Yesterday morning I had a great run. I got up a 5:00 AM as per usual for my Friday run but decided to add another kilometer. So I did a 6K run. I would like to build up to 7K over the next few weeks. I want to make running 7-10K distances a normal occurrence. I want them to feel like they are less of a challenge, you know?
I am going to begin exploring the route I will be running. I was talking with a co-worker who ran it last year and she was telling me some of the surprises such as a hill at 18k. So I am going to get to know the route and its nuances so that I can be mentally prepared as well.
Every runner knows that when you are taking on a new challenge it is as much psychological as it is physical. I say this too because my co-worker made a comment later about really struggling when she hits the 18k mark of a race. I asked her if she thought it had anything to do with coming upon that hill in her first 1/2 marathon last year. She paused for a moment and agreed that might well be the cause. For example, if you know that a hill is coming you can fuel up for it, slow your pace a bit to prepare for the additional exertion that will be required.
I have made it a point to get to know the route I am running prior to the race. It just makes sense to me. Now I know we can’t always do this, but if it is at all possible then I would. This race will be incorporating many areas of Vancouver. It starts off going downhill. From what I understand the first 10-12K is relatively easy and not physically very taxing. I think I would prefer this to be the second part of the run. Get all the hard stuff out of the way first, but alas, that is not the case. So I will need to know where the hills are and where I will be most challenged.
Tomorrow morning we are running a 10K. I am ready for it. Later in the day I will be a route marshal for the Alzheimer’s Walk for Memories. Looking forward to it.
I am making changes in my life these days. Changes that are necessary for me to continue to grow. Running has certainly given me an internal strength that has developed into a confidence that I don’t believe I have known before. There is a sense of simply accepting the next road I need to move toward.
I am up for it and look forward to all that opens before me. And you know, I am very thankful for all that I have in my life now. The lessons that have been offered up and what I have taken from them continues to help me expand.
And I hope I can get to that place in my life where I can just be. At a seminar last year a woman told me that she had an ‘enoughness’. There wasn’t really anything more that she needed in her life. She felt a completeness. That struck me and I found myself wondering how I might achieve this state of enoughness. I’m not there yet. That I do know. I am moving in the right direction though.
A funny thing occurred this morning. I had purchased some Yoga DVD’s. At least I thought they were all DVD’s. It turns out one was a CD. I messed about for 45 min. trying to get the image up. I called my daughter who asked me if it was a CD. I felt rather silly in that moment realizing that I had in fact purchased a CD.
I have never been talked through Yoga before. I didn’t try it either. I was too stressed from trying to get my zen on that I opted for a hot shower instead.
Technology. You’ve got to love it.
Wel, enjoy your day everyone. Onward ho!
Power of One by Nancy 