Running distracts me from running

Note: this post is me rambling about my thoughts on running and does not have any real scientific merit, but tries to tie together a couple of different approaches to training/racing.

Yup, I know that sounds odd, but that's the statement that I made one morning. Granted, even though it was probably only a little after 7AM, it had been a while since my last cup of coffee, and we were 10+ miles into a run. We had about 2-miles left, were dragging quite a bit, and were supposed to do a few 4-min pick-ups. The debate was whether or not to do them, or just slog on back and curl up in a ball in the parking lot. Ultimately, we resolved to at least try because it would get us back quicker.

That's when I made the genius statement that the "pickups would distract me from running." A few steps later, I started laughing and said that it was "interesting" that running could distract me from running, but there ya go. I started thinking more about this because, logically, it makes no sense, but reality said otherwise. Earlier in the run, we had done pickups also, and that 20-min seemed to fly by compare to the rest. Even though it felt a lot harder, I knew that I only had to run that pace for 4-min before I got a break. That seemed a lot more manageable than the miles we had put in after that which, even though they were a lot slower, had no clear starting and ending point (we were just running and running and running, and because I have no sense of direction, I felt like this could have gone on forever).

This reminded me of why I don't like perfectly flat runs. Basically, even though hilly routes are more difficult, running up a hill and trying to get to the top momentarily distracts me from the fact that I am running to get there. Again, there is a clear goal- the top of the hill. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I mean, who wants to do a long run out at the American Tobacco Trail?! It sucks. And, it's not even like our pace is that different than when we run in Umstead, even though it's a lot flatter.

And then I thought back to another conversation that I had with a runner related to the run-walk training methodology. We had both agreed that the run-walk plan was a good way to increase your mileage quickly and get people exercising longer. We also agreed that once people get their endurance up, it might not be bad to transition away from walking breaks (unless you actually need them). However, people have had a lot of success with this regimen, and can even turn in faster times when they've increased their fitness to a level where they could average at least the same pace for the majority of the run. So, what is it? Ultimately, the other runner pointed out that knowing you can take a break every once in a while makes gives finite conclusion to the "uncomfortable" segment. The majority of people are more likely to push themselves when they know it's going to be over soon (think of the end of a race).

And this reminded me of a piece of advice that Sean had given me before my first marathon- when you're teetering on "the wall", try to pick the pace up for a few minutes and then settle back down. Often times, you can prolong crashing this way, and might even be able to fight through it. In addition to recruiting different muscles (which gives the ones that are now fatigued a slight break), you once again have a small, manageable goal (run 0.5-miles versus the remainder of the race). Plus, if you pick it up, you get done quicker, which doesn't hurt.

So, in conclusion, try to break up longer efforts into small goals and focus on meeting them to the best of your ability... the rest of the workout/race will take care of itself (maybe).