Peter Fletcher

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What’s your tempo?

April 6, 2014 by Peter Fletcher

Kebede running in the Paris Marathon

Creating a personal best requires an intimate relationship with pain.

If you want to do a marathon you’ll need to walk, jog, or shuffle 42.195 kilometres. Whatever way you do it, once you’ve crossed the line you’re a marathon finisher. You’ve done it. But most people aren’t satisfied with just completing a marathon.

Once you’ve done your first you have a personal best (PB). The next is about breaking your PB.

So how do you run a faster marathon?

For most weekend runners the answer is to jog further and further and further. Jog 34 ks in training and you’re pretty much guaranteed to complete a marathon in a decent time. Do that often enough and you’ll set a PB.

There’s no doubt that doing long runs at a slow pace is important but other factors are equally so. There’s stride efficiency but there’s also this thing called tempo. 

Most good runners can run at a high tempo for a long period. This is done by improving the runner’s top speed – which is all about strength, flexibility and an efficient technique – and then learning to hold that top speed, or close to it, for longer and longer periods. The longer a runner can run at tempo the better.

But running at tempo isn’t easy. In fact it’s very hard. Not only must you have great technique but you also need to cultivate the ability to lean into the pain, to settle in to the new sensations of burning lungs and jelly legs or whatever it is that you go through during a period of peak performance.

During those moments the voices usually start. That voice that says, “Don’t hurt yourself,” or “Hey, just take it easy today. Do a hard workout tomorrow.” There’s a myriad of these little voices chirping away and each attempt to separate you from your physical experience. But they, too, are part of the peak experience. So, in just the same way as you become one with the pain, become one with the voices. Give them an opportunity to have their say. Don’t fight them but don’t engage with them. Just let them chat away, acknowledge them, then bring your focus back to the physical experience.

Bring it back to your breathing. Feel your breath flow in and out. Feel the tension in your forehead and the back of your neck. Relax your lips and your fingers. Relax the muscles in your face. Relax your toes. Focus on your technique, on your foot strike, on the drive from your arms. Soon, all that will be is your breath and your effort will become relaxed and not strained of forced. In that moment, there’s no struggle and no fear. Just breath and movement.

In these moments we begin to approach our peak. And it’s in these moments that we achieve longer, faster, stronger. Do that often enough and PBs will come your way.

Image: Vick the Viking on Flickr

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: pain, peak performance, running

Why do you train?

March 9, 2014 by Peter Fletcher

2 people running alongside a highway

We train to experience – not avoid – our breaking point. Image: Chris Hunkeler http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrishunkeler/8049103309/

I ran with Lee Baston and her group of long-distance running friends this morning.

A 4:57am message told me that Lee’s day was not going to plan – her alarm hadn’t gone off.

But some quick thinking and a few shortcuts had her back on track as she joined her group for a 32 km run from UWA to Mount Henry and back.

I joined the group as they crossed the halfway mark.

We sat on a comfortable 5:50/km pace as we crossed Mount Henry bridge and started the return leg of the run. There was plenty of chatter and it seemed the group was in good spirit.

Then, at the 28 km mark, Lee hit the wall.

Hard.

She stopped. “My feet are hot. They’re on fire,” she lamented.

I waited.

“You go, Pete. Don’t wait for me. Just go!” she ordered.

I ignored her.

Lee bent over and started to unlace her shoes. It’s an unusual thing for a runner to take their shoes off. That’s what you do after a run, not with 4 k’s to go.

“My feet are on fire,” she told me again as she started to walk, now bare feet.

Then, as if something a switch flicked inside her, she once again bent over. This time it was to pull on her runners. She muttered something I couldn’t make out as she tightened the laces. 

Then she started to run.

As we climbed the Narrows Bridge I offered Lee a date. Dates are superfood for athletes. They never go off and provide instant relief for a runner who’s running out of fuel.

Lee devoured one, then another, then another.

18 minutes later we crossed the finish line. Lee had run 32 k’s just as she’d planned.

 

It’s moments like these in training that define the athlete. You see, we train to experience – not avoid – our breaking point. For if we avoid pain and fear in training, we’re ill-equipped to handle what’s thrown at us when things don’t go to plan during the game.

But when we experience our breaking point fully we also experience what it feels like to overcome. We experience that pain, when transcended, becomes personal victory.

