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In preparation for my Ultra in October, today was Day #1 of trail training at Wekiva Springs National Park. I had not run in a wooded area since I was a teen back in PA. Back in the day, running in the woods to get to the coal banks was a popular activity. As was turning various shades of black and gray.
Today’s run was unique. I had some assumptions and guesses, all of which proved to be incorrect. Firstly, I anticipated trail running to be much more difficult compared to road running. This was really not the case. In fact, in many ways it proved easier. The softer surface was much easier on the joints and body as a whole and the canape of trees was a welcome shade most of the way.
In addition, according to my handy dandy heart rate monitor, I burned only 56 more calories during this 10 mile run as compared to the road. Basically 2 bites of a candy bar. It was surprising as there were constant changes in direction, both vertically and side to side. With the exception of some relatively straight patches, it was mostly running and shuffling up and down and both sides of the trail, over stumps and around fallen branches.
The views were dramatic. No less than 15 deer were my new “friends” at various points along the path. An assortment of melodies from birds too numerous to name also provided welcomed entertainment. Add some rabbits and a couple of snakes and it was definitely a visual treat.
There certainly were challenges as well. Every 500 feet or so, I had to unwrap a spider’s web from various upper body parts. Bug spray would have been a really good idea also. Sun glasses too. Not to protect one’s eyes from the sunlight but from the gnats and other flying critters that had a great affinity for my cornea.
The biggest difference between trail and road running is the social aspect. On the road, I always feel connected to people. Seeing our Tri & Run friends or favorite Muddy Buddies or even strangers helps me to realize that there always is a bigger reason to run than just oneself. There is a common bond that joins us and feels really good to be a part of this. The opposite is the case for trail running.
Trail running is great:
- If you live and work in Manhattan and need to get away from it all – to balance life or
- You are an introvert. Not necessarily a unibomber-type personality but unlike most road runners, anti-social is commonplace in this crowd.
I have 4 or 5 more practice runs before the Ultra and have to say, I really prefer the road more traveled.
Many people are very good at giving praise. We see the end results of training and both appreciate and admire what was accomplished. They are our friends and we want them to excel and when a friend does, it is as if a part of us succeeded as well. And we express it.
“Congratulations!
That was great.
Wonderful.
Fantastic Job!’
These are the common comments. We know them. We say them. More so, we really mean them.
Yet when we are the recipient of true praise, we often squirm, look down and explain why and how it really was not so good. In fact, we could have and should have done better. Much better.
In summary, someone gave us a gift. A thoughtful, meaning gift. We in turn took it, appreciated it for a could of seconds and then explained to the giver how it was not the right color or size, how it was wrapped incorrectly and was nothing at all what we wanted. In short, we are often great at giving but need some work at receiving.
I took a training a few years ago and we did an odd but impactful exercise. There were some 4000 people in the room of which I knew a total of zero. We were to walk up to one another and based upon first impressions, give a compliment. The receiver of the compliment was to say nothing more than “thank you.”
Sounds simple and the act of doing this was indeed, simple. The tumbling and turning internally however, reminded me of a gymnastics competition performed by frogs on high dose caffeine. There was an urge to immediately return the compliment or to explain to the give how “inaccurate” or “misinformed” they were. Peeking around the room, it was easy to observe the squirming and uncomfortable physical reactions that were consistently occurring.
Why is it difficult at times to accept? Would we ever turn down a physical gift from a well meaning friend? After all, a compliment is an investment in happiness.
Is there a better investment that this?!
We are all inhabitants of beautiful planet Earth yet we also live in many worlds.
We live in “work world” where people know a facet of our personality. Perhaps, this facet is Responsible Person, or Creative One or Mr./Ms. Reliable.
We also live in “home world” where our spouses often know us more thoroughly than we know ourselves. They know our greatest joys and deepest fears. The whole picture is exposed to them alone.
We also live in one of our favorite worlds - “athlete world.” Here we gather with others of our kind and share our stories, our dreams or even to just lick our wounds. We use words like “only” or “just” in front of phrases such as “14 miles to run today. . . “ and consider this normal. Par for the course.
It is only when worlds blend temporary that we realize that what we do is rather odd. And special. Mention the aforementioned words and phrase in a complete sentence to people in “work world” and watch the reaction. “You ran WHAT?! NO WAY! Are you crazy?! I could never. . . . “ Something to this effect.
Maybe they are right. Being inhabitants of “athlete world” has skewed our views. What is seen as impressive or special, is now viewed as commonplace. Perhaps we can take a minute or 2 and breath. Breath and take time to remind ourselves what we do is out of the norm and not many are willing to go there. To appreciate the opportunities we have created and the various skills that we have dug inside to find and use. Even if this is just for a minute. We will get back on the road soon enough. . . .
There are 6 frogs on a lily pad. Three decide to jump off. How many frogs are left?
Every sport has a “hard date” start. Baseball always starts on the first Monday of the first week of April. For football, it is the second weekend in September. For running, it is June 1 or so I decided. For unknown reasons, I have always looked at this date as the beginning of the running season.
Things change after June 1. The miles start to accumulate with rapid consistency. Diet starts to tighten up and flexibility is limited; that is, “I planned on running 13 today but 10 was fine.” May 30th — that would have worked. After June 1, it is no longer an option. Why? DNF is NAO. Did not finish is Not An Option.
It is also the time when I design my events and corresponding training plans. Also, I listen to others sharing their events and training, their high hopes and dreams of longer distances or better times and great experiences. The energy is just intoxicating as there is nothing like an event. Looking to create a new, different, better version of yourself? Do an event. Any distance and the person who finishes is almost never the one who starts. Something changes along the long miles. It reminds me of the kid who digs inside his box of Leggo’s, looking for a blue square and instead, finds a green star. . . which then becomes the centerpiece of the project.
Before the events, before the green stars, there is the training and this is the deciding factor. The events are the end result of what occurred 4 months or so prior. If training is dedicated, there will be 5 stars, 4 circles, 3 octagons and a partridge in a pear tree. So each year, I ask myself the question, There are 6 frogs on a lily pad. Three decide to jump off. How many frogs are left?
The answer is 6. Yes, 3 decided but deciding is not doing. And all of the grandiose events and accompanying celebrations that are planned will never happen unless the work is done. It is easy to confuse the two (deciding and doing), assuming they are interchangeable but at mile 18, only one comes to the forefront.
June 1 marks the beginning of the running season. It is also the Time of Choice. Decide, contemplate, plan, deliberate, coordinate or premeditate and get one result. OR Run. Rinse. Repeat. And get another.
The old Quaker expression says it best, “Pray is good. Just be sure your feet are moving.”
