This picture certainly doesn't say the proverbial 1,000 words, but it does say four pretty important ones that every athlete needs to take to heart when preparing for a race or simply living: "Never Ever Give Up."
Sometimes it's just too easy to get discouraged or complacent and simply just accept something less than your best. Just look at all those other chickens on that roasting tray, laying down all nice and orderly, resigned to their ultimate demise so early when there this still time to fight! Rise up! Resist!
Last evening I was running with a new-er running friend and we were discussing her upcoming race. We hadn't run together for a few weeks, and I asked how her training had been going. Timidly and rather embarrassingly she admitted that she had indeed not run once since our last 4-miler together. I won't mince words...I almost ran right off the trail and into a tree when she told me this! Mind you, this isn't just a local 5K she is training for...it's a half-marathon. On a very hilly course. Let's say it's an A race. And, it's just a week and a half away. I quickly gathered myself and did my best to encourage her. Since I've run this race, not once but twice, I have a pretty good idea that she is in for quite a long day with her current state of conditioning, but I tried to give her pointers and ideas for how to approach the course on race day. That killer hill at mile 11? Yep...just walk. Save yourself the trouble.
Later in the evening while at home doing chores and attempting to evade the drudgery by re-examining my day, I got to thinking about just why it is that some people, in the face of upcoming challenges, simply run from the reality of it while others go above and beyond to prepare themselves to face it. I guess it's that whole fight-or-flight business I learned about back in my college days, but it still baffles me. I suppose that since my Type-A personality dictates that I prepare above-and-beyond what is necessary for any circumstance that might arise, it's just such a foreign idea to me to commit to something and then sell yourself short by not doing all that you can to perform your best. In most areas of my life, I AM that kung-fu chicken, fighting till the second they put me in the oven to see what I am made of.
Remembering this gives me confidence. I easily forget that I am the one who fights, not the one who flies when it's time to be tested. Lately I've been sort of (read here: absolutely) dreading the swim and bike portions of the upcoming Irongirl Triathlon. I've been letting these things play with my head and discourage me a bit. However, if history is any indicator of future performance, I'll step-it-up. I'll meet the challenge head-on and respond accordingly. Over these last three weeks, I've got to stop dreading those things and start having more confidence while I am swimming and cycling. I've got to get my leg up and tell that oven to shove it. The heat is certainly on....now it's time to keep my cool!
No comments:
Post a Comment