Well, another year has come and gone. 2010 has been an amazing year, probably the best thus far. I have learned a lot this year and I want to continue to grow in 2011. I have made many positive changes over the course of the past year. I was able to eat a healthier diet, become more focused, qualify for the Boston Marathon, lose the women, "find myself", and become very happy. In 2011 I have a lot of goals. I believe I have so much to offer as a human being and that I'm holding so much back, so I have created a list of goals/resolutions that I would like to focus on and/or accomplish in 2011. They are as follows:
*Stop swearing (every time I swear, a quarter goes in a jar and I donate it to a charity, this is no joke!)
*Fully indulge in faith (I want to start going to church every Sunday, except rare occasions when I can't, and set aside at least 15 minutes everyday for God) I also want to get involved in church groups and become a living example of a follower of Christ. I believe we are here to live as God would want us to and not as we want and I want to be a better Christian:)
*Run Faster (Of course:) 3:00 or less Marathon is my goal)
*Make sacrifices and be a better friend (I need to be more compassionate and caring towards others and try harder to keep and maintain friendships)
*Get a better job and work hard towards a 4.0 in my Master's
I am so excited for the New Year and the possibilities that lie ahead. Everyone should make goals for the upcoming year, it's the best time to start out fresh. It's hard to stick to things, but if you really want something and you're passionate about it, you can do it! I just want to thank everyone that has been supportive of me in 2010 and I pray for a prosperous Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Boston Marathon Training-Week 2
Week 2
Monday
30 minutes on spinning bike
60 minute Bicep, Tricep, and Leg workout
Tuesday
8.06 miles w/10 x 100 meter strides
6:53 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 154
60 minute Chest, Back, and Shoulder workout (pulled something in my back pretty bad, hurt for several days....took several days off from lifting)
15 minute Ab workout
Wednesday
12.17 miles (medium long run on the snow covered Kal-Haven trail; trudging through all that snow slowed my pace, but that's to be expected)
7:54 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 147
Thursday
5.06 miles (recovery)
7:28 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 145
60 minute Leg and Ab workout
Friday
9.02 miles (ran in shorts, I always say if it's 30 or above, no pants haha)
7:00 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 148
15 minute Ab workout
Saturday
(Christmas-one of my only chances to run down Westnedge, so I surely capitalized on that opportunity)
5.18 miles
7:25 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 140
Sunday
17.16 miles (after the previous day of stuffing myself, I thought this run was going to be horrible, I was wrong)
very hilly course (one hill was a steady incline for well over a mile)
7:25 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 146
15 minute Ab workout
56.65 miles total for the week
This week I toned it down a bit on the time in the gym. I am probably going to drop down to 3 days a week normally in the gym and do more full body workouts. As the mileage increases, it becomes more and more difficult to get to the gym and bring enough intensity. Also, I gave cycling a break as well, as I spent a lot of time with the family over the holidays. With the holidays in full swing, my eating hasn't been like it usually is, but I am getting back on track now that Christmas is over.