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: fear, Lee Baston, marathon, marathon training, pain

Working Through An Injury

March 16, 2011 by Peter Fletcher

A large branch broke off a fig tree near Jacob's Ladder

A large branch broke off a fig tree near Jacob's Ladder

It started last week. I can’t remember exactly when and I sure don’t know how or why, but my right shin started hurting. Friends are telling me it’s a shin splint.

I know for sure I had it on Friday morning. I woke at 4:30 to the usual aches and pains but when I tried to flex my right foot upwards the front of my shin hurt. As I was due to go to a REIWA breakfast that morning I thought I’d give the ladder a miss.

Next morning was the same. If anything the pain had intensified but I persisted for 15 laps and managed another 20 on Sunday.

Some people told me to rest. It’s the standard advice from well-meaning friends, physios and doctors. But I figured there are 24 hours in a day, 22 of which could be used to rest. I’m pressing on.

In the meantime I’m starting a new series of posts called Legends of the Ladder. They’ll focus on Jacob’s Ladder regulars who’ve done something special or noteworthy.

Finally, here are my latest lap times.

Tweet
DateLapsRunning totalTimeAveBestWeatherComments
Sat, 01/010
Sun, 02/011010Day I decided on 5000/365 challenge
Mon, 03/012030
Tues, 04/011747Red hot, nearly died.
Wed, 05/012067
Thu, 06/012087
Fri, 07/0120107
Sat, 08/011512251:58:573:27:903:10:54 (20)
Sun, 09/011013231:12:673:07:262:51:79 (3)
Mon, 10/01201521:06:583:20:933:07:80 (20)
Tue, 11/01201721:06:303:19:502:51:11 (20)Nice breeze near the top.Fastest descent at 58 secs. Drank every 5 laps.
Wed, 12/01201921:08:483:26:413:01:13 (13)Hot with a cooling breeze.Heavy traffic from lap 15.
Thu, 13/01202121:06:163:18:833:08:29 (20)One word. Hot!
Fri, 14/01202321:15:523:59:603:44:24 (5)Took it easy.
Sat, 15/011124325:46 (9)n/a2:40:09 (7)Hit lap button twice. Time shown is 9 laps.
Mon, 17/01202631:14:543:44:712:42:19 (20)Hot.Easy until lap 18.
Tue, 18/01202831:02:453:08:252:56:24 (11)Best time to date.
Wed, 19/01203031:18:084:20:483:48:48 (7)Felt drained from yesterday.
Thu, 20/01203231:07:393:22:992:42:54 (20)Hot last lap.
Fri, 21/01203431:13:383:40:912:44:51 (19)Plenty in the tank at the end.
Sat, 22/011035331:54:61 (9)3:32:733:19:96 (8)Easy. Time was for 9 laps.
Sun, 23/010Sleep in bliss
Mon, 24/01253781:21:593:16:762:57:44 (25)Cool arvo.Heavy traffic from lap 18.
Tue, 25/01 AM1539349:00:213:16:012:52:19 (7)Cool.
Tue, 25/01 PM1540849:52:703:19:512:55:47 (6)Very busy.
Wed, 26/01204281:13:283:40:433:12:94 (4)Bloody hot. Nearly killed me.Started late and regretted it thanks to the heat.
Thu, 27/01 AM154421:06:534:27:583:57:33 (6)HotFelt the effects of yesterday.
Thu, 27/01 PM544720:28:004:05:603:47:72 (4)HotAfter rock climbing
Fri, 28/01204671:15:55 (19)3:59:763:21:93 (3)Hot. Really hot!Time was for 19 laps.
Sat, 29/011548230:51:49 (10)3:05:142:44:01 (5)Slow first lap over 4:30 then got stuck into it with Mark.
Sun, 30/011549754:23:133:37:542:52:20 (13)Hot, humid. Cyclone on its way.Walked down first 10, long break at 10, then hard last 5.
Mon, 31/01 AM155121:00:084:00:553:31:01 (13)Very humid.Went easy, walled down.
Mon, 31/01 PM1352544:20:043:24:613:02:11 (6)Warm, cool breeze.Felt good.
Tue, 01/02 AM1554048:04:443:12:292:49:30 (6)
Tue, 01/02 PM1055034:09.763:24.972:51.36 (10)
Wed, 02/02205701:29:524:16.80
Thu, 03/02205901:11:553:47.133:18.75 (6)
Fri, 04/02 AM1560545:33.183:15.222:56.57 (13)
