Although I am amused by the dumb failure, I secretly admire the spirit of someone who sees no barrier to just giving something a go. Also I can never be too critical of someone, going round and round in circles as metaphorical I have spent large sections of my life doing the same thing. Even my running can feel like that at times.
Just like the sailor I set out on my running journey with one simple rule - if I get out enough and run regularly my fitness will improve and I will run better. The most important thing is consistency and that is all I need to know (and in fact despite an amount of reading and a certain amount of experimentation that is all I really know). But although the rule is true there are very many Isles of Sheppy that can send you off course:
- Go out too hard, fail to build gradually, get injured - break the consistency.
- Over estimate your capabilities, get discouraged - break the consistency
- Get distracted by other things (or just life in general)- break the consistency
- Fail to establish the unthinking habit of getting out the door at a regular time, so you leave it too late in the day - break the consistency.
- Repeat the same runs too often so you loose freshness and enthusiasm - break the consistency.
- Get ill - break the consistency.
There are all sorts of reasons for a stop/start programme, some within your control, some outside. The key is to recognise what is happening and re-plan. The advantage of running is that at any point we can pause, reorient ourselves and make changes. There is no reason to get stuck.
3 comments:
Really nice post it reminds of a bloke called Chay Blyth who entered the solo around the world yacht race with no experience of open sea sailing. He did OK i can't remember if he finished but he did go on to be a very famous sailor within the yachting world. That sort of spirit i admire deeply.
The analogy to running that you gave was very interesting and put a smile on my face.
nice post ! Totally agree with this; althoug having said that i am sporting a slight injury from to gard sprinting, one week before my first half marathon in Sydney......keep the routine, learn from mistakes (mine is stretch properly), every setback is a learning opportunity..
im here
http://runnershigh-paul.blogspot.com/
I'm impressed by your perceptiveness about consistency! I work for Oxfam, where we encourage determined runners who get out there every day.
Would you consider putting a link to our pages on your blog? We would be very grateful.
We currently have places for the beautiful Royal Parks Half Marathon and unique Run to the Beat Event.
At Oxfam we treat our runners like the heroes they are. We support you every step of the way and cheer you over the finishing line.
What’s more, run with Oxfam and know your footsteps are echoing around the world, helping passionate, determined people like yourself.
Determination is everything. Run for Oxfam.
Thank you!
Hannah and the Oxfam Running Team
Oxfam – official charity for the London Marathon 2011
Post a Comment