Monday
30 minutes on spinning bike
60 minute Bicep, Tricep, and Leg workout
Tuesday
8.06 miles w/10 x 100 meter strides
6:53 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 154
60 minute Chest, Back, and Shoulder workout (pulled something in my back pretty bad, hurt for several days....took several days off from lifting)
15 minute Ab workout
Wednesday
12.17 miles (medium long run on the snow covered Kal-Haven trail; trudging through all that snow slowed my pace, but that's to be expected)
7:54 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 147
Thursday
5.06 miles (recovery)
7:28 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 145
60 minute Leg and Ab workout
Friday
9.02 miles (ran in shorts, I always say if it's 30 or above, no pants haha)
7:00 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 148
15 minute Ab workout
Saturday
(Christmas-one of my only chances to run down Westnedge, so I surely capitalized on that opportunity)
5.18 miles
7:25 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 140
Sunday
17.16 miles (after the previous day of stuffing myself, I thought this run was going to be horrible, I was wrong)
very hilly course (one hill was a steady incline for well over a mile)
7:25 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 146
15 minute Ab workout
56.65 miles total for the week
This week I toned it down a bit on the time in the gym. I am probably going to drop down to 3 days a week normally in the gym and do more full body workouts. As the mileage increases, it becomes more and more difficult to get to the gym and bring enough intensity. Also, I gave cycling a break as well, as I spent a lot of time with the family over the holidays. With the holidays in full swing, my eating hasn't been like it usually is, but I am getting back on track now that Christmas is over.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Marathon Training Time: Blending vs. Balancing life's constant demands
With my first full week of marathon training behind me, I can reflect on the week and the changes I need to make going forward. Reflecting on marathons past, the 18 weeks leading up to them have been quite time consuming. It has at times been difficult for me to balance the many different activities and commitments thrown my way. During previous training season's I have balanced work, school, relationships, but I have always neglected one or more of them. I now have become so focused on achieving my running goals, that I have made it one of my primary focuses, however, school and work are also just as important and I have worked hard to keep good grades (going for a 4.0 on my M.B.A.) and giving a formidable effort at my place of employment.
These days, the world moves at a remarkable speed, it is nearly impossible to get all of the things an individual could want to accomplish in each day. I am working through some things personally to allow myself the time I need to complete the things I want to complete each day. One important aspect to consider is sacrifice. This is one thing that I would like to work on as a New Year's resolution this coming year. My thing is that when I get a goal in mind, I put everything I can into that goal. When I qualified for Boston, I promised myself I would give anything and everything I had both in preparation mentally and physically. I don't want to go to Boston just to run it and "enjoy the race" like some of the qualifiers apparently do. I think that is ludicrous; if you are fast enough to qualify for Boston, you come a day or two early and enjoy the scenery, not on race day. But, that's just my angle.
In order to put all I can into training, I have sacrificed my personal life and love life quite dramatically. Some of these things have been a good change for me. Up until this year, I was in and out of relationships constantly. So, I can thank running to some extent for getting my mind straight and putting less of a focus on girls. It allowed me to learn a lot about myself, find my own inner strength, and realize that there is a lot more to life that women. This is not to say that I don't want to one day find someone, because I do; but it has allowed me to put things in perspective.
In order to allow an outsider to comprehend how I could possibly put so much effort into an event that occurs 18 weeks from the onset of my training, they must first understand what training does for my life. By making a goal for myself, I am able to stay focused and motivated. Both of these things translate to success in my everyday life in the many endeavors by which I'm involved. In school, I am able to keep a clearer mind and am more eager to learn. At work I am more patient and positive. Anything and everything I do stems from my focus and clear mind that I get from running. When I run I analyze my life and process things better than at any other time. With all of this being said, no matter how much of a positive spin it has on my life, it can at times cause some stress. That is impart because Marathon training requires such a huge time commitment, especially if you have a lofty goal and intend on accomplishing it.
Over the course of the 18 weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, I will run roughly 1,100 miles (or 61.25 miles/week), bike anywhere from 1-2 hours per week, 3-5 ab workouts per week, 3-4 strengths training workouts per week, as well as countless stretching and foam rolling sessions. It's no secret that I am obsessed, but I absolutely love it. And, although I love it, I also have many other commitments that require my time and attention. Besides all of the running and other exercise, I have a full time job, MBA classes, family, friends, maintaining a clean home, taking care of my dog (making sure he gets a walk or play time in each day), religious commitments, etc. It is pretty much impossible to do everything I want to each day, I almost always run out of time. Looking back on my lazier days, I sometimes miss free time, but most of the time I do not. Even though I am busy as hell, I like it. I like the constant grind and feelings of accomplishment, but I do recognize that it is important to sometimes slow down a bit and make sure that I enjoy life (not that I don't). It is however important to give myself a break now and again.