Fri, 04/02 PM1061539:03.593:54.353:25.92 (9)
Sat, 05/02256401:21:263:15.452:56.88 (23)
Sun, 06/020640000Grumpy I had the day off.
Mon, 07/02 PM1565547:04.013:21.772:57.74 (15)Did 15, timed 14.
Mon, 07/02 PM566014:55.552:59.312:46.99 (5)Chat and then a second lash.
Tue, 08/02206801:10.453:22.062:51.53 (17)Felt crook from lap 18.
Tue, 08/02568517:25.023:29.002:57.55 (5)
Wed, 09/02 AM106954:18.402:47.402:47.81Ave was for 9 laps
Wed, 09/02 PM1070535:32.413:33.242:48.43
Thu, 10/02 AM1572047:41.503:10.762:51.09Last 10 in under 30 mins.
Thu, 10/02 PM1073033:46.073:22.603:03.98 (7)
Fri, 11/02207501:12:273:37.363:02.63 (20)
Sat, 12/02207701:08:433:26.183:02.17
Sun, 13/0210780Quick but not timed.
Mon, 14/02208001:08:413:26.052:50.196:27 for first lap.
Tue, 15/02258251:25:063:24.262:58.88 (25)Hot and humid.
Wed, 16/02208451:02.523:08.632:50.15 (6)Hot. That's a PB
Thu, 17/021586049:57.773:18.852:54.31 (9)Feeling effects of yesterday's effort
Fri, 18/02208801:12.233:37.193:05.84 (17)Tired from boxing last night?
Sat, 19/02209001:06.573:20.882:53.31 (14)Very hot. Started late.
Sun, 20/0220920Not timed.
Mon, 21/02209401:12:023:47.482:48.69 (14)Time was for 19 laps. Very crusiy first 10. Too hot!
Tue, 22/02209601:03:123:09.632:27.2420 lap PB
Wed, 23/02209801:03:173:19.852:33.72Time was for 19 laps.
Thu, 24/021099048:15.612:52.842:29.37
Thu, 24/0210100028:48.482:52.842:29.37PB for 10 laps
Fri, 25/022010201:14:373:43.883:29.32Hot as bro!
Sat, 26/021510351:03.784:12.783:39.23Very hot and very humid.
Sat, 26/0251040---Ran out of memory on my watchLike I said hot!
Sun, 27/022010601:08:033:24.183:01.99 (18)
Mon, 28/022510851:33.493:45.173:24.44 (21)Hot!
Tue, 01/032011051:12:043:36.203:13.77 (7)
Wed, 02/032511301:23:323:20.482:37.99 (23)Jeff Jamieson turned up on lap 16. The heat was on.
Thu, 03/032011501:07:283:22.402:49.41 (20)
Fri, 04/032011701:04:303:13.532:46.57 (17)PB for 15 - 43:11
Sat, 05/032011901:14:593:44.962:27.24
Sun, 06/032012101:17:443:53.212:38.36 (20)Took photos for my blog.Cool change. Nice!
Mon, 07/032012301:05:223:16.142:34.96 (20)Coolish.
Mon, 07/03 (b)5123517:27.133:29.422:53.48 (5)A few extras after coffee.
Tue, 08/030Got to the ladder but had to turn go home for a...
Wed, 09/032512601:26:553:28.632:46.06 (25)
Thu, 10/032512851:27:313:30.062:50.00 (25)Still plenty left in the tank at the endHot.
Fri, 11/030Woke up with a sore right shin. Attended a REIWA breakfast.
Sat, 12/0315130047:42.94??Pressed watch twice by mistake. You do the maths!
Sun, 13/0315131552:33.883:30.252:46.69 (10)
Mon, 14/032513401:40:144:00.563:29.41Shin sore. Went easy.
Tue, 15/032013601:27:274:22.39Didn't feel great. Shin hurting. Had an Ibuprofen before.
Wed, 16/032013801:11:213:34.092:58.24 (10)Afternoon, ladder busy. Went easy.
Thu, 17/032014001:08:103:24.533:02.88 (9)
Fri, 18/032014201:04.433:14.162:43.38
Sat, 19/032014401:05.253:16.262:51.04 (20)
Sun, 20/032014601:03.433:11.172:38.98 (14)PB of 42:03 for last 15.
Mon, 21/032514851:48:104:19.613:35.24 (22)
Tue, 22/032515101:33:053:52.723:24.50PM workout
Wed, 23/032515351:23:093:19.592:56.25 (6)PM workout
Thu, 24/032515601:32:093:58.142:47.03 (20)AM workout
Fri, 25/032515851:39:363:59.043:48.22 (17)
Sat, 26/0310159537:46.303:46.632:51.58 (6)After boxing.
Sat, 26/0315161048:56.903:15.792:51.85 (11)Before boxing.
Sun, 27/032516351:22:533:18.952:48.20 (25)
Mon, 28/0301635Day off. Felt soooo good!
Tue, 29/032016551:04:233:13.162:50.02 (20)PM. Lots of traffic.
Wed, 30/032016751:03:303:10.522:30.93 (20)
Thu, 31/032016951:19:063:57.303:05.66 (19)
