It's all very mental. Running. The preparation and the planning that your brain deals with has a direct link to how your body will react. Most recently I had the exciting pleasure of completing two 10K runs, which I had been trying to do for MONTHS! Just couldn't seem to get there, but then suddenly - I did it. Twice. But how?
I awoke this morning and opened my running gear drawer. "What colour shall I wear today?" I mused. I selected BLUE. Blue T shirt, blue leggings (with yellow go faster stripe folks!), and blue socks. My compression shorts were black though, but seeing as they were underneath my leggings, no-one would see. The compression shorts keep everything in place and I must say, I'm a big fan. So to all you chaps out there, swinging about like birthday balloons in the wind - get yourself a pair!
The hip 'n Glute exercises ARE paying off. I can definitely feel stronger muscles in my upper legs and hips and the troublesome lower legs have had a bit of respite because of this - ergo, no leg discomfort! I'd decided to do 5K this morning. "I'm off out now darling!" - "Ok. You doing 10K again?" - "Not today. Just 5K this morning" - "Oooooh get you. "Just" 5K!!". I was sounding like a runner......
I headed out the door feeling bloody brilliant and once I'd set Endomondo off, I too was off! I started FAST. Really fast and the first K went in a flash. The 2nd was even faster. I wasn't jogging here, I was running. I started to wonder why I had this incredible energy, but then quickly dismissed that thought and enjoyed my speed. I had to overtake three ladies who were walking along the pavement and I'm sure they would have heard that formula one sound "Eeeeeeeeowwwwwwwww" as I passed!
K3 was slower. I was paying the price for the speedy "out of the blocks" two K's I'd just done. I told myself that all was well though and to relax. I find talking to myself during my runs most helpful, and I managed to slow down, get my breath back and to keep the mental image of my legs running in a circular bicycle motion. Then I thought about landing mid foot and before too long, I had another spring in my step. Literally! K4 was slow / jog'ish and K5 was FAST. I stopped running and walked, fishing my phone out as I moved briskly along to see how I'd done - 28'25, so not too bad. Every kilometre was under 6 mins.
As I walked home I thought that there was NO WAY I could have run 10K today. I had mentally prepared to run 5 and I did. The time now isn't really important to me because having accomplished the longer distance of 10K I am more into working out WHAT the best speed is for that. But I get back to my initial point - running is mental. I posed this theory to Mrs Dan a bit later on and she summed it up beautifully....
"Well that's why running is perfect for you Dan. You're mental!"
And with that, she bounced off to bake some muffins......Lucky me eh?!
Happy running folks.
