Monday, May 19, 2014

"Unstoppable!!"

I'm sure I'll still have moments of doubt between now and August 17th, but for today at least, the Thomas in me is but a shadow.

There's a marketing phrase you may have heard called, "surprise and delight", and that's the way I felt this morning.

Last night I had little confidence in having a decent long run, as my legs still felt real dead, to the point that I told Roo that I would probably procrastinate until late afternoon just to give me a bit longer recovery.  This morning I didn't feel any better, but I also didn't relish the idea of finishing my workout at supper time.

With that in mind, and with a firm reminder to myself to keep it positive regardless, I headed out at 8 am.  I committed to at least 18 kms by heading towards Port, and by the time I returned to the mailbox I was pretty confident that I was gonna be able to do the last 12 as well.

It was slow but totally in control, and when I was at about 27.5 kms I was averaging 5:32/km.  I made a decision to try to get that down to 5:30 by pushing a bit harder, and in the end managed to get it down to 5:28!!

So it's not the fact that I ran 30 kms today that surprised and delighted me, it's the way I felt in doing so.  I have done lots of long runs where I somehow forced myself to stay on feet for the last 5 kms, but in contrast, the last stretch today could be called exhilarating.  My last 3 kms were at 5:16, 4:48, and 4:36 respectively.  I could have ran further!  I even think I could have run a marathon today, if there was any good reason to do so.

And now, some 3 hours later, as I sit here and type, I feel totally fine...normal if you will.

Or better yet...surprised and delighted!!!

As promised, that makes my recovery week decision for me, so while I will avoid any sort of a long run next weekend, I will look forward to my next long bike.  Hopefully outside in the sunshine!

run 30 kms, 2:44:14

"Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise."---Alice Walker

"You will find truth more quickly through delight than gravity. Let out a little more string on your kite."---Alan Cohen

...and this one because it reached inside me and touched something....

"There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination."---Mencius

Love
Peter

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