Sometimes other runners are impressed with my running prowess. I’m not sure why, I’m not the fastest runner around; although, I would classify myself as a local hero. I don’t win any races, but can place in the top 3 in a local race of about 1000 or less, and always finish in the top 1 percent of every race I run, no matter how large or how competitive; that’s my mantra. The last race I trained for was a half-marathon in which I ran a 1:24. Since then I got a knee injury, but ran a 10K in 38:15 with limited training due to the knee which never allowed me to run more than 5 miles. Jerky knee. I don’t consider those times fast or very impressive, I would classify them as close to spectacular. I like living close to spectacular. Being spectacular is too much work.
So why am I close to spectacular at running? Because I’m not spectacular of course. Seriously though, is it genes, training, environment, or physical attributes? Well, my father ran track in college, so I do have running in my genes, but neither of my brothers have ever been much of runners. I have been running rather consistently for 18 years so I would say I have a large base to pull from, but my training for races isn’t a secret formula. Usually 5 days a week with a tweaked “expert” training schedule; however, I don’t do anything else to train but run. No special diet, no heart monitors, no cross-training, just running. My environment has been rather good for running, living in Georgia for most of my life with a good bit of hills, but I did live in downtown Los Angeles for 4 years where it was all flat, smoggy, and full of stoplights. I also was in Iraq for 15 months with the same conditions as Los Angeles minus the stoplights. Now that I think about it, there weren’t any stoplights in the whole country. Even in the large cities. Not that we as the US Army would have cared, we would have just driven through them anyway. And lastly, it isn’t physical attributes. I’m 5’10”, 155 pounds, not ultra skinny, not fat, but I do have a stronger heart than most (I have so much love to give), but hands the size of a girl’s (I’ll never be a professional guitar player), and normal legs, so obviously physical attributes don’t make me a local hero. So what is it?
Competitive Spirit. We all have it, some of us just choose to use it more than others. I’m personally always competing. I’m tracking my words per minute right now. I’m winning. Seriously though, you have to be competitive in your races and your training to reach your running potential. For training I’m not saying you always have to run a fast pace, time yourself on every run, and always be about to die at the end, but you do have to keep yourself accountable. You have to always push it without letting yourself slow down or walk. You also have to take that first step out the door no matter how you feel. Compete against yourself in sticking with a running plan. Don’t let other factors in your life tell you what to do. I bet your boss doesn’t run under 6 minute miles so why listen to him/her?
You have to want to compete in every race. Whether it is against other racers, the race course, or yourself, you must have that competetitive spirit. You have to go into every race knowing that you are going to leave it all out on the race course. You have to push yourself harder than anyone else. It doesn’t matter how much training you’ve done or if you are genetically made to run, it only matters how well you run and finish the race. You have to want it. You have to want to be your best. Even on a half-marathon I am out of breath and tired by mile 2. Because I am always pushing it. Competing until I cross the finish line. Then after crossing the finish line challenging other runners to bannana eating contests. I’m always competing.
So get that competitive spirit and reach your running potential! Don’t you want to be impressive?
If running is 90% mental then why not think about the mental aspect of