Today's running mantra was to "win slowly", as Jenny Simpson discuses in the article. My take on the phrase is a little different, but it all is part of doing the work. It was my first 80-minute run-the official 'long run' cutoff-and taking a patient and constructive approach was key to today. No comparing my self to previous seasons. No worrying about my pace, just simply putting in the time as comfortably as possible, staying in my head, and walking away with another layer of fitness plaster left to harden.
Another quote from the article is that "running is simple". I tell my runner clients this often and the simplicity of the sport is what keeps me coming back. There is nothing like going out for a 6-miler on a shaded path without a watch. to remind me as such. If an athlete remembers this, then it's easier to get past negative experiences, performances, and avoid completely overthinking everything.
Marathoner Renee Metivier Baillie's coach discusses listening to sensory data. So often we judge our performance, mood, and (I've been super-guilty of this) our overall running ability based on a two-inch square on your wrist. Just like weather data, our own feedback changes daily but tends to have its stable patterns.
Another local coach (and triathlete, believe it or not) told me a couple years ago that the most important thing you can do is to honestly learn to read your own body. Not just running, but at rest too. Obviously, this is not an easy task- that is one reason why having feedback is so popular, IMHO. While I still do train with a HR monitor, I do some runs now that just serve as "study runs".
Rambling philosophies, aside, I continue to enjoy the 3-month slow base-build phase I'm doing and am about to pass the two-month mark next week. The current race I'm training for is just against me and my own strength and weaknesses. And I will win. Slowly.
 |
| Sadly, I am not at the base of this trail, but you get the idea! |
Stay the course.
No comments:
Post a Comment