Mind Over Matter
During my 9 mile run yesterday, I was thinking about what my mind goes through on a long run. 9-10 miles seemed unfathomable to me a few months ago, and actually it still does before I do it every time. I actually get nervous (about what I'm not sure since I can technically stop whenever I want). Here's where my mind usually goes:
Mile 1: I think my legs feel good. A little stiffness here, a little pain there. I'm fine.
Mile 3: Take it slow. We're probably around the 3 mile mark, right? Please let that be right. Only... oh wow... 7 miles left. Don't think about it.
Mile 5: I could quit. I could just stop running. 5 miles is good enough for a day. Maybe I'll stop after this next stop sign.
Mile 7: (At this point, I usually start talking to myself). You can do it. It's ok. Just keep going. Oh God... my legs are so... tired. I'm starving. I'm going to eat a fucking Big Mac when I get home. And a sundae. I want to sleep.
Mile 9: (At a stop sign). Ow... OW! My butt... I can hardly move it. My ankle... cramping. Only one more mile. How many minutes will that take? Maybe 10. I'll be home in 10 minutes.
Mile 10: Thank GOD.
It's always mind over matter. Always. Cardiovascularly I am in SPECTACULAR shape. I have the endurance to run a marathon. However, my muscles are just not there yet, and I don't know if they ever will be. So it takes a lot for me to keep my muscles moving forward when sometimes all they want to do is stop. My half marathon is next week, and then I think I'll take a little break from 10 mile runs for a while.
Mile 1: I think my legs feel good. A little stiffness here, a little pain there. I'm fine.
Mile 3: Take it slow. We're probably around the 3 mile mark, right? Please let that be right. Only... oh wow... 7 miles left. Don't think about it.
Mile 5: I could quit. I could just stop running. 5 miles is good enough for a day. Maybe I'll stop after this next stop sign.
Mile 7: (At this point, I usually start talking to myself). You can do it. It's ok. Just keep going. Oh God... my legs are so... tired. I'm starving. I'm going to eat a fucking Big Mac when I get home. And a sundae. I want to sleep.
Mile 9: (At a stop sign). Ow... OW! My butt... I can hardly move it. My ankle... cramping. Only one more mile. How many minutes will that take? Maybe 10. I'll be home in 10 minutes.
Mile 10: Thank GOD.
It's always mind over matter. Always. Cardiovascularly I am in SPECTACULAR shape. I have the endurance to run a marathon. However, my muscles are just not there yet, and I don't know if they ever will be. So it takes a lot for me to keep my muscles moving forward when sometimes all they want to do is stop. My half marathon is next week, and then I think I'll take a little break from 10 mile runs for a while.