Two weeks ago I attempted my first 20 mile run and I failed. I completed the run, with several bouts of walking, but a failure just the same. What I learned from that failure set me up for this weeks 20 miles of success.
After fearing the upcoming 20 mile run for almost 2 weeks, I decided I had better get my mind right before I dug myself into a hole that would be damn hard to dig out of. I ordered another piece of equipment and armed myself with the knowledge I had gained from the first attempt. The mistakes I made were all ones that could have been avoided, and ones I had been warned about from others who have taken this journey before. Some lessons are best learned through experience.
On a “warm” and sunny morning I set out on my run. I planned a new route with different challenges to help keep me from getting into a rut. I had stashed water bottles on my route and wore the new fuel belt I had purchased. I slowed my pace down to be inside the window of my plan, instead of always trying to beat those times. I set my nutrition times closer together to keep up/stay ahead of it, as opposed to falling behind on my caloric needs.
The run was largely text book. Other than the crazy yellow eyed dog that chased me and forced me to walk for about 30 seconds, the run went according to plan.
What was different? I took out 2 huge variables, hydration and nutrition. The first time I ran 20 miles the average temperature was around 26 degrees, so having good weather was a huge boost for my confidence. I only had to battle some wind, and in the end I almost got down to my shorts, but I am glad I stuck with pants!!! I also ran with purpose. I knew that if I failed this run I would force myself to try it again next week and put off my taper. I am glad that is a road I did not have to take!
The knowledge or “distance confidence” I gained from a SUCCESSFUL 20 mile run sets me up nicely to attempt my 3:30 marathon in a few weeks. I am more in-tune with what my body is telling my when I get past that 15 mile mark. I understand why people “bonk” after mile 20.
I am glad I failed on my first try. I am glad that I did not listen to those who told me “hey it’s ok, I couldn’t run 20 miles” or “you gave it your best shot, you’ll do better next time”. That is a bunch of SHIT!!! I do not care that you can not run 20 miles, and, at the time, I did not believe that I could do better next time. I took a knock-out style punch when I had to walk that ¼-1/2 mile on the first try. For the first time on this journey did I realize that I could fail. Failure is not an option, it is a consequence. For me, it was the consequence for lack of preparation. I am proud of myself for looking deep inside and deciding that I would do what it took to make my second attempt a success.
So for those of you who want to rest on the comments of idle bystanders, good luck ever completing your goals. For those of you who are willing to dig deep within and learn from your mistakes, keep up the good fight!
As of this post, I have logged 394 miles training for this marathon. There is also the hours of spinning I have done on my bike trainor and the laps that I have swam in the pool. I have enjoyed most of them and learned a lot about who I am and who I want to be.
I would like to thank my friend and mentor CJ for his great advice and training tips during this journey. He is the one who told me to “suck it up and figure it out”. He knew the answer all along; he also knew I had to figure it out for myself if it was going to mean anything.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Get off the fence, you are killing your future.
Moderation? It's mediocrity, fear, and confusion in disguise. It's the devil's dilemma. It's neither doing nor not doing. It's the wobbling compromise that makes no one happy. Moderation is for the bland, the apologetic, for the fence-sitters of the world afraid to take a stand. It's for those afraid to laugh or cry, for those afraid to live or die. Moderation...is lukewarm tea, the devil's own brew.
Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior
A friend sent this to me the other day and got me thinking. I work in the healthcare industry at a large area hospital. I see people die on a regular basis. I also see families keep people alive, on machines and drugs, to avoid having to “deal” with the reality of death for a few more days. I have made my wishes to my family and friends as to what I want done in the “End” if it comes down to it. I have also told other friends what to do to said family members if my wishes are not carried out. Call it “end of life” insurance. That’s for another day.
Today is all about being Healthy. A friend of mine brought up this point in a conversation today. “Why are Americans so FAT?” A HUGE question to tackle, in more ways than one. I, myself, think people are lazy, just plain lazy. The days of hard work and sweat in this country have long been replaced by an entitlement and “ME” society. I pay taxes so those same lazy people can get free healthcare. I work out 6 days a week, spend money on quality food, and I try to keep my weight up to military specs (5’ 8” tall = 169 lbs to be fit…if I recall correctly). What if that was a requirement for food stamps, or a welfare check. What if you had to meet a fitness standard to get your “free” money each month? Diabetes’s, Heart Disease, and High Blood Pressure are just a few examples of things we spend billions of dollars on each year that could, in large part, be eliminated with a good diet and healthy exercise habits. I do not expect anyone to have to complete a marathon to get the aid they need. I do think that our tax dollars would be better spent on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Not processed food and soda pop. People are up in arms about soda pop taxes these days. I hate taxes as much as the next guy, but I like this one. Let’s throw in any beverage that is high in any of the corn syrup derivatives, not just the carbonated ones. As long as that money goes directly to pay for education about healthy lifestyles and helping people get better foods. As a nation of lazy people we have blamed everyone but ourselves for the mess we are in. Wake up, take a good hard look at your life, and make changes that will keep you out of the doctors’ offices and hospitals. Healthcare is cheap, when you do not need to use it!!!
That brings me back to the quote from Dan Millman. The time for fence sitting is over. This nation will crumble under its own debt, based on Medicare expenses alone, if we do not get off the fence and make it happen. If you want to be “free” and do what you want to, I am OK with that. Just make sure you are not spending my money to keep your fat ass from dying. Tell your friends, get the movement started, one healthy person at a time.
Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior
A friend sent this to me the other day and got me thinking. I work in the healthcare industry at a large area hospital. I see people die on a regular basis. I also see families keep people alive, on machines and drugs, to avoid having to “deal” with the reality of death for a few more days. I have made my wishes to my family and friends as to what I want done in the “End” if it comes down to it. I have also told other friends what to do to said family members if my wishes are not carried out. Call it “end of life” insurance. That’s for another day.
Today is all about being Healthy. A friend of mine brought up this point in a conversation today. “Why are Americans so FAT?” A HUGE question to tackle, in more ways than one. I, myself, think people are lazy, just plain lazy. The days of hard work and sweat in this country have long been replaced by an entitlement and “ME” society. I pay taxes so those same lazy people can get free healthcare. I work out 6 days a week, spend money on quality food, and I try to keep my weight up to military specs (5’ 8” tall = 169 lbs to be fit…if I recall correctly). What if that was a requirement for food stamps, or a welfare check. What if you had to meet a fitness standard to get your “free” money each month? Diabetes’s, Heart Disease, and High Blood Pressure are just a few examples of things we spend billions of dollars on each year that could, in large part, be eliminated with a good diet and healthy exercise habits. I do not expect anyone to have to complete a marathon to get the aid they need. I do think that our tax dollars would be better spent on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Not processed food and soda pop. People are up in arms about soda pop taxes these days. I hate taxes as much as the next guy, but I like this one. Let’s throw in any beverage that is high in any of the corn syrup derivatives, not just the carbonated ones. As long as that money goes directly to pay for education about healthy lifestyles and helping people get better foods. As a nation of lazy people we have blamed everyone but ourselves for the mess we are in. Wake up, take a good hard look at your life, and make changes that will keep you out of the doctors’ offices and hospitals. Healthcare is cheap, when you do not need to use it!!!
That brings me back to the quote from Dan Millman. The time for fence sitting is over. This nation will crumble under its own debt, based on Medicare expenses alone, if we do not get off the fence and make it happen. If you want to be “free” and do what you want to, I am OK with that. Just make sure you are not spending my money to keep your fat ass from dying. Tell your friends, get the movement started, one healthy person at a time.
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