I was thinking of thousands of reasons to not follow through with racing yesterday. Even up to the point my foot was on the starting line. The anxiety, the pain, the expectations, etc. are overwhelming at times. Until the race is over. Then I want to do it again!
I know I wouldn’t put the time and effort into the fitness routine if I weren’t competing. As crazy as it sounds, my entire motivation for maintaining a fitness schedule is for the stupid medals.
Plus I love being around competitors my age, and even more the 70/80/90 year old competitors. I guess that’s what keeps me coming back.
I was talking to the wife of an 80 year old competitor who was the star of the meet. (I could only wish I had the steely resolve of this guy. ) He works out 4 hours a day during season. She encouraged me to keep at it and someday when I’m 80 I could be as good as her husband!
Ohiopublic- that is reassuring to me to hear that you have pre-race trauma, too. I come SO close to not starting my races. In fact, now when people ask me what my goal is, I answer “First- to start. Second- to finish.” Back in the day I would have spouted off a time, complete with seconds! Last October in Toronto (after a lot of life trauma) I actually retreated into a Starbucks near the extremely crowded (25000 people) starting line and debated whether I was going to get in the corral. I always feel like everyone else is eager and excited with no doubts at all.
MOWC - I even resorted to seeing a sports psychologist about it. Gave me breathing techniques by not much help. Kind of reminded me of the sports psychologist from the Robert Redford movie “The Natural”.
I hear you about your Starbucks episode. I almost decided to drive home the morning of the meet after driving down to Columbus to spend a night in a motel.
My main problem (I think) is thinking to much about the pain. Or the effort to get the mind right prior to the race. I want to get back to that place where I don’t dread the race. Maybe I need a break. Unfortunately I need that post race adrenaline fix!
Unfortunately, breaks don’t seem to help. I think it is because we push SO hard and know the pain will be there. Although I even had this problem when I was running with my daughter in her first marathon which was well within my capabilities.
My worst one was actually Seven Bridges in Chattanooga in 2012. H and I drove down there, had a fairly expensive hotel, and I really wasn’t sure I could get myself to the starting line. Somehow I managed, but I decided at about 8 miles that I would take the cutoff for the half, except I had no way to let him know I was doing that. I finished (it wasn’t pretty) but won my age group.
@ohiopublic I had the same dread when I ran cross country. I hated running. Stopped after senior year of high school and thought I would never run again.
Fast forward to after college. We had a company race at the place where I work, and I decided to do it, just to see what my body can do (I had recently gotten healthy and, as a result, lost a lot of weight). I started running with no pressure on myself. No speed or distance goals - just going fast enough to where I feel comfortable, knowing I could always stop. They gave me back control, and I actually started running again. I don’t dread it any more! Because I know I am in control by taking the pressure off. Sometimes I will push myself, but it’s only when I am comfortable with it - on my terms. And yes, just doing it is good enough - I allow myself to be proud of that!
I don’t know if that made any sense - just wanted to share.
acollegestudent–Bravo to you for using common sense. Some people are extremely competitive but if you want to see running merely as “fun” like any other outdoor activity, good for you.
There’s no need to train like an Olympian to enjoy the benefits of running, and it’s probably better for you mentally if you don’t (train like an Olympian.)
We are all wired differently and all have mental games we juggle for work/play. Just like anything, “competitive” brings about the good, the bad and the ugly. And the Starbucks syndrome! Chances are in life, we are all “competitive” about some aspect of our life. And for some, that aspect happens in more than one place - in the office, on the pavement, etc.
The heat and humidity in North Carolina would do me in. I notice it a lot when we get a hot muggy stretch. I have learned to really scale back my hiking ambition on days like that.
When you are or were really good at something it’s very difficult to stop being internally competitive. It seems to be ingrained in me to do as well as a I can do in a race, and it turns out that is usually painful. As Ohio said- it’s worth it when it’s over, but it sure is scary ahead of time.
You can certainly get a lot of benefit from running or any other sport without pushing yourself that hard, but there are actually other rewards from doing so. It’s just a question of whether or not it’s worth it. I get a lot of psychological benefit from knowing I’m tough and that I didn’t quit or back off. Sometimes I need that in my life.
We were so happy to visit D1 this weekend, but I felt like the majority of the time we were there, we were in a state of hog sweat. Sweat running down your back, dripping off your face, etc. D1 is very frugal and not quick to turn on her AC. Went to brunch this morning and the hostess said “would you like to eat inside or on the patio?” D1 said, “oh, outside for sure!” I think I lost of couple of pounds during that meal…
Back home in Texas now and running our AC without apology…
It has been unseasonably hot and humid these past few weeks - I was getting a bit discouraged that my pace seems to be slowing (especially Saturday on those hills) but then reminded myself it was really hot. I don’t need to push myself every run. I keep reminding myself time on my feet, time on my feet.
I will never, ever be at MOWC or Ohio’s level, but the more I run the more competitive I find myself becoming. I want to do well.
Went to Pilates mat yesterday, nice group of women, tough workout. Will probably hit the gym later today - it’s over 70 degrees and miserable humidity already.
One week on a food log and I can tell that I am making better food choices, cutting portions a bit and eating only when hungry. I have decided to make one change per week. This week I am trying to get back on the treadmill a few mornings a week (at least 2). Did this AM. I know this is a small thing, but I am working on developing good habits in ways that will work for me.
I really enjoy reading all of your posts and find a lot of inspiration. When I get some down time, I plan to go back and read the entire thread.
The one change at a time approach is a great one, FallGirl. I think far too many people try to do everything at once (Mr. Sabaray being a notable example) and it doesn’t stick. Keep up the good work!
^^^ Agreed! And when you think of a few times ON the treadmill (say 3 times a week) that means you have 4 days off - so not so bad, right?!
Reading through this whole thread - I think we need a SparkNote edition!!!
Starting this week off right with a delicious and filling breakfast - a scrambled egg with jalapeno, onion, peppers and queso fresco and a Stonyfield Farms whole milk plain yogurt with a little squirt of honey, blueberries and a sprinkling of my homemade granola!
sabaray- I think the heat/humidity is especially telling on hills. HR just seems to spike.
You are doing great with your running. The key is to just be the best YOU that you can be! That changes with age, as I have learned.
There is a story about famous marathoner Bill Rodgers, who I met on several occasions back in the day. He was the top US marathoner and quite a character. He was at a party and he asked another runner about her marathon times and she was very apologetic and said, “Well, I’m very slow. I run about 4 hours.” Bill replied, sincerely, “Wow! That’s awesome that you can run for 4 hours!” His marathons didn’t take a whole lot over 2 hours! It’s all relative…
3 hot miles this morning, but my heart rate didn’t go nuts and I felt normally bad (for the heat, etc) and not like something is wrong with me.
