Last week, I discussed marathon training and the importance of embracing this concept from Alexi Pappas:
When you’re chasing a big goal, you’re supposed to feel good a third of the time, okay a third of the time, and crappy a third of the time…and if the ratio is roughly in that range, then you’re doing fine.”
Alexi Pappas
This past week, I have been in the “okay” stage, which is better than where I was a week ago.
During my weekly long run, I realized it benefited me both in training and in life.
My goal for training was to run 32 kms (20 miles), and I have not been able to pass the 30km point during these few months. Training is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, and no matter where I was in the process, I couldn’t break that 30km barrier. If you are not a runner, this seems like a lot (and it is), but the marathon is 42km, so it is essential I get these runs in to prepare for the race.
But 30 kms was not happening. I couldn’t get over that hump.
About 26 kms into my run, I realized that the last marathon I ran when I was 30 years old (18 years ago!), I had a serious ankle injury and had to pull out of the race.
At 30 kilometers.
Now I get it.
And once I figured it out, I had to get past that point.
And I did.
It was tough, but I did it.
What did I learn?
Sometimes, the barriers we have, personally or professionally, are ones that are buried deep down and are limitations we set on ourselves. To overcome them, we must identify them and face our own internal realities.
As an administrator, I always said this to my staff: I can’t fix a problem I don’t know exists.
It was a call for them to identify and bring to my attention any issues or barriers holding us back as a school community. Only when they were identified could we find a solution to move forward.
This week, I brought my own problem to my attention and fixed it.
Another lesson I learned from the solitude of running.
