I have played several sports. I was good at some of them :) I knew how to anticipate the moves of the opponent. I knew how to push myself when my body didn't feel like it. I knew how to encourage teammates. I knew how to win and I knew how to lose.
I have watched other sports. I have read books written by coaches. I have always known that sports take mental toughness. However, endurance running is an entirely different animal. The brain controls so much of what happens out there. Sometimes your body is tired and sometimes your brain is tired and guess which matters more???
Here is my train of thought during my most recent long run experience.
Night before:
While running:
In the summer time, I am always thinking of the cold drink waiting for me afterwards or what kind of food Adam will make for me. Today, I thought, what kind of warm clothes can I put on when I get out of this shower? And did NOT get out until I thought I would be dressed warmly enough!
The brain is amazing...and confusing :)
For those who wonder, I run for the views...
These are in CA and my favorites!
I have watched other sports. I have read books written by coaches. I have always known that sports take mental toughness. However, endurance running is an entirely different animal. The brain controls so much of what happens out there. Sometimes your body is tired and sometimes your brain is tired and guess which matters more???
Here is my train of thought during my most recent long run experience.
Night before:
- It is SO dark and cold out there and I am up late. I really don't want to run tomorrow.
- You have a babysitter already! You can't back out.
Morning of:
- 14 degrees???!!!! Oh my goodness! It is going to be so cold.
- The sun is out though. It will be nice.
Waiting on others:
- Sun's out, I'll go ahead and get out of my car first.
- Yeesh! It's kinda chilly still.
- Why aren't we running? Do we have to take a photo? Come on, put on your gloves, so we can go!
- Could I cuddle with that dog while I wait? (Note: I am terrified of most dogs!)
While running:
- Mile 1 - It's not so bad out, just get your breath regulated and you will warm up.
- Mile 2 - I'm getting a little hot, off with the gloves!
- Mile 5 - These overdressed people are making me HOT!
- Oh, look there's someone in shorts...that's a bit overkill.
- Mile 6 - I think I should stop soon. Anything after 6 is hard right now.
- Mile 6.75 - Oh! Someone is going farther, I'll join them so they aren't alone.
- Mile 7.2 - You didn't say we had to run PAST my car!
- Sometimes I wish I could carry coffee in this water bottle. I wonder why that isn't a thing? Warm drinks in the winter, cold drinks in the summer...
- Mile 7.5 - Just a little farther, then I'm turning around.
- Mile 8 - Yeah! Headed back to the car!
- Mile 9 - Faster! Don't care what mile it is...it's cold out here :)
In the summer time, I am always thinking of the cold drink waiting for me afterwards or what kind of food Adam will make for me. Today, I thought, what kind of warm clothes can I put on when I get out of this shower? And did NOT get out until I thought I would be dressed warmly enough!
The brain is amazing...and confusing :)
For those who wonder, I run for the views...
These are in CA and my favorites!
Running past the car is always a problem...always.
ReplyDeleteUsually, since I don't often know exactly where I am, I don't have this problem :)
DeleteI really admire you for running! My dad is 70 and still doing marathons and triathlons and he likes to talk about the races with the good views or boring views. He did a marathon in Berlin last fall. He said the hardest ever was in Switzerland where much of it was uphill! Those people are nuts. :)
ReplyDeleteI do try to run at least once whenever we travel, because you just notice different things than you do when in a vehicle. It's always a bit scary for me because it's easy for me to get lost. I would love to do races in other countries ...not the season for that right now though ;)
DeleteThat was really fun to see into your brain for just a few minutes. :)
ReplyDelete