And speaking of emotions, the day before the half-marathon, I was driving along the race route and was suddenly hit with a much easier emotion to identify – fear. Unexpected, unambiguous, plain-old fear, triggered by the sight of the road I’d be running on. The feeling went away quickly as I talked myself down, remembering my successful completion of a 10 mile run just a few days earlier. But wow, I wasn’t expecting that.
Looking back at it, I think it was just a response to the anticipated pain involved with running 13.1 miles. It turns out, my body thinks pain is scary. And it’s right, ‘cause pain hurts.
But until this weekend, I had no idea distance running was such an emotional experience.
But until this weekend, I had no idea distance running was such an emotional experience.
2 comments:
Isn't there a saying that goes something like: running a marathon is 10% physical and 90% mental?
It's funny how we can be scared of a race that we voluntarily sign up for (I had that same feeling when I did a 10k). What's the worst thing that can happen? You may have to walk for a little bit? :)
Awesome job, Dan. I'm very impressed!
I agree - running is at least 90% mental, although I certainly ran into that 10% physicality around mile 11, when I told myself I could keep running, I would not walk... and much to my surprise found that my legs had decided to walk anyway.
As for the fear, I think it was the lizard-brain part of me, recognizing the upcoming pain and discomfort and reacting accordingly, with a short burst of fear chemicals to the brain.
It really is a fascinating experience...
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