Fri, 01/042017151:04:043:12.202:38.16 (11)
Sat, 02/042017351:05:393:16.362:34.92 (19)
Sun, 03/0410174538:01.243:48.122:55.88 (10)
Mon, 04/043017751:38:563:17.893:00.53
Tue, 05/043018051:40:403:21.352:53.55 (8)
Wed, 06/043018351:51:153:42.522:58.22 (30)
Thu, 07/043018651:49.323:39.092:55.45 (29)
Fri, 08/042018851:11.043:33.242:51.43 (19)
Fri, 08/042019051:12.283:37.442:58.05 (6)
Sat, 09/043019351:48:423:37.403:10.65 (27)
Sun, 10/042019551:14:503:44:542:57.44 (20)
Mon, 11/0401955
Tue, 12/042019751:09:043:27.232:40.04 (20)
Wed, 13/042019951:04:203:13.012:36.94 (20)Lap 5 22:06, 10 36:06 Last 15 in 42:14, last 10 in 28:14
Thu, 14/043199814:29.594:49.864:11.24 (3) Wardrobe malfunction
Thu, 14/0417201551:08.323:00.482:32.85 (17)End lap 2 8:24.78, last 15 in 42:44.
Fri, 15/040Pulled my right calf muscle at boxing last night.
Sat, 16/043020452:40:105:20.344:18.01 (28)Calf tender, walked up and down 1 step at a time.
Sun, 17/042020651:38.394:55.994:12.91 (20)Calf still tender but a little better.
Mon, 18/042020851:49:455:29.284:17.20 (20)
Mon, 18/041521001:19:285:17.934:06.65 (5)
Tue, 19/042021201:49:055:27.284:24.10 (12)
Tue, 19/041521351:14:004:56.003:34.06 (7)
Wed, 20/042021551:41:105:03.533:32.95 (11)
Thu, 21/042021751:27:154:21.753:03.40 (12)
Fri, 22/042021951:31:504:35.512:25.02 (14)Had a dip with Mark.
Sat, 23/042022151:26:474:20.383:02.48 (14)
Sat, 23/0410222528:49:652:52.962:36.48 (10)Hot and humid
Sun, 24/042022451:23:314:10.552:52.74 (15)Hot and humidExercises from 16 on.
Mon, 25/042022651:04:273:13.392:58.31 (18
Tue, 26/045023152:54:183:29.172:53.05 (50)First 50 lap effort.
Wed, 27/0410232533:51.753:23.172:40.50 (10)
Wed, 27/0410233545:31.784:33.174:08.10 (10)
Thu, 28/0420235555:31.412:46.572:28.80 (20)
Fri, 29/042023751:21.444:32.483:41.51 (20)
Sat, 30/043024051:47:273:34.902:59.85 (12)
Sun, 01/052024251:20.404:02.023:04.36 (6)
Mon, 02/051024451:16.243:49.203:01.37 (5)
Tue, 03/052024651:30:562:47.74 (20)
Wed, 04/052024851:18.28
Thu, 05/0502485
Fri, 06/052025051:24:252:31.47 (12)
Sat, 07/052025251:02:242:34.12 (20)
Sun, 08/052025451:23:232:37.47 (20)
Mon, 09/0552550Trained soccer ladies
Tue, 10/053525851:50:38
Wed, 11/052026051:31.24
Wed, 11/0510261536:21.712:33.65 (10)
Fri, 13/052526401:25:24
Sat, 14/052526651:40:25
Sun, 15/052526901:28:59
Mon, 16/05262716
Tue, 17/050Rain and traffic stopped me.
Wed, 18/053427501:54:02
Thu, 19/052527751:25:05
Fri, 20/0510278546:18.51
Fri, 20/0520280557:19.06Another sub-hour 20.
Sat, 21/052028251:12:35
Sun, 22/05AREC
Mon, 23/05AREC
Tue, 24/05REBC
Wed, 25/05Day off
Thu, 26/0515284047:11.962:39.24 (15)
Fri, 27/0520286059:17.252:23.16Another sub-hour 20.
Sat, 28/052028801:32:52
Sun, 29/056Warm up for Central Park
Sun, 29/0514290041:59:12After Central Park
Mon, 30/052029201:07:50
Tue, 31/052029401:10:153:30.792:37.95 (9)
Wed, 01/062029601:07:033:21.172:42.95
Thu, 02/06Man flu
Fri, 03/06Man flu
Sat, 04/063029901:54:113:48.383:18.60
Sun, 05/062530151:12:493:16.382:34.32
Mon, 06/06203035Un-timed. Left watch at home.
Tue, 07/06Day off
Wed, 08/062530601:12:262:53.862:28.35Bloody fair effort.
Thu, 09/06Day off
Fri, 10/0623062Un-timed warmup.
Fri, 10/063530971:36:102:44.882:38.5010 - 27.44
15 - 41:36
20 - 55:12
25 - 1:08:49
30 - 1:22:22
Sat, 11/062331201:36:044:10.613:38.45 (15)
Sun, 12/062031401:16:153:48.752:36.73 (17)
Mon, 13/062031601:02:583:08.932:26.73 (11)
Tue, 14/062031801:03:503:11.532:32.58 (8)
Wed, 15/060
Thu, 16/062032001:19:303:58.513:34.70 (14)
Fri, 17/060
Sat, 18/062032201:07:123:21.612:45.42 (19)
Sat, 18/065322513:30.482:42.092:24.90 (5)
