Marathon Training Inspiration!
Excerpt from Christopher McDougall's Born to Run
Note: The "Ann" mentioned in the excerpt below, refers to Ann Trason. Trason is an American Ultra Marathon runner. She is considered to be one of the best of her time.
...Ann insisted, running was romantic; and no, of course her friends didn't get it because they'd never broken through. For them, running was a miserable two miles motivated solely by size six jeans: get on the scale, get depressed, get your headphones on, and get it over with. But you can't muscle through a five hour run that way; you have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it.
Relax enough, and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you're moving. And once you break through to that soft, half levitating flow, that's when the moonlight and champagne show up: "You have to be in tune with your body, and know when you can push it and when to back off," Ann would explain. You have to listen closely to the sound of your own breathing; be aware of how much sweat is beading on your back; make sure to treat yourself to cool water and a salty snack and ask yourself, honestly and often, exactly how you feel. What could be more sensual than paying exquisite attention to your own body? Sensual counted as romantic, right?
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All too often, vigorous exercise is only discussed in juxtaposition to weight and beauty. If you want to look like THIS, you must do THAT {and it isn't going to be fun, let alone romantic}. Having been a victim of this thinking myself, physical activity has felt like punishment; a curse rather than a blessing.
Thus, finding people who can convey a different narrative are nothing short of heroes to me.
McDougall's Born to Run is filled with passages that describe running as an intimate beautiful experience. I LOVE thinking of the act of moving my body in this way. It stirs-up an overwhelming sense of gratitude in my heart. Gratitude for having time in my days to cultivate a mind, body and soul connection . Where trivial worries and hang-ups fall away. Some days it's just me and the pavement. Other days it's just me and my yoga mat. And on a great day, it's both.
Be sure to check Underlined and Bold tomorrow! A second passage from Born to Run that's been inspirational for my marathon training will be revealed!
Until then,
Happy Monday Everyone!!
Exactly what I needed to hear today! I've been struggling with a marathon schedule for months now, and I have trouble sticking with commitments. I'm headed out for a run in an hour or so, and without this inspirational post of yours, I probably would have skipped it. Thanks :)
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