How Running in a Marathon is a Lot Like Life
Monday, November 9th, 2009
I did it!! I just completed my first running race ever on Saturday. It was the Vulcan Run 10k race, which is the equivalent of 6.2 miles. I am so proud of myself!! I really didn’t have any doubts that I would be able to do it, but I worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the other runners or that my running pace wouldn’t last as long as I needed it to. But surprise, I found that not only did my running pace last, but I was actually able to complete the race at a respectable finishing time, despite the fact that I’ve only been training for a few months and this was my first race. Did I already say that? Well, for it to have been my first race, I completed the 6.2 deal in 1:16! Happy? Sure, but satisfied? Absolutely not. I think because I’m a perfectionist and because I push myself harder sometimes than I should, I looked at my results on race day and decided that I needed to tweak some areas and change some things around if I am going to compete in the 13.1 mile half-marathon that I’m training to do in February 2010. Yes, I have A LOT of work to do!
There are a lot of things that I have learned while I have been preparing for this race, and a few of them came to the forefront for me on Saturday. Of course, a lot of these lessons I am able to transfer to other areas of my life. However, I have also been able to see where tweaking some things around will not only help improve my performance, but will also give me that extra added mental energy boost that I need to succeed in running, writing, speaking and even in parenting! Who would have guessed that little 6.2 mile race could do so much for you. And, it was my first race too!
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey movie full Here are some things that I learned Saturday as a result of preparing for a goal that I’ve set for myself:
1. Be diligent at all times, not just when you think it matters.
The night before the run, I was loading up on Gatorade and water, just so I wouldn’t dehydrate or get near it. Probably not a good time to worry about dehydrating is it? Yes, I drink plenty of water daily, but just not NEARLY as much as I should or could in order to give my muscles the fuel that they need to endure a race of any proportion. About a 1/2 mile into the race, I could feel my lips and mouth getting parched and a little dry. The heavy drinking the night before (just water and Gatorade!) did not do the magic that I ignorantly thought it would. To prepare adequately for anything, you must plan, prepare, outline and strategize how you want to accomplish a goal and then work towards it. Don’t wait until the last minute and expect stellar results.
2. You are what you eat. We’ve heard that millions of times right? But it is so very true, and when your body is conditioning or training for something, it is incredibly important. Again, I eat pretty healthy, but not nearly as good as I should or can. In preparing for a long distance race (or anything where the body will be energy-taxed), it is important to watch everything that you put into your body. EVERYTHING. From that harmless piece of Halloween candy to that last meal of the evening, each bite is important. Cheat days are ok, as are occasional slip-ups. Those things are bound to happen. But what I’m talking about is a lifestyle change in your eating habits that will dictate your endurance level and your stamina. Sometimes we may not realize that the decisions we make are instantly-felt, but they are. Everything that we put into our bodies is just like the decisions we make and the actions we take. They all have an effect on our lives and we have to just think it through before we take that bite or make that move.
3. Don’t give up. That goes without saying, you would think, but sometimes it bears worth repeating. Although I did a good job, I still felt like I had under-accomplished what I had set out to do as far as my running goal(s) were concerned. Of course when this happens in our lives, we may feel like we want to give up sometimes. But you cannot give up or even THINK about giving up. The potential for reaching goals can stretch your confidence level far beyond what the imagination can fathom. I, for one, NEVER thought that I’d become a runner, or participate in a race, or prep for a marathon. Never in my wildest dreams, but here I am, training, preparing, eating and drinking my way towards fulfilling a goal that I have set for myself. And, if I just stay focused, I will most definitely reach it.
By the way, did I mention that this was my FIRST race??