Sun, 19/062032451:19:523:59.643:50.83 (6)
Mon, 20/0620326559:34.842:58.742:32.98 (18)
Tue, 21/062032851:05:113:15.582:37.06 (11)
Wed, 22/060
Thu, 23/062033051:07:113:11.982:40.08 (18)
Fri, 24/0616332148:12.153:00.752:35.28 (10)Lightning started, so I left.
Sat, 25/0615333654:41:133:25.072:36.15 (15)
Sat, 25/0693345Untimed
Sun, 26/062033651:00:133:00.69
Mon, 27/062033851:03:26
Mon, 27/0633388Untimed
Tue, 28/0617340554:33.233:12.542:28.75 (17)
Wed, 29/062034251:14:253:43.293:18.79 (20)
Thu, 30/062034451:26:124:18.613:10.29 (3)
Fri, 01/0710345534:45.943:28.592:27.66 (8)
Sat, 02/071349:23.613:47.972:47.63 (13)
Sat, 02/0712348036:23.233:01.932:30.63 (12)
Sun, 03/072035001:16:093:48.49
Mon, 04/072035201:08:593:26.982:57.45
Tue, 05/070Busselton
Wed, 06/070Busselton
Thu, 07/072035401:06:553:20:772:48:29
Fri, 08/072035601:13:253:40.292:34:34
Sat, 09/072035801:08.563:26.832:32.95
Sun, 10/072036001:05:363:16.842:45.53
Mon, 11/0720362058:23:31Walked down 1 step at a time. First time under 1hr doing it this way.
Mon, 11/0783628Untimed. Training with the Carlisle soccer girls.
Tue, 12/0717364554:14:053:11.412:39.57
Wed, 13/072036651:24:384:13.943:45.05
Thu, 14/0710367535:47.473:34.742:35.79 (10)
Fri, 15/070
Sat, 16/072236971:14:103:22.293:05.74
Sat, 16/0783705Untimed
Sun, 17/072537301:29:263:34.673:01.98
Mon, 18/072037501:29:174:27.89
Tue, 19/072037701:09:27
Wed, 20/070
Thu, 21/072037901:03.093:09.452:39.46 (19)
Fri, 22/072038101:26:054:18.283:22.24
Fri, 22/0710382028:25.902:50.592:30.66 (10)
Sat, 23/07253845
Sat, 23/074038852:34:143:51.373:29.20 (28)
Sun, 24/07San Francisco
Mon, 25/07San Francisco
Tue, 26/07San Francisco
Wed, 27/07San Francisco
Thu, 28/07San Francisco
Fri, 29/07San Francisco
Sat, 30/07San Francisco
Sun, 31/0710389530:13.773:01.372:30.13 (10)
Mon, 01/08203915Untimed
Tue, 02/08Bali
Wed, 03/08Bali
Thu, 04/08Bali
Fri, 05/08Bali
Sat, 06/08Bali
Sun, 07/08Bali
Mon, 08/08Bali
Tue, 09/082039351:21:504:05.533:44.46 (6)
Wed, 10/08201:15:323:46.613:20.33 (20)
Thu, 11/082056:57.902:50.892:21.51 (4)
Fri, 12/08Busselton
Sat, 13/082039551:08:14
Sun, 14/082539801:25:22
Mon, 15/082040001:05:28
Tue, 16/082040201:05:18
Wed, 17/0820404057:31:35
Thu, 18/082040601:20:29
Fri, 19/082040801:05:57
Sat, 20/082041001:17:03
Sun, 21/082541251:24:30
Mon, 22/080
Tue, 23/080
Wed, 24/080
Thu, 25/083541601:52:48
Fri, 26/082541851:26:10
Sat, 27/082542101:24:51
Sun, 28/08
Mon, 29/083042401:35:273:10.912:47.11 (28)
Tue, 30/082542651:30:553:38.213:02.12 (9)
Wed, 31/082542901:20:553:14.232:38.79 (8)
Thu, 01/09Rained out.
Fri, 02/09254315Untimed
Sat, 03/092043351:01:383:04.902:42.08 (11)
Sun, 04/0915435051:14.193:24.942:21.32 (15)
Mon, 05/092043701:00:333:01.682:31.62 (11)
Tue, 06/0920439059:38.632:58.932:28.70 (19)
Wed, 07/0904390
Thu, 08/092044101:10:083:30.422:29.29 (20)
Fri, 09/0920443055:36.532:46.822:31.19 (20)1st 2 in 7:44.57, 1st 10 in 29:09.00
Sat, 10/092044501:24:28
Sun, 11/0910446037:08.73
Mon, 12/092044801:12:59
Tue, 13/092045001:11:40
Wed, 14/09Busselton
Thu, 15/0910451029:55.70
Fri, 16/092045301:12:42
Sat, 17/092045501:08:04
Sun, 18/0904550
Mon, 19/092045701:00:11
Tue, 20/092045901:09:29
Wed, 21/09Brisbane
Thu, 22/09Brisbane
Fri, 23/09Brisbane
Sat, 24/09Slack
Sun, 25/0920461059:28:69
Mon, 26/092046301:19:32
Tue, 27/0919+1465057:22.56
Wed, 28/09Kalgoorlie
Thu, 29/090
Fri, 30/0920467059:41.38
Sat, 01/102046901:05:08
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Filed Under: Jacob's Ladder, Personal Tagged With: injuries, Jacob's Ladder, pain, postaday2011

