**Grandson Sean William and Mimi**I don't want to get too excited, but I think I might have had a Mental Break Through!!!
(No - not a Mental Breakdown!) Thank Goodness, I was ready for one and I'm sure most of you who have been listening to me complain and whine about my training were ready too. Just recently, I had a really bad running experience. I was barely able to hang-on to my tempo pace and for the last mile I was in tears. I was in fear that I might have taken on more than my body could handle. I truly didn't know if my problem was mental or physical. If it's mental, then I need to work through it. If it's physical, then we (my Coach and I) need to adjust my schedule. I decided not say anything to my Coach for another month and to continue following the schedule. So instead, I emailed one of my good running friends, who just happens to have a lot of running experience. He had great words of wisdom on my last breakdown - that time it was physical. I wasn't fueling my body properly. Well, his response got me again! "Your a tough cookie, and I'm sure most despair is mental." Shazam! Just what I needed to hear! He also gave me several great tips on how to immediately reward myself after a hard workout or a tough week of training.
There's no doubt that when you are training, especially for a specific goal, you have to be focused and remain committed. However, it's important to reward yourself. I was running in the AM and the PM, running to work, writing about running, watching people running, getting my bags packed for running, shopping for running fuel, thinking of how to train Runwell Runners to run better, and getting to bed early for a good night's rest to run again tomorrow! Run, Run, and Run Some More! Well, no wonder I was mentally running out of strength!
If you run yourself into the ground - You will never get to run your race!
So, on that note, what are you doing to reward yourself for all your hard work? I wish all this wisdom was coming from me, but it's not. Although, it is passing through me. However, I'm wise enough to listen and willing enough to try some new solutions.
Here are some good suggestions:
*treat yourself to a Cup of ice cream *chill back on the couch and listen to some of you favorite music *read a non-running book :) *be a couch potato for a night *get a pedicure or manicure * have a girls night out or a guys night out or both! * get a massage!
So, don't skip your rest days and make some time for the fun stuff. It has totally changed my attitude. (That's right - Totally) The next night for my easy run. I actually ran easy and it was the first time in a few months my foot didn't hurt! Amazing! The next morning I tackled Flagpole Hill and completed all of the repeats with no foot problems! I knocked out my 18 miler! (well sort of) I've been hitting a mental wall at 16 miles, but this time, I went at a slower pace and managed to get through the last few miles without hating everyone I could see or think of! Isn't that nice? Yippee! I took myself to a Sunday afternoon movie: "Julie and Julia" - a super sweet and cute flick! And just by rewarding myself, that in itself has helped me refocus mentally and recharge physically on my training. While I'm scheduling out my week, I'm going to be sure to include a few hours of "Me Time". I will leave you with one more thing - a quote from Elvis:
"The mind is a powerful thang.
It can work for you or against you, be careful how use it!"
(No - not a Mental Breakdown!) Thank Goodness, I was ready for one and I'm sure most of you who have been listening to me complain and whine about my training were ready too. Just recently, I had a really bad running experience. I was barely able to hang-on to my tempo pace and for the last mile I was in tears. I was in fear that I might have taken on more than my body could handle. I truly didn't know if my problem was mental or physical. If it's mental, then I need to work through it. If it's physical, then we (my Coach and I) need to adjust my schedule. I decided not say anything to my Coach for another month and to continue following the schedule. So instead, I emailed one of my good running friends, who just happens to have a lot of running experience. He had great words of wisdom on my last breakdown - that time it was physical. I wasn't fueling my body properly. Well, his response got me again! "Your a tough cookie, and I'm sure most despair is mental." Shazam! Just what I needed to hear! He also gave me several great tips on how to immediately reward myself after a hard workout or a tough week of training.
There's no doubt that when you are training, especially for a specific goal, you have to be focused and remain committed. However, it's important to reward yourself. I was running in the AM and the PM, running to work, writing about running, watching people running, getting my bags packed for running, shopping for running fuel, thinking of how to train Runwell Runners to run better, and getting to bed early for a good night's rest to run again tomorrow! Run, Run, and Run Some More! Well, no wonder I was mentally running out of strength!
If you run yourself into the ground - You will never get to run your race!
So, on that note, what are you doing to reward yourself for all your hard work? I wish all this wisdom was coming from me, but it's not. Although, it is passing through me. However, I'm wise enough to listen and willing enough to try some new solutions.
Here are some good suggestions:
*treat yourself to a Cup of ice cream *chill back on the couch and listen to some of you favorite music *read a non-running book :) *be a couch potato for a night *get a pedicure or manicure * have a girls night out or a guys night out or both! * get a massage!
So, don't skip your rest days and make some time for the fun stuff. It has totally changed my attitude. (That's right - Totally) The next night for my easy run. I actually ran easy and it was the first time in a few months my foot didn't hurt! Amazing! The next morning I tackled Flagpole Hill and completed all of the repeats with no foot problems! I knocked out my 18 miler! (well sort of) I've been hitting a mental wall at 16 miles, but this time, I went at a slower pace and managed to get through the last few miles without hating everyone I could see or think of! Isn't that nice? Yippee! I took myself to a Sunday afternoon movie: "Julie and Julia" - a super sweet and cute flick! And just by rewarding myself, that in itself has helped me refocus mentally and recharge physically on my training. While I'm scheduling out my week, I'm going to be sure to include a few hours of "Me Time". I will leave you with one more thing - a quote from Elvis:
"The mind is a powerful thang.
It can work for you or against you, be careful how use it!"
Run Always. Runwell
Coach N-
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