(Another) Paradigm shift

Last Saturday morning I ran the 20 miles I was supposed to run according to my training plan.

The first 16 miles were great.

And then my body just seized up.

Today I’m supposed to run 16 miles.

I have a lot of crap to do today.

A lot.

And it’s physical.

So I could stop at the 16 mile mark this morning.

But it’s really bothering me that the 20 miler last week got the best of me.

So…I think I’m going to do it again.

20 miles.

I’ve been trying to teach the kids that while the hard work is not fun, and while it may take a long time, and while a lot of it may completely suck, it’s the payoff that’s worth it.

And I don’t want to be nearing the 20 mile mark on November 3 and doubting myself.

I want to know I did the best that I could do.

I really don’t want to run 20 miles this morning.

But I do want to have that feeling of accomplishment.

So I’m going for it.

Yesterday was a NFF.

Today will be a practice-what-you-preach Saturday.

A PWYPS.

I’m going to change my strategy a little bit too.

Last week it took me 3 hours and 33 minutes to do 20 miles.

An experienced runner suggested I consider following a different philosophy.

Every mile or so, walk for one minute.

My first reaction was, “What? Walk? Are you kidding? That’s for pussies.”

I read the link she sent me.

It came from the Jeff Galloway training program.

I had no idea who this was, but I read a little bit about him, and he went to the Olympics in the 70’s. He broke an American record back then. So he didn’t totally suck. He must know something.

I spent the week thinking about it.

I didn’t originally envision myself walking any part of this marathon.

But maybe I should give this a try.

I didn’t envision a lot of the successes I’ve had in life happening the way they actually happened.

So,

I’m off for 20 miles.

Again.

With a change in strategy.

Because I want to do my best.

Last week was not my best.

I am sure of it.

Maybe the way I can do my best right now includes a little walking.

Maybe I still can break 4 hours in that marathon with a little walking as part of the plan.

I don’t need to do this the way I first envisioned.

Maybe walking isn’t for pussies.

Maybe it’s the  fear of a change in perspective that is.

Maybe last week I was a fish trying to climb up a tree.

Not this week.

This week I’m going to stay in the water.

See you in 3 hours 🙂

 

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