3 posts tagged “take it and run thursday”

Today's Runner's Lounge Take it and Run Thursday challenged us to finish the following thought: As you start your marathon (or half marathon) training, don't forget....to enjoy the experience. 

Too many times we get caught up in the details (numbers, speed work, attire, hills, hydration, nutrition, cross training, etc.)  While these things are important they can sometimes make us lose focus of the main goal or bog us down.  We train because the distance deserves it and because we love to run.  Remember how far you have come and realize that you can always improve but ENJOY that you are able to run and be PROUD that you are doing something that most people don't understand.

(I apologize, I did write this on Thursday but had saved it instead of publishing.)

...I had hit the frickin' wall and was in the miserable mind-game phase of my long run when I reached down and discovered my bottle was empty.  I grasped at the other two and found them to be empty as well.  "How can this be?"  I thought in utter disbelief since I was doing everything like I had previously.  Yet, I forgot to account for the fact that today it was a good 5-7 degrees C hotter.  I distinctly remember unscrewing the caps and trying to get any last drop.  The next place I could get water at was three miles away.  There was no shade and I could feel the panic start to spread.  I asked a few people around me if they had any water they could spare.  No dice.  My brain said "now you HAVE to pick up the pace so you can get water."  Probably counter-intuitive but that's what happened. 

I visualized swimming in the ocean that I was running around.  I thought how nice it would be to take a shower once the run was over.  How good some watermelon would taste.  I was definitely feeling the heat and not completely with it.  Once I realized how ridiculous I was being I told myself to suck it up and stop griping and that millions of people would love to have fresh water daily at their disposal.  I could run into a Starbucks and get free water if I couldn't make it to the water fountain unlike those that face the very real possibility of contracting dysentery from their local water supply.  Still, it was not a fun three miles and once I saw the outdoor pool come into view I knew that I was almost there.  Municipal water never tasted so good.

Fortunately, the lesson was learned as I have never had this problem again.  I now usually plant more water for long run routes, and make sure I'll have more water than I think I will need.  I put out some Gatorade just in case the water isn't doing it's trick.  If I'm traveling I take into account the difference in weather and humidity.  When it comes to hydration being over prepared is significantly better than risking dehydration or heat stroke.

Training Plans.

Hmmm.

What two cents do I have to add about this topic?  That's a hard one because I am usually pretty spontaneous when it comes to these things.  In any sport I've been a part of sign ups for races or competitions have, more often than not, been on a whim.  I'd say that 98% of competitions I have done are because someone has asked me to do one with them or challenged me to it.  (Both of which I find fun reasons.)

Some important things I have learned are:
- Believe in yourself
- Follow your training plan as much as you can
- Ask questions if you have them
- Have fun

When I first trained for a running event I followed a plan by Sport Med B.C. led by one of my teachers who just said "I'm getting a group of us together to run a 10k, do you want to join?" "Sure!"  That was that.

After that race, I have mainly implemented training plans that I've found via the web or books which looked do-able to me in terms of progression.  Sometimes I would switch it up a little if things weren't quite working out.  A lot of times I run my "own" race.

All my legit race sign ups for running have been a quick-fire decision.

Even in terms of marathon training.  I ran the Sun Run last April and someone at the finish line handed me a Team In Training pamphlet.  It hit a nerve with me...I went to one of the info sessions and signed up.  No one asked me to run with them or challenged me to do it.  It was more for personal reasons after having a previously tough year.  So I just went for it head first, igniting the challenge unto myself.  It turned out to be much more than I could have imagined and I learned a copious amount of knowledge about myself, others, and running itself.

When I attempt to think about my next marathon I get hives (figuratively.)  It's funny because I am such a logical, linear thinker for the most part.  I like things in order, I like schedules, I like making and crossing off things on my to do lists, I like looking at statistics, I like to make pro/con lists.  You get the idea.

Being spontaneous in terms of race sign up may at first seem weird.  However, the thought process in my head goes like this, "What training plan will I pick?  How many people are in the race?  How much will a flight/hotel/food cost?  What is the weather typically like?  Traffic? What if I get sick?  Will I be able to get time off? Etc..."  It technically paralyzes me in fear of all the logistics.   So if I randomly sign up for something then I DON'T think about these things until after because I can't risk a DNF.  Bizarre, I know. 

I know it's beneficial to at least pencil out goals (which I DO have...I just don't like to share them.) I would LOVE to be able to hire a coach but for now, my own training plans are working fine.  I have started to log my runs (it IS helping, fyi.)  I'm working on it. 

So, I guess my long-winded point is do what gets you to run.  There is a different "perfect formula" for each person.  If you're new to running and want to test the waters then ask questions, research, and pick something that you feel is slightly out of reach but attainable none-the-less.  If you are a seasoned runner, you probably just think I'm crazy now.  :P  I know it's such a shocker for you to find out I'm not perfect.

(Yes, that last sentence was sarcasm, juuuust in case you were thinking I'm narcissistic for a second there.)