So far so good,I seem to be holding up pretty well. I have had a very busy and draining week, exhaustion has set in every day as i have started a new position. An update on the ol' bod...
my feet hurt! The bottoms! It could be the distances taking the pounding. It may be the silly shoes i have been wearing in my new profession. The bottoms feel bruised! Morning hurt the most as i roll out of bed. Feels like I have been walking for hours on really rocky shores in bare feet.
My piriformis and my ITB are holding up remarkably well, which to me is such a joy and I am experiencing much less hip stiffness than I previously did. Today my right calf hurts.
So all in all, my training is goin as planned. I am not following to the letter any runner'sworld for newbies on the first marathon plan, but in my head I know my goals. I am pushing the distance per week less than 10% each time to get to just below 42 km. I have edged up and backed off a couple of time s to give my bod recoup time. I am letting recovery runs be just that.
It is getting colder in the mornings. Almost time to break out the winter gear, I would say, which is a pain since all the training I have done is in summer garb, so hopefully no huge amounts o chaffing wil happen. Just in case, I have bought my first "glide" stick.
Some reflections. I will be emotional for this race. The half last year was emotional for me. It represented so much, was very personal. I have put a lot in to my training. Not jsut physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. All this year's challenges seems to be in the training. From a new home to a family trial to a huge change up in career and all the uncertainty that came with it, my running times were the bread and butter of my coping, of reflecting, of problem solving, of coming "unravelled", of my being in the moment when I was feeling anxious, and my prayer life, my sweet worship times. So this race in Oct will be like the expression of all that investment. Which gets me thinking about beyond that, how the winter will be, I need to have some goals over the dark winter months. Maybe not such lofty ones. I have one month to gear up, taper and prepare for this race. tIt will hopefully be the first in many, but I like to start with a bang! My friend Jeremy will not be joining me this time. This was a nice distraction last year, Maybe Not having him might keep me more in the moment. Who knows.
I am thinking now of a word from scripture:
1 Corinthians 9
24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
I know th point of this script is not about running but metaphorically about seeking to love on God with all we have for a crown you can't receive here on earth. But to appreciate the metaphor, it is so enriching to understand what the author is talking about in the discipline of running a race, the effect of things that hinder on your training and being purposeful. those who win arent just kidding around, they are focused, they say no to things others may not understand because they are saying "yes" for so long to the prize they envision.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
When I look at this last scripture, I think of my father., Terry Teigen Since he passed away, I have wondered what those who are with Jesus in glory get to see of our world once gone. This scripture makes me think that I not only have him as an example, but as one who is allowed to rejoice with me in victory, to pray for me in trial and hardship, and to be a witness to God's work in my life. He left a legacy, spiritually that continues in me. One for running, especially, I think of him a lot while I run. More on that again soon, me thinks. Sometimes, although i know I can't talk with the dead, i ask Jesus to give my dad a hug for me or to give him a message of love. The veil is up, but it wont be forever, what a day that will be! So I run in the meantime.
How do you prepare for races? What do you think about , especially on your firsts? Let me know.
Cheers!
8 comments:
The biggest and best advice I hear is "trust your training." You are training strong, so don't go changing things up on race day. Don't do anything you haven't tried out (don't tie your shoes differently, eat different stuff, etc).
What do I think about? I'm forever doing the math; where am I on the course? What percentage have I finished? How is my pace?
If you have a target goal, finding a pace group is always helpful. I also look for other people to encourage while running. And always to look for an opportunity to share my faith.
Thanks Thief!
I have read the "don't change things", which is totally understandable. ya I do the count down math too, how much longer? How does it compare with my training times?
I have heard complaints of pacing groups as some have not been accurate. Have you seen this? Trust factor, I suppose. I learned about seeding last year as i realized how far back i was compared to my time. Now I will have a better understanding as to where to place myself. This will be changed this year!
YA!
You share your faith WHILE in races? Out of breath sharing *pant* so God *pant* changed *pant* me *pant* me...*GASP*....
I kid I kid.
I am a terrible extrovert. If I'm running with people, I'm talking. I'll find people to talk to. I sometimes run with my friend, Speedy Rob, and he pushes me really hard. Yet we keep up a conversation. I don't go all Ray Comfort on anyone, but I do share what God's doing.
Wow, Wow, Wow. Very great post Chad. I am glad that your body is holding up well. Glad that your hip is not bothering you as it once was. I continuously pray for you as you head out the door especially on those long runs man. Best wishes to you as you train long and hard for this first marathon. Your post couldn't come at a better time as I just had my first Half marathon yesterday. How do I prepare? Well, Prayer goes a long way, I train long and hard and see what my body is capable of doing with out pushing it too far for the next day. My first ever race yesterday was quite an event. I really didn't think too much on anything. I focused on the mile I was in, not about the whole distance. That helped me out a lot. I was always running my hardest to see what split I would end up with at every mile. Racing every mile. Yes, I could jog 13.1 miles, but It is a RACE. A race against ones self. A RACE to see what you are capable of. That's what I was thinking about. I wanted to give it 500000% and I did and I nailed it. Thanks for sharing the scriptures man. As far as being a witness and testimony, a blog is a good tool for that. Thanks and thanks for your awesomeness in being able to motivate and captivate your readers such as I. Take care and God Bless Brother "In Christ".
Although i now have to go google ray comfort, (which I without of curiosity!), I get that, I am the same with my running buddy..
I am also the same with my life, being fairly transparent and intentional to let them know just how much my relationship with God is affecting my day to day, because it does in such a big way. Thanks for that thief! Lets go running sometime when we are in each other courts. ( which I think will not be soon sadly!)
Hey Kenley, thanks, I see you are hitting your own milestones and races. You looked like you were having an great time! Its also gret that you have a spouse with such a similarily keen interest in the same sport!
Great for you, doing good. I like your post it is very positive in spirit. Keep it up.
Hey ZBSPORTS!
Thanks for dropping in! SO great to hear from you, I think we could all use a lift once in a while!
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