands of athletes. Now - it's up to you to stop doubting and work the plan.
(Rant is now over. Back into my hole.)
It was nice meeting u to! Thanks for todays rant, it was a very positive rant at that! :) I look forward to seeing you at more runs!
ReplyDeleteYou make an important point.
ReplyDeleteBut I do think there's something psychological going on.
You have to be *ready* to do it, not just intellectually aware of what you need to do. Which is why telling friends what to do doesn't work.
You clearly were ready. So was I. But, there was certainly times in the past where I knew what I *should* be doing before I was mentally or emotionally capable of doing it.
Excellent points!! I can't wait to get out there again and "Do it". Thanks for the reminders.
ReplyDeleteGood advice to any runner! Stick to a plan and it will work. No more excuses!
ReplyDeletegreat 'rant'. i kind of see it more as motivation though, so i hope you aren't offended :)
ReplyDeletei'm still waiting for the day when 20 miles is not-intimidating. is that possible? lol
Great post, Glenn! It is amazing what one can accomplish with patience, discipline, and a will to make a positive change. Very nicely stated, and keep on doing it!
ReplyDeleteExcellent rant, Glenn. It reminds my of a chapter in Once a Runner where Quentin Cassidy is feeling somewhat out of place at a cocktail party and getting tired of people questioning his running:
ReplyDelete"What was his secret they wanted to know; in a thousand different ways they wanted to know The Secret. And not one of them was prepared, truly prepared, to believe that it had not so much to do with chemicals and zippy mental tricks as with that most unprofound and sometimes heartrending process of removing molecule by molecule, the very tough rubber that comprised the bottoms of his training shoes."