Mind is Everything - Paavo Nurmi

A few days ago my question was "How the hell am I going to run 6 miles on Sunday when I am struggling with 2?" Well, I found the answer today - you run 6 miles with your head.
I spent most of yesterday thinking mostly about Paavo Nurmi - the person whom I revere as the god of my running universe. Those are his words which grace the top of my blog: "Mind is everything: muscle, pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind". This is something all runners know - but it is really hard to remember that when you are having a difficult moment. It is hard to overcome what Lasse Viren calls "the barriers of the mind". It is so much easier to give in to the discomfort and pain. But how to wrap your mind around it?
I often think that running is about paying tribute to the spirit. Firstly your own, and then to all those who came before you. I felt that the issues I was facing were mind-related. Having established that, I felt grateful that I had no muscular or joint issues, given that, I could actually try out this running-with-your-mind business.
I felt washed out on the starting line in Hyannis this morning. It was a cold grey day with showers threatening on the horizon. The 10K, half marathon and marathon all started together and there were sections of the start sectioned off according to pace. I made my way towards the back of the 9 minute mile section, where I was joined by a few of the other Luna Chix.
I thought I would start out slowly and then step it up at mile 5 if I was feeling ok. However, as soon as I started running, my mind drifted to Paavo Nurmi. This was no time to pussyfoot around, so I stepped on it. And ran and ran and ran. Today I ran to the best of my current ability. I ran the fastest pace that I could and never did I even think of slowing down. In the end I ran the 10K in 58:39, giving me a pace of 9:27. I placed 203 in a field of 444 runners, and I placed 14/39 in my age group.
I could not feel my legs when I crossed the finish line, and I now not only felt completely washed out, but brain-washed out too. I picked up my medal and went for a lovely choclately doughnut, cortesy of Dunkin' Donuts. I am happy with what I did today. It's not the best performance I've ever had, but I would like to think that today I ran with my mind - my legs merely complied with the motion.

Why is this happening to me?? @%^%*&£*!

I feel sick. That is the long and short of it. Yesterday I ran for 1.5 miles before I stopped. Stopped, or I would have fainted. I walked a bit then ran some more until I had to stop and go home. I was sweating profusely, had a dry mouth and could not feel my lungs anymore. I also could not feel my legs. Fine, I thought, I probably have not eaten enough.
Today I consumed extra calories and made sure I was well hydrated before I started my run. This time I made it to 2.5 miles before I had to stop. Not only did I feel faint again, my head was spinning, dry mouthed, and my legs felt like jelly. It was as though I had never run in my life - ever. This time there was no second round, my legs could not function. I had to hold onto the bars of the treadmill and WALK.
How on earth am I going to run 6 miles on Sunday? I feel physically run down and tired. Mind you, I have only been feeling like that this week. OK, last week I spent the long weekend in bed with a fever, chills and all the rest of it. But that was then. Things seemed fine on Tuesday when I did my brick. Well, thankfully I am not driving to Hyannis. I have no idea why Carrie is not going, but I managed to arrange a lift today with one of the Luna Chix.
Thinking about Hyannis makes me tired. I have no idea how the hell I am going to manage 6 miles and I feel miffed that I will probably not stay under an hour. Ironically I had hoped to shave off a few minutes on my 10K time in this race, but as things stand......I will be lucky to finish the race. Enough. I am going to have a glass of wine and a warm shower. I don't want to think about this anymore.

Super Sunday 5K/10K, Feb. 1, 2009

The Marathon Sports Super Sunday 5K/10K race took place on Sunday 1st February. I had signed up for the 10K (my first timed 10K ever), and the route would provide runners with a spectacular tour of Boston's growing Seaport district with amazing waterfront views of the city and harbor.
The event started and finished at Legal Sea Foods' corporate headquarters, passed by the Harpoon Brewery, the Bank of America Pavillion and the Seaport World Trade Center. We continued through Fan Pier, passing the new ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) before turning at the Moakley Federal Courthouse. Then came a few yards along the Harborwalk with its stunning panoramic views of downtown Boston.
The day was chilly with grey skies, but thankfully with no harsh winds or snow. I thought of wearing a balaclava, (I still have mine from a snowmobiling trip in the Arctic), but thought I would brave it without. As it turned out, there were 2 others in balaclavas, but it was bearably cold.
I met Carrie at my stop and we went down to South Station together and got the complimentary bus to the harbour. That too was a blessing, because although I was wearing my new (midzero) Sugoi tights, my legs were starting to feel a bit nippy. I was glad that I did not have any bags to check in as the queue was so long. In fact Carrie and I had lined up already but Kathy was still in the bag queue! I guess the idea must have been that since the race is chip timed, it does not really matter when you start. Still, I do not think I would be a particularly happy bunny if I were in a queue waiting to drop off my bag, and had to watch everyone surge off without me!
Well, I did the warm up prior to the race and then mooched off to the start. It seemed like we were standing there for a while, when finally people started moving. And then we were off, I started off cautiously and stopped for a drink at the 3 mile mark. At mile 4.5 I saw the clock at 40 minutes and knew I had to pick up the pace a bit. After that, I have no idea of clocks or times, until I saw the sign marking 6 miles. The final 200 yards seemed to go on forever, but high-fiving a little girl wearing pink gloves along the way, made me forget the discomfort, as well as to sprint! Furthermore, I was smiling so much thinking about that high five, that I forgot to look at the time board when I crossed the finish line.
That meant that I had no idea how I had done, and had to wait until Monday when the results were posted to discover that I had finished in 57:33. My split was 28:48, which meant that my average speed was 9:16. I placed 21/33 in my age group, and placed 476 out of a field of 731. Although I was pleased with the result, I am going to try and polish off a few seconds in the Hyannis 10K which comes up on 22nd.
It was a lovely day, I had my first taste of New England Clam Chowder, but skipped the beer as they asked me for ID!!!!! The best part? We raised more than $10,000 for Live strong and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.