Half of Running is 90% Mental

I just read a book that Bill bought me: The Non-Runner's Guide to Running a Marathon by Whitsett and Dolgener. The writers are actually professors at UNI, which is sort of cool. (One, maybe both of them, are retired now.) I'm not, at this point, training to run a full marathon, but I got some stuff from the book--mostly about mental training and flow.

I've been using some the techniques to get through longer runs on the treadmill. Hopefully I'll need them less running outside, but it's nice to have them in my repetoire. The books teaches you to make up and play mental games, most of which seem ridiculous, but they work to keep you focused and get you into what I call "the zone." They call it "flow." A colleague of mine does research on flow and I thought it was completely uninteresting until I realized I could relate it to running.

The book also focuses on positive thinking in life and in running. It discusses internal locus of control, which is related closely to one of my professional research interests (mastery). Overall, a pretty good read. I'm glad I took the time to read it. If you looking for something on biomechanics and technical running, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a way to get through and even enjoy marathon training, read this book.

Running is going really well. I hate to be overly optimistic, but the IT bands are doing great. I stretch, I ice, I massage, and so far that's kept the pain at bay. I need to thank Bill for helping me out with that. I'm not doing great with getting out of bed to run before work. I'm a little disappointed in myself about that, but I should give myself a break. I get my runs in after work--without fail--and a run at 6 p.m. is as good as a run at 6 a.m., although for some reason I want to be a 6 a.m. runner. Maybe simply because it's difficult for me. I've never claimed to be a morning person.

I haven't missed a run since I started my training plan about a month ago. I've followed it to a T. The only exception is that I modify the tempo runs and speedwork a little, but I feel good about how I am running. Of course, I'm still a tortoise, but I'm a damn consistent tortoise.

On another note, my stepdad, Dennis, was in a little bit of a freak accident this week, but it looks like he's going to be just fine. I'm grateful for that. I know he's in pretty intense pain right now. Hopefully that passes quickly.