Well... Here I am! I am currently taking a breather from the final preparations I must make before leaving home for the weekend. Tomorrow at 6h00, I will be embarking on a real adventure - my first 100 Mile run at the Sulphur Springs Trail Run.
This week, I focused on taking it real easy, staying loose, and getting my supplies in check. On Victoria Day, I was walking around Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre looking for various knick-knacks in Bass Pro Shops. Lululemon also treated me well when I was able to find the last set of arm warmers in the clearance section. I did a really light core workout a couple nights ago. Other than the walking to and from the office after getting off the train, I was taking it easy all week.
Last night, I did start to get anxious for the first time in weeks. Knowing that the big day is within reach, my mind started racing. I was getting a little loopy as I paced around in Walmart picking up a few more items. Luckily for me, my very insightful friend was able to calm me down. He made a really good point - the hardest part was the actual training. Preparing gear and sorting them into drop bags is easy. Running the actual race is not even as difficult. It is the training. I agree with this notion. When I look back at the months that have gone by, I do agree that training was the most difficult.
What was the story behind it all?
Throughout this journey, I have also learned some valuable lessons.
Ok, a lot of the lessons learned came to me through my yoga practise. To me, ultrarunning is one long meditation session. Things will run through my mind, ideas appear, and solutions to problems present themselves. Each thing that comes to your head comes for a reason. If you let it goes and it comes back to you, then it bares importance...
Tomorrow, I will be out there with a lot of amazing friends. I will be also be thinking about the ones who will not be there, wishing that they were there to share in our adventures in the bush. I am thankful for the friends that have provided me with a supportive friendship. They are the ones that trained with me - in the gym, on the trails, and on the mat. They are the ones who contribute to the amazing stories that have been shared over and over again. They are the ones that have been available for a chat or two in order to keep my emotions in check - online or in person. They have toughened me up, and they have attempted to tell me that sometimes less is more. To all of you... Thank you...
Now... Let the adventure begin!
This week, I focused on taking it real easy, staying loose, and getting my supplies in check. On Victoria Day, I was walking around Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre looking for various knick-knacks in Bass Pro Shops. Lululemon also treated me well when I was able to find the last set of arm warmers in the clearance section. I did a really light core workout a couple nights ago. Other than the walking to and from the office after getting off the train, I was taking it easy all week.
Last night, I did start to get anxious for the first time in weeks. Knowing that the big day is within reach, my mind started racing. I was getting a little loopy as I paced around in Walmart picking up a few more items. Luckily for me, my very insightful friend was able to calm me down. He made a really good point - the hardest part was the actual training. Preparing gear and sorting them into drop bags is easy. Running the actual race is not even as difficult. It is the training. I agree with this notion. When I look back at the months that have gone by, I do agree that training was the most difficult.
What was the story behind it all?
- There were the Saturday mornings when I woke up to a chill in the air and just wanted to go back to bed and stay warm.
- Midweek runs that could only be done in the dark because of having to work when the sun is out.
- Extreme windchill values that threatened to freeze your source of hydration during a long run
- Icy trails and sidewalks that threatened to take you out.
- Being left behind on the trail and having to mentally push to finish the 2 loops at Sulphur on a Sunday morning.
- Dealing with the emotions that go along with life outside of running.
- Arriving at work the day after a long running weekend walking a little stiff and meeting the blank stares of those colleagues who just don't understand or wouldn't understand if you told them.
- The guilt you sometimes feel when you realise that you don't have too much time to spend with anyone outside of the running circle including family and friends.
Throughout this journey, I have also learned some valuable lessons.
- What you resist will persist - just go with the flow and stick it out.
- Never be afraid to lean on others - Divide the pain, multiply the joy (ok... I'm a maverick. I have to work on that one)
- Listen to your body... Don't be afraid to take it further but be prepared to back off a touch if you sense trouble.
- If there is something (or someone) in your life that throws off your balance, it will eventually fall away when you stick to what matters to you.
- Fecal vision (courtesy of Baron Baptiste) - What you look for will come... If you look for the shit, you will find the shit. Visualise what you want to invite in and it will come. The Laws of Attraction work here...
Ok, a lot of the lessons learned came to me through my yoga practise. To me, ultrarunning is one long meditation session. Things will run through my mind, ideas appear, and solutions to problems present themselves. Each thing that comes to your head comes for a reason. If you let it goes and it comes back to you, then it bares importance...
Tomorrow, I will be out there with a lot of amazing friends. I will be also be thinking about the ones who will not be there, wishing that they were there to share in our adventures in the bush. I am thankful for the friends that have provided me with a supportive friendship. They are the ones that trained with me - in the gym, on the trails, and on the mat. They are the ones who contribute to the amazing stories that have been shared over and over again. They are the ones that have been available for a chat or two in order to keep my emotions in check - online or in person. They have toughened me up, and they have attempted to tell me that sometimes less is more. To all of you... Thank you...
Now... Let the adventure begin!
good luck tomorrow. I am sticking with the 25k thats long enough for now
ReplyDelete