I got up this morning and decided I want to run four miles. So I got on google maps and charted my course (as seen below). Just before I started running, I decided if I'm serious about running faster, I need to stop allowing myself to run slower than 8 minute mile pace. So that was my goal this morning - run 4 miles in under 32 minutes. I also decided not to look at my watch the whole run. I knew what a "faster than 8 minute mile" pace felt like, so I just had to keep that pace.
Looking at my watch to check my pace hardly ever helps me. If I'm faster than pace, I'll think, "Oooh, I'm ok. I can even slow down if I want or need to..." If I'm slower than pace, I'll think, "Ah. Dang, now I have to run faster to make my goal... meh, I don't think I can do it. I'm too far behind already."
When I focus on checking my pace all the time, I measure myself by what I've done so far. When I stop worrying about all the pace checking, I start measuring myself by what I'm going to do (run four miles in under 32 minutes).
Which made me realize: You are who you become.
You aren't who you are right now. You aren't who you want to become. You are who you become.
My time: 29 minutes. Thank you God. But without mitigating my accomplishment today, I need to wake tomorrow willing to grow more. Especially in fitness, if you're not growing, you're decaying.
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Friday, September 17, 2010
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