Is there a little Lance in you?

[The Moose1]

So, it's Tour time again, and I'm electrified.  Lance is definately not my favourite person, but, I've got to admit, he's awesome in the Tour.

After reading his books, I think a big part of his success is because of his focus.  I completely buy that his near death experience combined with his psychological make up allows him to "dig deeper" than the average bear.

This of course begs the question, how much better could I be if I was willing to dig deeper, more often.

I ask this question, because of a recent event in my training.  The Boy and I were racing up the Bay Bridge on the way back from a gruelling 10 mile run, when, half way up, he decided to pick up the pace a little.  We were already travelling faster than 10k race pace, and I had made up my mind that this hill would be mine.  Obviously I had to respond.
25 meters later, as my lungs screamed, my legs wailed, and my heart pounded, I decided I'd had enough...I dropped back a meter or two, and remembered that I needed this victory to guarantee a tie for the day.  What could I do?  I was out of steam, and losing ground when I decided that maybe there was more in the tank, and powered my way past and over the top for a decisive victory.
Had I given in to my initial instinct I never would have been close...so where did that strength come from?  I mean, I was finished.  My legs said so, my lungs said so, and my heart said so.  Surely all of those signals couldn't be wrong....or could they.

I believe that most of us have the ability to push beyond what is comfortable.  We are programmed to think our limits are far below what we are actually capable of, and that mental toughness can push us to new levels of athletic accomplishment.

Focus.

So, is there a little Lance in you?

[chattyfeet]

I have had MANY moments like you just described in my running life!  I said to my running partner one day as we were also struggling up the Bay Bridge...my legs are killing me..my breathing is SO laboured right now, and ALL I WANT TO DO IS STOP AND WALK.  But I didn't.  I just kept telling myself that "i can do this".  And I mentioned to my running partner that the main difference between those of us who "stop and walk" and those of us who push on is that we TELL ourselves we can do it and we believe it!!! (and I'm not talking here about those runners who employ a walk/run strategy..obviously that is planned...and a diffferent situation altogether.  I'm talking of those who kind of have to "give in" so to speak when they are tired and walk instead of run)

Now, having said that...I tackled my first marathon in Ottawa and it was REALLY hot....I mean extremely HOT!  And I had to stop at the 30k mark and walk....and then I ran/walked most of the last 10k.  So why couldn't I "talk" myself out of stopping that day????  hmmm...perhaps there are just some times where even the "Lance Armstrongs" can't empower themselves!!!

[Sandy]

Is it can't or don't want to.

[Kate]

Interesting comment, Sandy.  I agree with it 100%

I also think that when it comes to running ... or any sport or circumstance ... it all comes down to mind over matter.  "If you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right."

[chattyfeet]

well, come to think of it...when I finally "caved in" and stopped running at that 30k mark, I remember thinking "I simply do not WANT to run anymore"...but WHY didn't I want to?  Because it hurt so much?  Because I hadn't trained enough?  Because I hadn't learned how to run in the heat??  Because I hadn't discovered sodium tablets yet???  lol...I'll never know.  but a few minutes later I convinced myself I could run some more...and I did.  But yes, I simply didn't want to kill myself anymore!

[The Moose1]

Ahhh, can't or won't.  I love that question.  The test I try (when I'm thinking semi-rationally) is this, "I know I can't fly, can I do this?"  (See kids, occasionally you learn something in college that you can use in real life.)

It usually brings a little honesty to the argument, and casts a realistic light on whether I really can't or just don't want to.

[WendyM]

An interesting topic and one I have thought alot about lately.
Usually before a race I have a finish time in mind. It doesn't matter what the conditions are, what the course is like, how I am feeling, etc. I expect myself to achieve that goal time.  Not smart I know (Sandy and Jeff have been telling me this for months but it takes a while for things to sink in with me).
During the race, especially during the run portion, I have a difficult time telling myself to push harder, dig deeper, be tough.  I usually wimp out and run slower than I would like.  In my mind (between races) I am faster than I have shown to be.  The question is...How do I make myself tougher, how do I tell that negative voice in my head to SHUT UP??

[Sandy]

I don't pretend to have the answer but I think you have to look at our professional athletes to get a glimpse.  A lot of people don't like Lance because of his cocky attitude, some didn't appreciate Peter Reid's (Ironman) reclusive style of training, in fact it cost him his marriage.  Some questioned Simon Whitefields abilities at the last Olympics in only bringing home Silver (he is getting old after all).  Having done races from 5k to 100 miles, Ironman, and adventure racing my personal opinion is that we all have our own ability to suffer.  I can suffer on my feet for 100 miles but don't ask me to run as fast as I can for 5k because I don't like that kind of suffering, I see no pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.  Peter Reid retired from Ironman because he stated he didn't want to suffer that much anymore.  In his last event he placed an uninspired 3rd, and watching his face you knew that he knew what it took to take him from 3rd to 1st and he did not want to go there physically.  I would argue that I saw the same thing on Simon's face in the last Olympics.  I saw him win gold in Sydney(I think I still have it on tape) and he stated he knew he could hold his breath for 500m.  In Beijing if you saw his face when he was passed it said "go ahead, you deserve gold, I'm happy with silver".  Lance.....how can he be at the top of his game and not believe he deserves to be there?  There has to be an element of cocky in a winners personality or you wouldn't have the drive to win.  How many of us go into an event already tabulating our excuses as to why we won't hit our goals, even if just in our minds.  Sometimes it's just the doubt of having tried and tried and not being successful, after all the definition of insanity is repeating the same behaviour expecting a different out come.  There are many experts who study the aspect of the brain and running.  The basis for their theories is that we are constantly calculating how far, how fast and based on previous experience what the outcome will be.  That is why you may be faltering in the middle of a race or on interval 3 out of 4 but when you see that finish line you pick up speed and get er done.  The trick here is in the training.  Do some sort of race pace training to train your brain that you can do it so you will believe it on a conscience level as well as sub conscience level.  Your other option is to compete in only those events, at speeds or in conditions that don't challenge your mind and body...how boring would that be.

That's my $1.50 worth and oh btw if you've been watching the tour and seeing Lance's interviews not only does he believe he will win, barring a crash or major mechanical, he will win.  He has me convinced. 

[The Moose1]

The question is...How do I make myself tougher, how do I tell that negative voice in my head to SHUT UP??

Sometimes I find it helpful to stop thinking altogether.  Just focus on something up the road, check my form and go.  Head up, chest out, kick the heels up, keep your arms low, this isn't so bad.....(You know, until you actually think that last part anyway.)

In my last quarter-century of racing, I've developed a lot of tricks to go faster, some days I don't need them, and somedays none of them work at all.  I guess that's why some people can achieve at a high level every event, and some are one hit wonders.

Mike