I am just finishing up my first two MBA classes and each week we are required to listen to these online lectures. Most of these videos include commentary from a "relationship genius" (in my opinion), named Keith Ferrazzi. There are several reasons I love this guy. Number one, he wasn't given anything and everything to get where he is now, he worked his ass off through hard work. His parents often struggled to make ends meet and they managed to develop a son that graduated from Yale as an undergraduate and went on to graduate from Harvard Business School. That's something I absolutely love, a hardworking individual that struggled through adversity and earned everything he has now.
Mr. Ferrazzi introduced the concept of blending as opposed to balancing life's many activities and commitments. We have all kind of been taught the importance of balancing so that you can accomplish everything that you want and give proper attention to different things. However, Ferrazzi prefers the concept of blending. With so many different commitments, it's often hard to balance them all. It's hard to make time for friends, work, exercise, cooking dinner, walking the dog, cleaning, and the millions of other tasks by which we delegate our time. Therefore, the importance of blending makes perfect sense. Why not make friends through the activities we have....like exercise with our friends, or meeting and creating new friends at work, listening to your lectures as you grab a bite to eat, making a quick phone call on your lunch break, etc. By combining the many things we do each day, we are able to fulfill our daily quota of commitments.
Essentially, what this means, is that by incorporating all of the different aspects of your life through many of the same facets, you allow yourself more time each day and the ability to accomplish everything you want to each day. I have made a strong effort to incorporate blending into my life. I have introduced running to friends and thus we have been able to discuss running, race together and have inadvertently built better friendships through our common interest. I have also introduced blending into my work life by striving to make more friends at work. This allows me to enjoy my job more and create meaningful relationships at the same time. Also, sometimes I will cook dinner while I play with my dog or clean the house, or run without music to establish a strong religious connection through speaking with God. There are a lot of shows I enjoy watching and I sometimes will ride my spinning bike at the same time, killing two birds with one stone. There are so many different ways to incorporate blending into your life and it works a heck of a lot better than balancing in my opinion. It is an extremely beneficial concept to me during this nonstop time in my life. Blending is what keeps me balanced, keeps me level headed, keeps me sane, it offers me peace and serenity. I invite you to give it a try in your life, you'll be surprised on the positive impact it has....
Blend in,
Jon
"If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable".-Donald Trump
These days, the world moves at a remarkable speed, it is nearly impossible to get all of the things an individual could want to accomplish in each day. I am working through some things personally to allow myself the time I need to complete the things I want to complete each day. One important aspect to consider is sacrifice. This is one thing that I would like to work on as a New Year's resolution this coming year. My thing is that when I get a goal in mind, I put everything I can into that goal. When I qualified for Boston, I promised myself I would give anything and everything I had both in preparation mentally and physically. I don't want to go to Boston just to run it and "enjoy the race" like some of the qualifiers apparently do. I think that is ludicrous; if you are fast enough to qualify for Boston, you come a day or two early and enjoy the scenery, not on race day. But, that's just my angle.
In order to put all I can into training, I have sacrificed my personal life and love life quite dramatically. Some of these things have been a good change for me. Up until this year, I was in and out of relationships constantly. So, I can thank running to some extent for getting my mind straight and putting less of a focus on girls. It allowed me to learn a lot about myself, find my own inner strength, and realize that there is a lot more to life that women. This is not to say that I don't want to one day find someone, because I do; but it has allowed me to put things in perspective.
In order to allow an outsider to comprehend how I could possibly put so much effort into an event that occurs 18 weeks from the onset of my training, they must first understand what training does for my life. By making a goal for myself, I am able to stay focused and motivated. Both of these things translate to success in my everyday life in the many endeavors by which I'm involved. In school, I am able to keep a clearer mind and am more eager to learn. At work I am more patient and positive. Anything and everything I do stems from my focus and clear mind that I get from running. When I run I analyze my life and process things better than at any other time. With all of this being said, no matter how much of a positive spin it has on my life, it can at times cause some stress. That is impart because Marathon training requires such a huge time commitment, especially if you have a lofty goal and intend on accomplishing it.
