34 minutes, the average time i take to run 3miles or 4.5 Km, at a comfortable pace...(Fact)
A timer watch - From determination to not look at it to the confidence to not look. A leap from will power to self assured. From being 'at it' to being 'on top of it'. ..(Philosophy)
(History)
The most basic running distance of 3miles, is a distance that i run the most in my training, at least twice a week. In study language these would be revision run. A brush through. To keep off the body from jamming up, conserving it for that long weekend run. A timer watch, that helps moderate pace, to know if you running too fast or a bit slow. As much as you know what a comfortable pace should be, you would not want to be too slow, and watch helps control this. A timer watch, however, can enslave you, to constantly check it, a certain dependence on it, and a certain lack of it on your own self. Body lacks the judgement to moderate, for the lack of conditioning. In all the training pressure and madness, i tend to look at the watch too often. Not something i regret, but cant help the natural urge. Hal says (virtual coach) that if you are a first time marathoner you should forget about the watch and just look at running the distance. Don't care about the time, its immaterial, for your pride would be if you cross that finish line, and you have proven enough. I am obviously ignoring it for my need to know and track my progress.
On the other side, i suffer from a little excess dependence on the watch. Determination, is therefore what i practice to control that Urge…(Weakness)
(Fact)
Determination to confidence, the lesson from my 24th run yesterday, 15th three mile. That leap, of being on top of it. I did not look at the watch. Never felt the urge. Pace was comfortable enough. I knew i was in control of my run. Timing did not worry, for i was confident i will finish at best in a little more than 34mins. I felt comfortable and confident. I realised i took my leap, from determination to confidence...
(Unexpected)
31mins, the time I took to cover that 3mile yesterday. 10% better. My prized reward for the leap i took...
I actually understand the bit about looking at the timer... its amazing how much running, capoeira or for that matter any other workout have in common.... I used to almost die playing for 30 seconds in the Roda initially... it culminates after a 45 minute warm up, 15 minutes of gingas and kicks, 30 minutes of sequences, 15 minutes more of acrobatics and stuff I cannot do and i realised i used to look at the damn clock all the time... and the days ive had energy to play in the roda are the days i never looked at the clock... and these days, after 3 and a half years of capoeira, i dont loook at the clock.. and the way u beautifully put it in words after your run... the leap as u called it .... it gives all of us who work out in someway or the other hope to keep at it !
ReplyDeleteMaybe i'm stating the obvious but feel the urge to say it anyway. for me looking at the clock also implies i'm competing..."beating the clock" as it were... the transition from beating it to not caring, just completing takes a huge leap to maturity... what say?
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ReplyDelete@ninja - agree. my leap is of an addiction to a certain ease and belief that things will be fine..."dont look" :)....my alternate check is the distance...so i knw i will run the distance..but i dont need to do nerdish observation of it all the time :)
ReplyDelete@kips - Yes its a big leap, more mental than physical. Because i can vouch that when u dont care, you actually beat the clock better. I did.But after certain amount of practice ofcourse. Thats why the mention of Confidence :).