Friday, August 03, 2007

Why Do We Beat Ourselves Up When We Have a Down Day????

It's such an inbred human nature to expect to always be our best, do our best, to perform at a peak level of efficency, yet because we are human and there are so many different working parts of the body that ALL have to function perfectly to have a truly UP day, we are way to quick to beat ourselves up when something isn't working as well as it should.

Even finely tuned atheletes will have days that aren't near their peak performance ability...they are still far out ahead of the rest of us, but still by their standards they too have those kinds of days...just as a baseball player falls into a hitting slump....something has to change to bring about other change. Don't let yourself fall further down by seeing a down day as a failure...perhaps it just your body telling you that it's ok to take it easy today, give me some rest and I'll show you what I'm really capable of tomorrow for that race....Going two or three sessions that are less than what you would expect doesn't mean that you are slacking...even a week with less than stellar performance can still be your body saying...I need a break today....look back at how hard you were training the month prior and maybe you can see the reason for what the body is saying.....if you cranked it up over the last month....there needs to be some down time to allow for recovery....

I am so glad that I can have conversations with myself in this fashion, it so helps me see that I'm not a 20 year old, that I don't have to lead the pack, that I can be slow and still be in the top 1% of the world that gets out and does something to continuously improve their health. Putting things in the right perspective helps and sometimes it takes a reality check to see that what I've done is far better than that person that hasn't crawled out of bed yet...or won't get out of the recliner tonight after work....popping can after can of beer through the weekend.

Today I went out and did 4 miles by myself. I had to talk to myself to get it done, to find the strength to not quit. My shins were hurting, my shoe came untied, it was soooo humid, I get tired of wondering if the car coming at me will yield to me, but in the end....I got it done. It wasn't my fastest time by any means...but it puts me further down the road, it puts me closer to my marathon....it makes me feel good now that I'm done....even at a slow pace I'm a success.

Food for thought: Don't wear a pair of Mizuno shorts...with the zipper pocket in the butt...and carry a throat losenge on a hot humid day....they get really sticky by the end of 4 miles.

Total Distance: 4 miles
Total Time: 49:32
Mile 1: 11:59
Mile 2: 12:44
Mile 3: 13:26
Mile 4: 11:21 (where did this come from??)
Avg Pace: 12:23
Avg HR: 146
MAX HR: 171
Temp: 73
Humidity: 91%

11 comments:

ws said...

I can't think of an appropriate and measured response to your post, but I just wanted to say thank you for your comments on my recent posts - they were touching.

I beat myself up, because that is what I know. Like fall down 7 times get up 8 times, if I beat myself up I'll come back stronger. I'm working at it improving that mindset now. It is far easier to beat yourself up with bike racing than with running because of the toll running takes on your body.

Last Sunday I did my long run with an older guy who is also a more experienced runner. I imagine he was having the same types of conversations with himself. I'm a little too aggressive and at 14 miles he cut me loose, but during those last two miles I realized how much I could learn from patient and mature people.

Great job on getting the 4 miles done this AM. The thought of a throat lozenge melting and sticking to me *ss is just so yummy!

Unknown said...

I'm still amazed that you get out and run in the humidity in the first place. Honestly, I think I would stay inside. Give yourself a gold star for getting out there!!

Molly said...

You are a role model to me, seriously. I actually worry that you don't rest enough
(As I have mentioned before. But, once I start running again I know that I will be looking to your consistancy as an example!
You rock!
Take Care

Marcy said...

This was a great post Randy :-) It puts a lot of things into perspective :-) The fact that we're even training for a marathon, tri, duathlon, whatever is better than what 95% of the country does which is sitting on their lazy butts (we aren't a "fat" country for nothing)

It also helps me to look back at how far I've come. Just a couple months ago I was driving in my car and checking the odometer to see how far 13 miles was. I wanted to poop my pants. I didn't think ever be able to cover that kind of mileage. And now a couple months later, here I are. And who knows what else is next ;-)

Unknown said...

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teacherwoman said...

Great post. Well said...written, I mean. It sure makes a person think. I know, that now, since I am experience some "technical difficulties" with my running, I will be able to look back on this when I am out running and be thankful for what I am able to do!

Nice job on the run...despite the humidity, the shoes untying, sore shins, and crazy drivers!

TX Runner Mom said...

Great post! I hear you about beating yourself up...I tend to do that to myself. But, you got those 4 miles done and that's what matters. Way to go.

Jess said...

What a great post. It's a lot of the same stuff that I know deep down is what my body is telling me. But sometimes it's easy to shut myself up and not listen.

But I guess when I hear it from other people it sinks in a little bit more. So thanks for this post. I appreciated it.

And awesome job on the four miles this morning.

Mendy said...

Nice post, indeed. Nice to put it all in perspective. You know, I beat myself up quite a bit, and really - should be just thankful I have the ability to get out and do what I do. I'm happy about that!

Thanks for reminding us what 'it's' all about and great job on running in that heat for 4 miles. You got it done and it matters a LOT!

Mary Gee said...

I have been having these conversations with myself over the last couple of days. It is so stupid that I would expect myself to be a world class elite athlete!

Jess said...

I like this post and can relate to so much of it. But I think it's so great that all of us -- you included -- find the strength or bravery or whatever (maybe it could be labeled "foolishness") to press forth and try to improve ourselves.