Leaning Into The Pain

January 28, 2011 by Peter Fletcher

A couple kissing

There’s a point on Jacob’s Ladder where the pain in my legs feels sharp and red and hot. It always happens on the first lap, before I’ve broken a sweat and way before I’m up to full speed. It happens again on lap 6 and sometimes on 16.

It’s a pain that asks why and raises doubts. Why are you doing this? Are you sure you’re not going to give yourself an injury? Have the day off. There’s always tomorrow. The pain and the doubts are like a bickering husband and wife, one needling, the other nagging.

When I’m going hard the needling and nagging stop. Gone is the anxiety and the doubt. All that’s left are the steps and the heavy, rhythmic breathing; and the pain. It’s still there but it no longer hurts. It’s not frightening or scary and it’s there with no doubt.

It simply exists. As I lean into the pain the fear goes away. In its place is an intimacy, where the sweating and the breathing and the burning become one.

It’s at that point I feel invincible and courageous, as if nothing and no-one could defeat me.

Perhaps it’s passing through the wall that runners experience. Perhaps it’s endorphins and chemicals.

But for me it’s something more, like when resistance dissolves and two people lean in for their first kiss. When the mind and the voices stop, when the body and the moment and the experience is all that there is.

And it all happens when I lean into the pain.

Photo credit:: DavidMartynHunt on Flickr

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Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: 5000 laps, endorphins, Jacob's Ladder, pain

About Peter

Speaker, trainer and coach. I write about living, loving and working better. Love a challenge. More...

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