Over the course of the 18 weeks leading up to the Boston Marathon, I will run roughly 1,100 miles (or 61.25 miles/week), bike anywhere from 1-2 hours per week, 3-5 ab workouts per week, 3-4 strengths training workouts per week, as well as countless stretching and foam rolling sessions. It's no secret that I am obsessed, but I absolutely love it. And, although I love it, I also have many other commitments that require my time and attention. Besides all of the running and other exercise, I have a full time job, MBA classes, family, friends, maintaining a clean home, taking care of my dog (making sure he gets a walk or play time in each day), religious commitments, etc. It is pretty much impossible to do everything I want to each day, I almost always run out of time. Looking back on my lazier days, I sometimes miss free time, but most of the time I do not. Even though I am busy as hell, I like it. I like the constant grind and feelings of accomplishment, but I do recognize that it is important to sometimes slow down a bit and make sure that I enjoy life (not that I don't). It is however important to give myself a break now and again.
I am just finishing up my first two MBA classes and each week we are required to listen to these online lectures. Most of these videos include commentary from a "relationship genius" (in my opinion), named Keith Ferrazzi. There are several reasons I love this guy. Number one, he wasn't given anything and everything to get where he is now, he worked his ass off through hard work. His parents often struggled to make ends meet and they managed to develop a son that graduated from Yale as an undergraduate and went on to graduate from Harvard Business School. That's something I absolutely love, a hardworking individual that struggled through adversity and earned everything he has now.
Mr. Ferrazzi introduced the concept of blending as opposed to balancing life's many activities and commitments. We have all kind of been taught the importance of balancing so that you can accomplish everything that you want and give proper attention to different things. However, Ferrazzi prefers the concept of blending. With so many different commitments, it's often hard to balance them all. It's hard to make time for friends, work, exercise, cooking dinner, walking the dog, cleaning, and the millions of other tasks by which we delegate our time. Therefore, the importance of blending makes perfect sense. Why not make friends through the activities we have....like exercise with our friends, or meeting and creating new friends at work, listening to your lectures as you grab a bite to eat, making a quick phone call on your lunch break, etc. By combining the many things we do each day, we are able to fulfill our daily quota of commitments.
Essentially, what this means, is that by incorporating all of the different aspects of your life through many of the same facets, you allow yourself more time each day and the ability to accomplish everything you want to each day. I have made a strong effort to incorporate blending into my life. I have introduced running to friends and thus we have been able to discuss running, race together and have inadvertently built better friendships through our common interest. I have also introduced blending into my work life by striving to make more friends at work. This allows me to enjoy my job more and create meaningful relationships at the same time. Also, sometimes I will cook dinner while I play with my dog or clean the house, or run without music to establish a strong religious connection through speaking with God. There are a lot of shows I enjoy watching and I sometimes will ride my spinning bike at the same time, killing two birds with one stone. There are so many different ways to incorporate blending into your life and it works a heck of a lot better than balancing in my opinion. It is an extremely beneficial concept to me during this nonstop time in my life. Blending is what keeps me balanced, keeps me level headed, keeps me sane, it offers me peace and serenity. I invite you to give it a try in your life, you'll be surprised on the positive impact it has....
Blend in,
Jon
"If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable".-Donald Trump
Boston Marathon Training-Week 1
Week 1
Monday
30 minutes on my spinning bike (recovery-hr avg. 137)
60 minute bicep, tricep and shoulder workout
15 minute ab workout
Tuesday
8.05 miles (nothing too intense, just a decent run with 10x100 meter strides throughout the run)
6:56 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 156, 22 degrees
60 minute chest and back workout
Wednesday
11.07 miles (just trying to get a decent medium long run in, nothing crazy on the pace-trying to build endurance in the beginning stages)
7:20 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 145, 24 degrees
15 minute ab workout and leg strengthening exercises
30 minutes on my spinning bike (recovery, draining of the lactic acid buildup-hr 134 avg.)
Thursday
5.05 miles (recovery run, recovering from two the past two days of runs with a decent amount of miles; slow run, very easy)
7:39 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 138, 26 degreees
60 minute bicep, tricep and shoulder workout (I really brought the intensity today!)
