Training for Adaptation Not for Arbitrary Mental Box Checks
“So I focus on the uncomfortable feelings as much as the uncomfortable effort”
Yesterday was my first big Tuesday workout under Coach Sheldon’s direction. I kicked ASS! First time my body and mind felt like an efficient race car!
Historically, I have done well resting Monday and then setting a 4 am alarm to get a monster practice in before work and then do a second "thing"after work.
It's a lot, but it allows me to create an eb and flow with hard and easy efforts- both physically and psychologically.
But, this also creates some FEAR!
I get all the nervous feelings that come with the unknown and the fact that I am making this ONE day or workout so significant.
But, it is also a practice of mental strength and focus that is much needed if I want to race well and show up to even harder workouts as the training prescriptions increase.
So I focus on the uncomfortable feelings as much as the uncomfortable effort. The funning thing is, the effort felt so much easier than all the uncomfortable feelings attached to it..lol
See, this is why we need to put ourselves in uncomfortable MENTAL situations progressively so you can show up to your goal race already having confronted this with mental strength practice.
Throughout my training life, I naturally have times of confusion and unfocused training- I think these times have their own benefits to the eb and flow of competitive training. I often enjoy spending time helping friends with their goals and chatting miles and miles and miles away- but my body doesn't like it for tooooo long. I lose my stride and I start to take on others' goals instead of caring for my own wants, needs, and desires - it's a balance I am always working on: doing Me while still inspiring and lifting up other sisters and brothers in my sport- MY PEOPLE!
Anyways, I digress…AGAIN.ha:
So, I got in a bad habit of slogging miles just to check a box or help a friend, then when I showed up to Tuesday- I also had an excuse to not show up with 100 percent effort- cause you know, my body had not recovered since I didn't rest my running muscles.
So, I now embrace the feeling of being overwhelmed by taking a pre workout rest day because HONESTLY, there is no excuse for shitty effort or bailing when it's most important to show up.
Now that I have a goal that is challenging me, I’m really trying to get back to my old training self by avoiding some of the bad habits I have accrued- like doing things just to make my brain happy even if they are really not enhancing my performance towards my big picture goal.
For instance, running extra miles to feel like I "got ahead" -sounds crazy, but I think many Type A distance runners can relate to this. I think it is an innocent act that sorta turns into a bad habit.
We hear so many experts and elites in our sport who swear by what works-
OR
We take something outta context and our brains hold on to that assumption for years!
The truth is, we are all individuals who react to training slightly differently. The principles are the same, but the process is not linear. Each of us has a distinct upbringing and trajectory in this sport.
The trouble occurs when we listen to a podcast,read a book or do some research, talk to a successful friend or doctor and hang on to these tidbits for dear life- even if they are not growing us.
If I take a broad look at my past 30 years in sport - it all comes down to this: ME.
If I don't care, love, respect, TRUST ME over all else- I put myself in risky situations. My friend Amy Marxkors and I like to say, “Things are getting a little STICKY!”
I think the ability to get curious about yourself: old patterns, motivations, trends is the key to successful running and training.
Stripped of all the external motivators, can you show up for you because you love you and your dreams enough to do the hard thing- whether that hard thing is a workout, recovering, xtraining, weights, mobility, sleep, nutrition, confronting addictions that are not serving you?
Why do you have this goal? If the answer to this is only external- it is flimsy- you will continually struggle and self doubt.
It's time to get honest on what you want and go after it- good, great, and dirty.
Nothing worth doing is ever easy.
Enjoy it- you are living life fully. You are alive. Growth and discomfort share the same room.
And remember, discomfort does not always need HARD EFFORTS and High Heart Rates - sometimes the HARD is in the details. So, go take that ice bath, drink that protein shake, read an enjoyable book, lift those heavy weights, and PLEASE Stretch!
This week for me is all about creating a rhythm and a routine that works for ME.
In the comments, dare to share: What is your dream/goal? How can you structure your week to get the greatest physical and psychological adaptations? What help do you need to get to this goal?
yes, yes 💯 yes