For some insight into my mentality please visit http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running (be ready for some grown-up language ;-) Read all the way through this and you will get a very good look into my own brain, but drawn better. This guy knows. He is a kindred spirit. It will make you laugh, yes, but you will also see why I swim, bike and run, as well as the obstacles I face on my journey.
As I've spent hours and hours out on the road or on the treadmill lately, I am faced with the many ways I use to distract myself. When I am staring down a double-digit run, hill intervals, or a heavy duty core set, I can't be the first to blink. But remember, I am a couch potato by nature.
Just Do It -- Half of life is just showing up. So of course, when it's 5 degrees outside, or I'm nice and comfy in my pjs, how do I get the training done? Whatever people say about Nike, they have one thing right. "Just do it" is the most simple statement. The idea really boils down to, "are you really going to make excuses to NOT do something good for yourself?" Too tired, too busy, too lazy… Nope. Don't give me that. Doesn't fly if you live with a "just do it" attitude. More often than not, when my head isn't in the game, this phrase comes to mind and I go get my shoes. Many times I have to will myself to get my gear -- whether I'm running out my door, or headed to the gym -- but once I'm dressed, motivation hits. There is something about tying my shoes, or putting on a swim cap that makes me want to "just do it."
Taking the Option -- But yes, there are times it's harder. When those times come, I tell myself, "just go for 10 minutes, then see how you feel." 90% of the time I start with that option, I finish a full workout. Because that 90% indicates a lack of mental motivation, rather than physical. The other 10% will probably be the subject of another post.
"TV time" Treadmill -- We had a severe cold snap here in Denver that lasted more than a week. I think it's just dangerous to run outside when it's below 10 degrees. And you REALLY have to talk me into running outside when it's below 20. Options turn indoors. I go to the treadmill at the gym. When you look up the word "boring" in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure there is a picture of a treadmill. Remember when you used to schedule your college classes around Days of Our Lives? Me either, but you get the idea…only for me schedule my treadmill runs around NCIS Los Angeles. Otherwise, I have Netflix on my phone. One episode and I can get 5 to 6 miles in, while completely checked out watching TV. I walk out of the gym physically stronger. Mentally…well, not so much. The nice thing about watching TV, is that I like doing something different during the commercial breaks -- up the incline and/or speed. Basically, it gets done when I'm not even paying attention. I wish the laundry got done that way.
Playlists -- Most of the time, I'm happy with my SBRun list or my Worship music, but anything that is upbeat and fun is usually suitable for any run lasting less than 7 or 8 miles. Anything longer and I throw in a Beth Moore lecture or an audio book. I have occasionally run without music, which is a nice way to mix things up. Unplugging is nice for shorter runs.
Long runs -- These are the hard ones. Just do it isn't always enough. All the great music on iTunes doesn't cut it. Treadmill is out, so no TV. Taking the option? Not if if I want to cross a finish line. So how do I get it done? I plan. I pick a day in the week where that is the only thing on my To Do list. 14, 16, 18, 20 miles…however long, I have one specific day. Yes, the weather doesn't always cooperate, so I have a backup day. I also have a plan for WHERE. Lots of distance, few distractions, and I have to select a route carefully. Then what will I do during the run? Well, write this post, for one…but this is where the playlists come in. The most challenging part is when the pain starts to set in: my feet, my hips, my calves…it all starts to distract me. I stop thinking about my music, and start wondering, "when am I done!?" That wonder then turns into verbalizing aloud my displeasure. Yes, people on the Cherry Creek path have looked at me funny. I start looking at my GPS every 15 seconds or so, and get angry that it has only moved 0.02 miles. Somewhere after the half-marathon mark, I learn the meaning of Mental Toughness. Some folks use visualization as a tool. I do too, but early in a workout when I'm feeling good. All I can visualize when I'm starting to hurt and get cold (or frankly just don't want to be there) is a nice warm shower. This is when I start playing mind games with myself. These include variations on the following:
- Run faster for 30 seconds every 5 minutes
- It's not a 20 mile run, it's 10. Then you turn around.
- Run to the next mile, then walk one minute.
- Switch my water bottle from one hand to the other every mile
- Take a GU every 45 minutes
- See that tree. Just run that far…Okay now to that bench…then that bridge...
- The alphabet animal game -- think of an animal for each letter in the alphabet in order...
Get the idea? Seems trivial or mundane, right? When I have something I can look forward to, even occasionally, the time passes, the miles get done. I have come to call it "tactical misdirection." It's not always pretty, but it gets done.
Let's go back to this morning. I had to run. Had to. If for no other reason than to shake off some of the holidays and do a huge run before I start my taper. Nice and warm on the couch, I finally jumped up and got my running gear. Woohoo! Let's go running! Okay, snow? Let's just see how conditions are. Run for 5 miles, then turn around if it's not working. Conditions weren't great, but I was flying! I hit 5 miles, and just kept going. I ran in an area I never had before, which brought me to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife refuge: So many deer and coyotes that just looked at this strange purple be-decked two-legged creature stumbling along. Completely unconcerned with me. It was beautiful. I turned around at 8 miles, right around the time my run playlist ended. Switching over to my kid's Imagination Movers playlist, I amped up even more. Conditions, altitude, lack of rest and other factors all caught up with me…at mile 15. I declared victory, and walked (limped) the last mile home.
My goals will not be reached if I do not act. The physical body can do many things, but a willing spirit is, in my mind, far more powerful. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak…I don't think I believe that, really. A willing and motivated spirit is formidable. My body is ready, my spirit is willing…but sometimes my brain steps out in front and says, "how about a Venti Mocha and a donut?" I have to shut that guy up. That guy is the blerch. The blerch is me. Must outrun the blerch.
http://theoatmeal.com/blog/justdoitlater
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