15 minutes ab workout
Friday
9.05 miles (just an avg. run with a decent amount of miles-wasn't a jog, but it wasn't too intense either)
7:15 avg. page, heart rate avg. 144, 26 degrees
Saturday
5.05 miles (recovery run, taking it easy in preparation for tomorrow's long run)
7:34 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 136, 17 degrees
Sunday
25 minute ab workout
15.05 miles (long run, I am trying to do all of my long run's @ a 7:30-7:35 pace)
7:31 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 144, 20 degrees
This was a brutal run, because I decided to eat half a platter of cookies and candies on the way home from my grandparents and as a result I had major heart burn and a continued need to vomit. Not to mention, it was extremely dark and icey and I had to pee worse than I ever had before on a run. You live and you learn, next week's will be better!
I also make sure to include stretching sessions each day and try my best to get 3 or 4 foam roller sessions in per week.
Monday
30 minutes on my spinning bike (recovery-hr avg. 137)
60 minute bicep, tricep and shoulder workout
15 minute ab workout
Tuesday
8.05 miles (nothing too intense, just a decent run with 10x100 meter strides throughout the run)
6:56 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 156, 22 degrees
60 minute chest and back workout
Wednesday
11.07 miles (just trying to get a decent medium long run in, nothing crazy on the pace-trying to build endurance in the beginning stages)
7:20 avg. mile pace, heart rate avg. 145, 24 degrees
15 minute ab workout and leg strengthening exercises
30 minutes on my spinning bike (recovery, draining of the lactic acid buildup-hr 134 avg.)
Thursday
5.05 miles (recovery run, recovering from two the past two days of runs with a decent amount of miles; slow run, very easy)
7:39 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 138, 26 degreees
60 minute bicep, tricep and shoulder workout (I really brought the intensity today!)
15 minutes ab workout
Friday
9.05 miles (just an avg. run with a decent amount of miles-wasn't a jog, but it wasn't too intense either)
7:15 avg. page, heart rate avg. 144, 26 degrees
Saturday
5.05 miles (recovery run, taking it easy in preparation for tomorrow's long run)
7:34 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 136, 17 degrees
Sunday
25 minute ab workout
15.05 miles (long run, I am trying to do all of my long run's @ a 7:30-7:35 pace)
7:31 avg. pace, heart rate avg. 144, 20 degrees
This was a brutal run, because I decided to eat half a platter of cookies and candies on the way home from my grandparents and as a result I had major heart burn and a continued need to vomit. Not to mention, it was extremely dark and icey and I had to pee worse than I ever had before on a run. You live and you learn, next week's will be better!
I also make sure to include stretching sessions each day and try my best to get 3 or 4 foam roller sessions in per week.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Lifestyle Choices: You have the Power to make a Change
Whether you've run 500 marathons or you're training for you're first half marathon, it is extremely important to eat a healthy well balanced diet. Eating healthy kind of goes against the lifestyle that the majority of Americans choose to follow. Every single day as I venture out into the world, I see obese and morbidly obese individuals. I don't think there are many things in this world that irritate me more, than the sight of individuals that completely and utterly disrespect their own bodies in such a careless manner. Temptation seems to have a huge influence on an individuals desire to yearn for such things. Don't get me wrong, I have cravings all the time, just like anybody else. However, you have to make a choice! If I could, I'd eat skittles, bowls of ice cream drenched in countless delectable toppings, pizza with ranch, and don't forget my favorite-NACHOS! However, you just can't live that way.
It's kind of funny how the foods we desire most, make us feel the worst and the foods that don't sound the least bit appealing tend to give you the most energy and make us feel good about ourselves. Life's all about choices. It doesn't just pertain to food. Everyday you are presented with countless options and you have to make a choice. It could range from staying faithful in a marriage, to which house you want to buy, whether or not you're going to clean the garage, or stopping to aid a stranded motorist on the highway. Food is the same way, however, its' effects can have the most direct effect on your daily life and the ability to allow you to continue to make all of those other choices that you struggle with from day to day.
