Do you know the hardest thing about about running for me? It’s the fact that I am suppose to compete against myself and forget the rest of the world. Now, that approach seems like a big excuse for not being as good as everyone else. Many a self help book (and people with a lot of common sense) remind us that we all have limitiations and that it is a good thing to try and exceed them. However it is difficult to not be frustrated when my individual limitation is not due to something in particular, like an illness, but rather is just a general “you suck at this” limitation. I am trying to suck less, true. But, as I read over my previous posts, I see clearly that I just don’t buy the whole ” your only competition is you” approach.
However, with that said, I have evolved in my thinking in a number of ways:
1. I believe my body can adapt to additional stressors and get a bit faster and much fitter.
2. I understand what good training looks like. It involves rest, and then pushing yourself. It also involves taking care of any nagging injuries.
3. Running is a disipline and to get better at running, I just need to run more.
4. I can loose weight if I change my eating habits. I may never be my goal weight, but I can always be fit.
5. Finding a safe place to run can be challenging, but there are ways of fitting it into your day and there are lots of great trails, streets and locations if you look for them.
6. When I run, play soccer, go for a swim etc, others also feel motivated to do exercise and something supportive starts to happen.
7. Having quality gear is important. Adidas running gear is great, particularly the sneakers.
8. Nutritionists are tough people who say terrible things about sugar, much like a straight talking best friend who telsl you your husband is cheating on you. However, they say it because it is true and if you listen, things will change.
9. I really like having a running coach and Tania is great. I think its a shame we have never met, or I never met the other winners or was a part of that great photoshoot in Toronto. However, Canada is big and budget’s are small and I am grateful for the support I have received. I highly recommend Tania and Goalspeed Coaching.
10. I don’t believe that my only competition is myself and I think I always will feel discouragement about running, because I like to be good at things. Other things I can stand being not good at and I always thought of myself a physically capable in lots of ways, but I am just average or below at speed. Another reality check.
Next week is my taper weeks and then I race and I will post to let everyone know my results. It is going to be tough for me to hit 60 minutes for a 10K based on my training times. I will certainly improve over my 67 minute finish last year and I will be in the neighbourhood of 6o. I guess if I make it there will be other lessons, same if I don’t make it. Perhaps that is a lesson to I am also lucky that my friend Erin is going to pace me (thank you for agreeing to run that slow Erin), and another friend Debbie is going to run with me. I am going to push myself and stive for sub 60. However, gotta deal with reality baby.
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Chrystal, I think we are two peas in a pod. I could identify with almost everything you said in that post. Good luck this weekend!
Hi Chrystal, here’s some real data to add to your analysis:
In the 2010 Bluenose 10k results, the first woman age 40-49 to finish in a chip time of 1:00.00 placed 76 out of 346 in that age group. She beat 260 other women between the ages of 40 and 49 years. (You will too.)
Yesterday in your speed workout, you ran repeat 3 min runs (~0.5 km) in 4:50-4:55 /km. (Have you ever been able to hold that pace for that long?)
To optimize your results on race day (and beat 1:00.00), you have got to bring your ‘A’ game mentally and physically. The next week is all about recovery and regeneration so that you feel energized, excited, nervous and motivated to drive hard over 10km. It is going to be a great day.
Sometimes, we need to change our perspective.
It’s is so easy to focus on what we haven’t or “can’t” do, but what about all that you have done?
Look at what tania said above, you KILLED it at a speed training session yesterday – and speed sessions SUCK (for everyone).
You’ll never win the Bluenose Marathon, sure, that’s probably true. But you’ve pushed your body farther than you ever thought you’d be able to – why limit yourself again by assuming that this is all you can do?
You have more strength inside of you than you give yourself credit for. Don’t shut it down for fear of failure. And don’t discredit what you’ve done by measuring it against someone else’s success.
To race against yourself requires a change in mentality, because we are trained (by society) to compete against others. Celebrate others! And celebrate yourself! You’ve had an amazing winter, so believe it lady!
I’ll be cheering at Bluenose next weekend, for each and every runner who crosses that finish line. And I’ll be looking for you around the 59 minute mark! Good luck, you’re going to rock it!
(PS: I’m coaching a 10k running clinic at the Halifax Running Room this summer – you should join!)
Good luck Chrystal – I am sure you will do amazing!
Dear Chrystal :
Hello ! It’s Aleks from Toronto !
Don’t you listen to that negative voice in your head ! You know what I do ? I imagine that it is a red-eyes serpent that starts to slither into my thoughts and I imagine that my confidence is a sword that comes down and cuts the head off of the serpent ! Take that !! Yeah !!
Nothing is going to get in your way of achieving what you want …IF you REALLY want it …do you want to nail this race ? And you can – you’ve trained hard for it …you’ve eaten the right foods, run the right intervals, rested the right amount, you’ve got the best gear from Adidias, now ..you show them what you are made of ..if Chrystal is used to doing things well and getting it done…then show us how !!
Aleks