There's a lot stuff in the textbooks about the psychology of the marathon. Should you be "associative" with your thoughts when running (e.g. "I've been running for 2.35 km already and it's a personal best time for me today, I think I'll adopt a 2:2 breathing pattern for the next 5km to defer the onset of anaerobic excercise" etc) or does "disassociative" better decribe you (e.g. "did I leave the iron on, I hope not - the house might burn down....hold on, did I renew the house insurance? I think so...I tried one of those price comparison websites with the annoying telly ads.... aren't adverts on TV rubbish...I'm proud of the BBC...well worth the licence fee...admired the world over...where shall we go on holiday next year?" etc)?
Apparently the mental challenge is at least as tough as the physical.
I might agree with that as, at present, the only thoughts I have when running are on the theme of "are we there yet?".
But I can announce a new peronal best. I ran a 4 mile out-and-back route yesterday without stopping - all in 43 minutes. That is better than an 11 minute mile. The fact that Roger Bannister made history with a sub-four minute achievement doesn't depress me; no-one knows how long he'd have taken to do 4 miles.
A final point - chaffing can be a problem (no names, no pack-drill). Suffice to say that I've extended the first-aid kit-list with not a little relief.
Tomorrow is Day 4. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Please take a look at my sponsorship page which explains my madness.
Disassociation every time. No question. Preferably with music.
ReplyDeleteIf I did association I'd stop after 100 yards. In fact, I frequently do, until I remind myself not to.