The most detrimental effect unhealthy eating can have is its inhibition on an individuals daily activities and overall life expectancy, not to mention the countless medical problems that must be dealt with on a daily basis. Another thing that gets me absolutely livid and downright annoyed on a day to day basis is hearing people moan, bitch and complain about how they don't feel good and how they have this or that sickness. Well, guess what people, if you weren't eating Taco Bell at 2 in the morning, stuffing down 3 Chalupas, a 44oz. Pepsi, and then immersing yourself on the couch like a bedridden hospital patient for countless hours, as opposed to eating a well balanced diet and exercising, you might not have these problems! Absolutely irritating. People are too caught up in being comfortable these days. They say and do things they don't mean to their love ones, for fear of losing them. They rarely alter their daily habits, because of fair of change. They eat things because they're depressed, thinking it will cheer them up, when in fact the reason they got depressed in the first place was probably that poor diet of theirs.
It just disappoints me to see how people live these days. Nobody cares about themselves anymore. Restaurants and marketing techniques, through commercials, billboards, and magazines aren't doing much to help either. Thank God for Subway. At least there is one company that acts like they care about the future of America.
As I sit here and go off from tangent to tangent about how I resent peoples lifestyle, I have been in the same boat as many overweight and unhealthy individuals. I at one time weighed 205 pounds at just under 5 foot 9. I am now a slender, toned, and athletic 162. Looking back, I am absolutely ashamed in myself for allowing myself to get that way. I didn't just become a fit individual overnight either. It took years of hard work, education, and lifestyle changes to evolve into the person I am today. So, I don't mean to demoralize anyone, because I do believe that anyone has the power to change a behavior. However, it has to come from within. If you want to change, YOU have to make it happen. Some people think that a Personal trainer is going to make them lose weight, or going on a walk is going to get it done. You have got to find the motivation, some way, some how. Get off of that coach and get out that door. Sorry, but to be honest, a 15 minute walk each day isn't going to do it either. Bring some intensity, bring some heart, bring some will power. If you want something, you've got to earn it. Do it not only for your loved ones that would love to spend countless years with you, but do it for yourself. I can promise you that you'll feel 800x better once you start exercising. And, heck, if you're like me you may become an addict. A quote by Edward Stanley sums it up best, "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness".
Make the change,
Jon
Sunday, December 5, 2010
That's what it's all about
A lot of people ask me why I run? What's the point they think? Why waste your time doing it? To those same people I pose a completely opposite question. Why don't you run? To me, there is nothing better than going out for a run. Many people find this hard to understand. I have been presented with those questions many times before. Unless you're a runner yourself, you'll probably never understand. I could probably compile a list of a thousand reasons as to why I run. If I had to give an answer as to the biggest reason why, besides the amazing impact it has had on my life, the energy I have each day, and a newly discovered, more focussed mindset I've obtained; it all comes down to one thing. That "thing" culminates in less than 900 seconds. That "thing" is what it's all about. That moment also comes only after 18 weeks of exploiting my weaknesses, mental anguish, physical punishment and self discipline. That moment only comes maybe once or twice a year. What I'm talking about is that window of time between roughly the 25 mile mark of a Marathon and a few minutes after the race. That's the moment I live for. You might ask yourself, "what in the hell could make you want to go through the rigors of the icy, snowy, blizzard like conditions that Michigan has to offer or 10 x 800 meter repeats on the track as your heart pleads with you to cease your tormenting behavior". How can all of this be worth it?
Well, it's hard to explain, but it is overwhelmingly worth it. There is no feeling that I get from everyday life that compares to the feeling I get when I am closing in on the final stretch of a Marathon. Knowing that I put everything I had into my training; the countless miles, 5:00am trips to the gym, endless stretching and ab sessions, a strict diet, a cessation of a personal life. At that moment, when I'm running past the 25 mile marker-it all becomes worth it to me.
