Pain: Hard vs. Fast

A great article in The New York Times that "T" ran across. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/health/nutrition/19best.html?_r=1

The article sites a great runner who can inspire us all to do great things. Learn more about Kim Smith http://www.eliterunning.com/2010/04/interview-with-kim-smith/

In addition to the great information the article provides, a tangent I would like to go off on from this article is pain and the way you approach running fast. I have made an effort to not use the word HARD when referring to training. This is a very common misconception among novice runners and coaches. Yes, there is no question that running fast is a hard task, but the word hard brings a negative connotation to the act of running fast.

Running fast should be approached with a positive mindset. As a runner you need to run as fast as possible and maintain a relaxed mind and body when doing so. The moment you start to fight the pain you are feeling you begin to lose the battle against pain. Let me say this again....

The moment you start to fight the pain you are feeling, you begin to lose the battle against pain.

Great runners accept and embrace the uncomfortable feeling that occurs when running all out and as fast as possible.

I approach all my races and FAST workouts in the same ways that were referred to in The New York Times article. At this past Sunday's Detroit 1/2 Marathon I was challenged by an elite runner from Kenya. He is an extremely talented runner and after we got into the race I knew that if I wanted to beat him I was going to have to run him into the ground. I had done the training and I was ready to go to war against him. We played cat and mouse games up until 8 miles, and at a few points came down to a walk because he did not want to lead the race at all. His objective was to just sit on me, use me until the end and then out kick me to take home the 1st place prize money.

At around 8 miles I decided to start running all out and make him suffer as much as possible. I too was feeling the pain, and the only thing I could do was to accept this uncomfortable feeling and run. At 10.5 miles he finally broke.

I made a choice to accept the pain... just like you too can make a choice to either accept the uncomfortable feeling of running fast. Embrace it and love it. PAIN... It's the gift that keeps on giving.