Friday, October 27, 2017

Day 21: Building a Habit

Rarely in life do things go the way you you want them to go. Especially in the pursuit of distance running. Like most things you wish to accomplish, it all starts with the basic concept of needs and wants. Most of the time, we want things, cars, houses, jewelry, or any objects to fill us with the idea that we are happy or complete. These needs are usually easily obtainable, with some hard work and money, you can make it seem like your life is fulfilled. The things we want in life, sometimes can't be as easily reached. Most of us are programmed to want what we don't have. Fame, fortune, expensive things drive us to work harder, or become depressed due to the fact these objects or feelings will never come to life for us.

With running, there are few limitations from keeping us from reaching what we want. Except ourselves of course. Our minds are the biggest instigator, motivator, and sometimes our worst enemy. But, with few distractions and the right mindset, there is absolutely no excuse for not reaching our full potential.

Accomplishing a goal is a direct correlation between the degree of witch you are willing to work, and how long you can convince yourself that the daily grind will result in something beautiful. Some runners may enjoy the simplest aspect of the sport. Going out and getting in a 30 minute jog, 4-5 times a week is enough to continue the balance of a happy life. Then you have the weekend warriors, trying to go after that Boston qualifier. To them, they find the act of simply doing the run, or race, is enough for a pat on the back, and hanging up the shoes for good.

For me, I'm never satisfied. Never have been, and probably never will be. I think I haven't come close to my potential on the roads or the track. The desire to better myself everyday drives me sometimes to extreme measures, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate what I've accomplished in the past. It's easy to get caught up in one side or another, but it's with balance that one is  able to accomplish great things.

The drive for unfulfilled potential comes in waves that can easily vanish as quickly as it showed up. The older I get, the more these questions appear as to why I'm trying to run, what I wish to accomplish, or what this will get me in the long term sense of the sport. Sometimes these questions can get the best of me, and for a long time I was easy to answer without much care or passion.

After my half marathon in Dublin, I was riding a good wave of training, excited for the possibilities and new gained fitness; But quickly, I fell off that wave not caring for myself, or my fitness. Getting in a 30 minute run was miserable at times, and I only really enjoyed a quick dip in the trails, and be done with it. I quit working out, even though the marathon was arriving in 3 weeks, I just didn't seem to care.

It's easy to loose track of what's important in life. The chase for money, fame, or personal satisfaction can eat you alive. The drive to "make it" in society usually is a direct result in giving up a piece of yourself in the pursuit to the top. As runners, we accept that we might be poor, have few friends, much of a social life, or have a hard time explaining why we must press forward with everything we got. Sometimes living the lifestyle of a recluse is all we know. The sacrifice in of itself is one of the hardest things, and also one of the most important things you need to lay the path forward to achieving your dreams.

So, as most people would have guessed, the Columbus Marathon did not go the way I had imagined it would. Going into the race, I knew I didn't belong up at the top. I was no where close to the sub 2 hour 30 minute shape. All of the facts leading into the race pointed that I shouldn't of even ran it. But, I enjoyed a nice Sunday stroll for 10 miles of hard tempo running, and got to help people along the way. It was a short and inevitable death, but helped me quickly figure out that the balance of running and taking care of myself, while continuing to be an adult and work full-time was not happening.

For the past 21 days, I've been able to start getting back into a daily, healthy routine again. I have been living very much in tune with the present, and I couldn't be happier. Making running and training a priority again, finding the balance of working full-time at the hospital, and taking care of myself have become very important to me. This winter I want to become a secluded, well-balanced, strong distance runner. I intend to continue testing myself by giving up things irreverent to my success. The continued balance between what will help me achieve my dreams, and what will make me happy as a person.

I know what I want, and I know how to get it. Making the right decisions daily, and creating healthy habits will allow me to stay on the right track. I intend to mold myself into the best shape mentally, and physically that I have every been in, and it all starts with the decision to simply do it until it becomes a habit.

