I read quite a lot about running these days. I guess it's something everyone does when they're really into something. You research it, glean insights from others, inform yourself with the latest research and apply what you learn to your own experience.
I read about how to hydrate and fuel myself properly, stretching, cross training, tapering, timing, shoes, cramps, blisters, the benefits of running trails, hills, taking it easy, pushing myself, preparing myself mentally.
The big thing most runners seem to talk about is times - improving them, beating your own PB, when to push yourself, being confident.
It's something I am trying to focus on with my own running. I'd like to get better times and run faster. I have a 10 km run coming up on July 27 and I would really like to do it in 1hr 15min. I kind of need to as I have a performance straight afterwards! To date my best time for a 10 km distance is 1 hr 23 min. I'm really going to have to push it, aren't I? Considering that I also have to tackle Anderson St which is a nasty, nasty hill I'm wondering if I've set the benchmark too high.
Anderson St. I would rather run up the Bolte Bridge - and that's saying something!
But honestly, for the most part, timing doesn't really bother me too much. It probably should, but it doesn't. When I enter into these races my entire focus is on finishing them; to see that finish line ahead of me and know that I've done it. I've achieved a goal I set myself. That seems to be the most important thing. Once I've done it and survived and I know it's achievable then my thoughts turn to doing it faster.
The Run for the Kids 15 km this year was all about survival...and honestly that was what it felt like. It was hard. I couldn't believe how hard it was. Now that I've done it though and I know that I can, next year it will be all about beating my time. I did it in 2 hours and 20 minutes this year. Can I get it down to 2 hours by next March? That's the goal I've set.
To do that, I know that I'll have to complete a half - marathon between now and then. It's mind game you see. If I do a half - marathon then a 15km Fun Run will be a walk in the park. They're the kinds of mental games I play. Like, when I did my first 5km Fun Run I had to make sure that I had run a distance of 8km so that when I lined up at the start I mentally knew that I could do it.
The flip side of all that is that when I have achieved a certain distance it becomes like a benchmark and any distance under that feels like slacking off. I do it with swimming too. Up until last Tuesday I was swimming 30 laps of a 50 metre pool. My PT challenged me to up it to 35. I was really reluctant to because my mind said, "Once you do 35 laps then you'll have to KEEP doing 35 laps every single week or else anything under that will be....failing."
(I only just realized that was the word as I wrote it.)
I'm very aware of the fact that after completing the Run for the Kids in March I haven't run a distance of 15 km since. I've run 11 km and that's the longest distance, despite setting a goal of 16 km into my RunKeeper pretty much straight after the R4K. To be honest though, I've found it difficult being dedicated to distances since the changing of the seasons and the fewer daylight hours. My optimum running time is 6 am but with the coming of winter it's still pitch black at that time. I'm going to come out and say it...I don't like running in the dark. I watch the News.....
So...I guess winter has given me the opportunity to concentrate on my times as I get out there later in the morning and only have a limited time to run before getting ready for work. Fast fives really are fast fives. At the moment I'm concentrating on maintaining bursts of speed, controlling my breathing and technique. Working with my PT has made me aware of the muscles I need to fire up to give me power and to maintain my posture. I've learned the value of recovery.
I still struggling with the false idea that I'm slacking off. I think that's the residual rubbish from the patterns set down by the old eating disorder many moons ago...but I cannot deny the results in the mirror and, most importantly, the general feeling of strength and wellness that is consistently mine these days.
