Making Lemons Into Lemonaide
Training methods and techniques are really what is interesting in running to me.
I am not talking so much about the professional athletes, but of the runners who run on their own steam and put together their own training schedule, not just for fun running. Incorporating in their schedule smaller and larger goals - marathons triathlons and so on, and on the way having to deal with motivation to get up and run, planning a training schedule that will increase their fitness effectively towards their goals, without getting themselves injured on the way, and without disrupting or interfering with the other recreational plans they and their families might have.
One such runner and blogger, who is training for a marathon is Eric Gervase
Whose blog is inspirational to me. This is from a post he wrote about doing a planned sixteen miler, even though he was not in top form for it and how he planned it out…
So, I set out for my 16 miler to do a 4 mile loop 4 times. I figured, this way I could at least get a gauge for how I was feeling every 4 miles. My thought was that I could most definitely make it 8 and probably 12, but 16 was almost out of the question. I got through the first 4 with not too much trouble. And then, the second 4 actually started to feel like I was loosening up. Could I make all 16?
Aha… it was mile 10 or so and the legs started tightening. I hit the halfway mark of my 2 mile course and was pretty sure it would be my last lap. As I was approaching the final uphill towards my house, I really want to push on. I’m sick of giving up on my LSD’s. However, I knew if I went up the hill, it was over. So, I turned around and went back to flatter ground. As a result of that turn around, I got an extra mile in that I’m sure I wouldn’t have.
So, instead of settling for 12, I got to a full 13. That’s not 16 for those counting at home, but I was really proud of myself for pushing through a really tough run. My legs will be caught up from soccer by next week and I will have a test waiting for me on my LSD. I really think I’ll make it and get back on track. But… for now, I’ll have to enjoy my 13.
I love this attitude. In western culture - not to succeed is a failure. In Eastern culture - each failure is an attempt at success. Much better attitude.