Here's to the enjoyment of the fall, and the beauty of a hard days work.
- BJW

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Emerald City Half Recap



 Going into unknown territory with nothing more than your bones, muscles and a desire to succeed can be extremely overwhelming at times. Not knowing what to expect around the corner, or what problem may be thrown your way send most people into their programmed state of fight or flight.

Having confidence in your ability to handle and approach situations like these is pretty much what racing is like. As distance runners we all know that at some point that fun and enjoyment we get out of hearing the crack of a starting pistil will subside. and the reality of the situation will soon begin to take weigh in on us. Quickly, we begin to make equations in our head calculating energy vs. distance hoping that we can get the most out of our $0.02. It is at that point where often times we are defined. We must come face to face with our demons, and go to war with lactate.

Being okay with being uncomfortable is pretty much exactly what you wish to accomplish in marathon training. Preparation. Did I eat right all those nights? How much do I weigh? I should’ve taken it easier this week. I should’ve ran more miles last month. All of these thoughts begin to race through your head, but knowing there is a choice early on and preparing for war can give you a tremendous opportunity to find out your true potential on race day.

The battle within turns into a head game with your biggest enemies, and the only thing you can do is hope you’ve built that Orb to handle these uncomfortable and often painful situations. With increased fitness and a strong mindset, by God you can take on the world! Or at least that's what you think.

Emerald city was a great way to find confidence in my ability to be uncomfortable. Luckily, I had two of my friends Breydon Gates and Jeremy Anderson there to help me along the way. From the gun, Jeremy ran side-by-side with me helping me quickly get into a good rhythm. Clicking off mid 5:30’s and enjoying the Dublin countryside I was surprised by how "enjoyable" this was. Breydon met us at mile 9, and helped me cut down the pace for the last 4 miles. By then the legs started to get heavier and heavier, but found that I could override this feeling simply by not thinking much about it.

The last two miles I had a mix of feelings. I couldn’t help but think about how in just 7 weeks, I will be expected to double the distance I’m racing today. But I also thought about how good it was to get back on the roads, and be able to win these small battles within myself. How breaking a tape and crossing the line in first is something I haven’t felt in a very long time, and how in the grand scheme of things, maybe I’m doing okay for myself.

I had a mix of emotions, but all in all it was a great experience put on by M3S Sports and Ohio Health Network. Dublin is a beautiful place to race, and I’m happy I was able to run a new PR and win the Emerald City Half Marathon. Here’s to a healthy and bountiful 7 weeks of training before taking on the great battle the Columbus Marathon.

- BJW

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Alone In The Woods


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Solidarity and being alone are amenities one might find uncomfortable or hard to deal with, but for me these conditions are exactly what I need to create myself into the runner I most desperately needed. I have lived alone in a small one-bedroom home right outside the gorgeous Strouds Run State Park since May of this year, and it has brought such blissfulness and peace into my life.

I find that when put in a situation where you have no other option but to adapt to your surroundings, I become obsessed with the routine and free of all things that may have brought me down before. The ability and freedom to mold yourself into whomever you wish to become, and the realization that most of life's problems that are thrown at you is bull shit. It is a very rare opportunity to have, and I don't plan to waste it.

For me, I want to become a marathoner. I want to run under two hours and thirty minutes at the Columbus Marathon on October 15th, and I'll do anything to do so. I'm very new to the idea of racing more than 3 or 5 miles at a time, so being out there for 26.2 miles terrifies me. The only way I know how to not let that fear overcome me is out there on the roads. Focusing on The Task. Living by the clock, just like Quenton taught me to do. Trying to beat myself up, adapt, and become better than what I was yesterday. The cruel and rewarding lifestyle of the Trial of Miles. Within these realms of life, nothing can hurt you.

So here I am 74 days outside of making my marathon debut, wishing that the fitness and realization I have today would've arrived months ago; But, you deal with what you're dealt with. As I move forward I find that I'm at peace with where I am today, and excited for who I may become tomorrow.

Seems fitting to end with a passage from Rudyard Kipling's "If" heading into marathon season...

"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to nerve your turn after they are gone, 
and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'"


- BJW