There is something intriguing to me about the "mystique of a Marathon". Sure, I love running 5ks, 10ks and even half marathons, but they just don't compare. Every race you run, you have a goal, at least I do. In a 5k you can go out too fast and suffer the consequences for a mile or two. In a 10k you can do the same and the consequences grow greater. In a half marathon pacing becomes increasingly important or you are subjecting yourself to outright torture for countless miles at the expense of going out too fast. However, a marathon is the ultimate test. If you go out too fast in a marathon, you pay like no other. If you go out too fast in a marathon, it's not if you will bonk, but when you will bonk. Hitting that wall is one of the most painful experiences a human being can endure. That is why it is essential to run a pace that will get you across the finish without hitting that wall. However, you don't want to finish the race knowing that you could have ran a lot faster. What's the point? I could easily go out and run a 3:30 marathon, but for what reason. I don't run to finish, I run to put every single ounce of energy I have, every single moment of training i have endured on the line. It's in those 18 weeks leading up to the race that you learn so much about yourself.
You start to get an inkling as to how quickly you'll be able to run the race as you go through ups and downs, physically demanding runs, bitterly horrible runs, cold runs, hot runs, mentally draining runs, and countless other aspects of training. It all comes down to one final decision made by you, "how am I going to be able to to run the fastest race possible?" If you go out too fast, it will kill your time in the end and you'll be infuriated. If you out too slow, you won't feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. You will then present yourself with "what if" questions. However, if you listen to your body and trust your heart and mind, you will make an impeccable decision. Even, if it's the wrong decision, you have only yourself to blame; you can only take what you've learned and get better.
It's that feeling I live for, it's the reason for which I run. It's the reason I devote my existence for 18 straight weeks, just to experience those 900 seconds on race day. It's worth it to me, that's what it's all about.....
Go Run,
Jon
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
-Steve Prefontaine
Well, it's hard to explain, but it is overwhelmingly worth it. There is no feeling that I get from everyday life that compares to the feeling I get when I am closing in on the final stretch of a Marathon. Knowing that I put everything I had into my training; the countless miles, 5:00am trips to the gym, endless stretching and ab sessions, a strict diet, a cessation of a personal life. At that moment, when I'm running past the 25 mile marker-it all becomes worth it to me.
There is something intriguing to me about the "mystique of a Marathon". Sure, I love running 5ks, 10ks and even half marathons, but they just don't compare. Every race you run, you have a goal, at least I do. In a 5k you can go out too fast and suffer the consequences for a mile or two. In a 10k you can do the same and the consequences grow greater. In a half marathon pacing becomes increasingly important or you are subjecting yourself to outright torture for countless miles at the expense of going out too fast. However, a marathon is the ultimate test. If you go out too fast in a marathon, you pay like no other. If you go out too fast in a marathon, it's not if you will bonk, but when you will bonk. Hitting that wall is one of the most painful experiences a human being can endure. That is why it is essential to run a pace that will get you across the finish without hitting that wall. However, you don't want to finish the race knowing that you could have ran a lot faster. What's the point? I could easily go out and run a 3:30 marathon, but for what reason. I don't run to finish, I run to put every single ounce of energy I have, every single moment of training i have endured on the line. It's in those 18 weeks leading up to the race that you learn so much about yourself.
You start to get an inkling as to how quickly you'll be able to run the race as you go through ups and downs, physically demanding runs, bitterly horrible runs, cold runs, hot runs, mentally draining runs, and countless other aspects of training. It all comes down to one final decision made by you, "how am I going to be able to to run the fastest race possible?" If you go out too fast, it will kill your time in the end and you'll be infuriated. If you out too slow, you won't feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. You will then present yourself with "what if" questions. However, if you listen to your body and trust your heart and mind, you will make an impeccable decision. Even, if it's the wrong decision, you have only yourself to blame; you can only take what you've learned and get better.
It's that feeling I live for, it's the reason for which I run. It's the reason I devote my existence for 18 straight weeks, just to experience those 900 seconds on race day. It's worth it to me, that's what it's all about.....
Go Run,
Jon
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
-Steve Prefontaine
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