I just used the dangling carrot analogy with my running clinic.
In doing so, I effectively called everyone a donkey.
That’s OK because I called myself the chief ass.
SMOOTH.
Category Archive: running logs
Good at what I do
As you know I’m once again coaching a half marathon clinic. To some extent I seem to be well received as a coach. I do my best to inspire my group and keep them motivated. Even though this is now my third time leading this distance, it’s not like my leading style hasn’t changed. My emails still remain consistent. My routes are characteristic–if someone in the know saw one of my routes they’d be able to point out that it’s probably mine. No, to me I feel like me speaking style has changed. I would guess that the first time I ran this clinic I must have been a little shy and visibly nervous. There must have been nights where the doubt must have been visible in my eyes. These days I almost feel like I’m more open and a bit more brash when I talk. I trust that I know what I’m doing. I have a lot of knowledge to offer, and I’m going to make sure people listen. If people are doing something silly I’m going to call them out on it. I know what I want for my clinic. My goal is to get to the end with minimal injuries among the group. I will be vocal to make sure people are paying attention. Heh, of course, this isn’t to say that I’m strict. Nah, I do my best to maintain my levels of positivity. If not me, then who else, right? What I’m saying is that there’s no reason for me to be shy. I’m good at what I do. I know that people will benefit one way or another.
Growing crowd
Umm…there are 35+ people in my clinic. And with last minute sign ups the number is going to go up.
Hoooooly crap! Yes, it’s going to be a rocking clinic, but…holy responsibility.
More learning moments
This morning marked my first run in about a month, and really my first run in this summer heat for this season. I wasn’t sure how I’d fare, but I actually tried pushing a bit harder than I normally would. Big mistake. I ended up fading earlier than expected. Also, I ended up slightly dehydrated, and that’s really just due to not enough preparation the night before. I only brought a single bottle of water, and I drank through it pretty quickly. Sure sign for me that I wasn’t well-hydrated before anyway. Well, chalk it up to a lesson learned. Even after having run for years, I still have learning moments. I kind of feel like all of this trouble is sort of a price I have to pay for taking a break. I don’t regret taking my time off, but it’s not like there aren’t any consequences. I expect a bit more pain before I get back into a groove.
Can’t wait to start again
Over the lunch hour I was fortunate to meet up with one of my running buddies that works in kind of the same area as I do. In discussion I was reminded that my coaching gig starts in about two weeks or so. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again: I can’t wait to start again. It’s not just because I’m secretly yearning to be active again. I mean, that’s a big part of it, but it’s not the big thing. I am looking forward to being out there again helping other people to reach their goals.
I’ve been discussing this with various people over the past week or two. It seems like I have this thing where I genuinely like helping other people. I think it’s part of a way for me to exert control over my environment and ensure that there’s a fair bit of harmony all around me. If I can help people realize that somewhat lofty goals like running twenty-one kilometres can be achieved with hard work, perseverance, and a general can-do attitude then I know that I’m doing well. That kind of attitude has a way of spreading into other parts of one’s life. So yes, it’s going to be a summer of awesomeness. I hope that I will maintain that level of positivity for my clinic members.
Left out of the fuss
All over Facebook and Twitter I’m seeing a lot of words of encouragement and excitement over tomorrow’s running events. Both the Goodlife Toronto Marathon and the Mississauga Marathon are happening taking place in the morning. I did the Toronto marathon last year, and I’ve done the half at Mississauga two years in a row.
I must say, I feel left out of all of the fuss. I really wish I was a part of it all. I know. I made the choice to take a running break. I don’t regret it. I needed time away. Still, there’s something about the act of preparation and the camaraderie that goes on in the running groups that’s just so very rewarding.
I know that I’ll be back at it soon enough. That’s a given. For now, the best I can do is cheer on all of the people I know that are participating in tomorrow’s events. May the wind be at all of their backs.
Listening to the signals
So this was my last update to my Facebook wall from earlier today.
There’s a subtle difference between the body yelling “Stop, I’m a bit tired,” and “Stop, you’re going to do some damage to yourself.” The key is paying attention to the latter.
It’s a very good point if you ask me. There are times when the body is just fatigued but is capable of pushing onward. There are other times when the body really needs rest and pushing it would just be ill-advised. This morning I experienced something of the latter. On Saturday evening I prepped my stuff to head into the Running Room on Sunday morning. When the morning came, I just couldn’t drag myself out of bed. There was no pep. I just felt extremely heavy. By about 9 a.m., I figured that since I didn’t make it up north to RR I should at least run around my place. I put on my running gear, mapped out a 17K route and set out. From about 4K onward, I figured something was up. I was running, but it was feeling more difficult than it should have. Time seemed to drag on. I could feel my body going through the movements, but it just didn’t feel right. At the 8K mark, I decided to cut the route and head home. I felt almost disembodied. My mind felt like it was elsewhere because the body wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do. In the end, I still got 11K in, but it wasn’t what I had planned. Sure enough, about an hour after I came back I finally realized that I was running a bit of a fever. Oops. My body was under the weather. Good thing then that I stopped. See. That’s the importance to listening to the signals that the body is sending out, right? No big loss. In time I’ll be back out there and feeling better than ever.
Starts with one step
The idea is simple: I need to get back into running. Preferably sooner rather than later.
I’ve been on a break since the race at the beginning of March. It’s been great, but I feel like something is missing from my life. Running has always been a way for me to de-stress. With post-run endorphins going I tend to feel like my problems are smaller. Without that outlet I almost feel like my moods have been lower on average. It’s not good.
I’m slated to take up coaching again in June. Yay! I can’t wait until that point though to start up again. I need to ramp up again and feel comfortable getting out there. If I don’t feel comfortable myself, how can I inspire others? So yes, I plan on reappearing in store on Sunday. I’ll make it work! It all starts with one step.
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