Today I find myself on the couch. On the couch after 14km that included 6.2km of sweet, sweet speed. For the last eight weeks I have followed a running program to the letter. The program will hopefully have me set for a PB at the Canberra Marathon on April 15. The beauty of the program is that every week there are fresh challenges. This week has been great fun already and there’s more to come. On Saturday I will be doing a 34km run with the last 10km at marathon pace, ie: 4.28 per km.
A few weeks ago I looked at tonight’s challenge and Saturday’s long run and wondered how on Earth I would be able to even get close to completing them. The thing is when I wondered, I probably wasn’t capable, but small steps, day after day and all that sort of blah, blah, blah actually works really well.
So many times in the past I have made new year type resolutions or wished that by a certain stage I would be bigger, faster, healthier etc.. Other big plans may have included cleaning out the shed or weeding that area down the side of the house that gets ignored and turns into a jungle. So often these aims and targets have not been met. It all comes down to one reason. Wanting it and doing it are two very different things. I can’t expect to clear the jungle in one session. But if I keep going back every day, eventually it will be under control. Luckily for me I keep going back each day to do more running. Unfortunately the jungle continues to grow, guess I don’t want it enough.
What do you want that requires a commitment day after day?
I think really hard work includes an extended amount of time. In my training I find speed work to be an easier option than a long run. In both, there are the same demons in my mind telling me to stop, telling me it’s too hard and the clever demon trying to convince me that I’ve done well enough already, I don’t have to push hard for that extra 10 or 15% effort. But in the ‘long run’ the demons have more time to work me over. In the speed work they don’t have too long to do their thing. Smashing them can take seconds rather than hours.
I guess that day after day commitment is where so many slip up. It can be all too daunting. I admit to watching Biggest Loser and wonder how many of them will still be exercising several days a week this time next year.
I’ve got a few things going on with running at the moment, outside of my own training, that I hope will continue for years to come. I hope all those involved keep going back day after day.
Up until a couple of weeks ago I was coaching two kids. They got better at running and achieved great things. They went from running as little as 500m to smashing 8km and yesterday one of them won his school cross country event. That’s all fantastic but I think the best thing would be if they just continue to love running, love fitness and stay active through their teens and beyond.
My brother recently got married and on the morning of his wedding he went for a run. He is at the start of his fitness fascination. When he meets his kids one day, they’re going to have a great role model.
My school recently appointed a guy to the new position of ‘Director of Community Sport’. The school will be taking part in the Marysville to Melbourne multi-sport event. http://www.marysville2melbourne.com.au/default.aspx
There will be parents, teachers and students as young as 14 all forming teams to participate. These health and fitness opportunities are giving a bunch of people a focus and direction that will hopefully last forever, day after day.
Oh yeah, remember this bloke on the left?
He featured in a blog post over a year ago now…. http://www.running4urlife.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/success-what-is-it.html
Well he has lost 25kgs. He’s been going back day after day. Now have a look.
