Recurring theme
Scanning over my running logs and entries in this blog from the past several years I see something that has got to change. I have time and again run myself into top shape only to succumb to an injury that could have been avoided. Foolishly pushing myself when I've reached a point of diminishing returns.
I've heard it said that injuries are the nature of the business of running. I suppose there's some truth to that.
I ran for years without any significant injuries so I know it can be done. Looking at the injury-free years and the most recent string of injury-riddled years, I see obvious differences.
My reason for running had changed and my level of patience had changed.
I ran for years in some sort of continuous glow of self approval. I was happy with the progress I was making so I just stayed the course without ever pushing beyond normal discomfort levels.
This approach protected me from over use or extreme effort. With my mind-set there really was no reason to search for satisfaction in my training..........I was being spoon fed bowls full of satisfaction on a weekly,monthly and yearly basis.
Then I got selfish.
I started thinking too much. I listened to everyone telling me I was superman. "You ought to fly to this national race or that international race" I was told.
I was looking for satisfaction somewhere besides the daily run. I abandoned the very reason I ran in the first place.
Recently I have been rejuvenated with the progress I have been making in the long road back to fitness. I have been reminded of the early days out on the roads.
Running and discovering. They go hand in hand if you let them.
Running and discovering. That is precisely my plan. I am tired of 'come-backs'. I plan on staying right where I'm at fitness- wise. Happy with today's effort without wondering if it translates into anything beyond enjoyment here and now.
11 in the hills today and it felt great!!!
I've heard it said that injuries are the nature of the business of running. I suppose there's some truth to that.
I ran for years without any significant injuries so I know it can be done. Looking at the injury-free years and the most recent string of injury-riddled years, I see obvious differences.
My reason for running had changed and my level of patience had changed.
I ran for years in some sort of continuous glow of self approval. I was happy with the progress I was making so I just stayed the course without ever pushing beyond normal discomfort levels.
This approach protected me from over use or extreme effort. With my mind-set there really was no reason to search for satisfaction in my training..........I was being spoon fed bowls full of satisfaction on a weekly,monthly and yearly basis.
Then I got selfish.
I started thinking too much. I listened to everyone telling me I was superman. "You ought to fly to this national race or that international race" I was told.
I was looking for satisfaction somewhere besides the daily run. I abandoned the very reason I ran in the first place.
Recently I have been rejuvenated with the progress I have been making in the long road back to fitness. I have been reminded of the early days out on the roads.
Running and discovering. They go hand in hand if you let them.
Running and discovering. That is precisely my plan. I am tired of 'come-backs'. I plan on staying right where I'm at fitness- wise. Happy with today's effort without wondering if it translates into anything beyond enjoyment here and now.
11 in the hills today and it felt great!!!
posted by Hawk at
10:01 AM
1 Comments:
Sounds like your in a mental sweet spot of running zen, where by the swift act of the daily rus is part of a greater lifetime process, and the process is itself a reward and nothing at all. Great work this year, coming back from an injury, whether its over training or just crappy luck is tough stuff, so don't forget to take time to give yourself a pat on the back for grinding it back into shape from a pretty perilous position. You earned that smile in the mirror and twinkle in your eye ;-)
By
Greenrok, At
December 29, 2010 at 9:18 PM
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