“I can accept failure; everybody fails at something. I cannot accept not trying” Michael Jordan 

I was sick two days out from this race. An upper respiratory tract-type infection had me feeling lethargic and dehydrated. In the past, I would have used this as an easy out to quit – I am the guy who signed up for three half marathons two years ago – The golden gate half, the Berkeley half, and the Kaizer half only to pull out for some random reasons – so this race was all about showing up. 

 

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up” Brenee Brown 

I have a new approach and mindset going into this race. It’s not about a PR – this race is simply a part of my regular training week, so in reality, it is a training run – the real achievement is showing up this time. My exercise is about the journey and the experience – PRs are great – and I would have an excellent mind to remember this each time I run. The benefit of being sick going into the run was lowered expectations, more relaxation time leading up to the race, and overall better prep building up to the race. I ate better, three meals a day, as usual, and no random foods like ice cream or candies, which I’ve had in the past. I kept it simple, and that made all the difference.   

 

My approach this time around is much different as I now have a strength and run coach helping me. My weight training has been the most consistent ever – my numbers are as good as ever – while I’m also progressing in my running despite not having a PR this time out – I will bounce back. I am much less stressed now that I have a clear run and weights plan and my coaches support me. My priority for the first half of the year is running while increasing my strength, evidenced by my recent numbers; my longest continuous run, 14 mi, squat 370, bench 215, and deadlift 474×2.

 

Given that I was feeling sick and likely to underperform, my game plan was simple:

Run negative splits meaning run the second half of the race faster than the first, pick off people strategically as the race progresses, and complete the race – nothing is guaranteed.  As is clear from my mile times, the second half I ran in the second half every mile time was faster,  and I picked off many people toward the end. My overall time was around my usual speed and was as good as expected, given the situation.  

 

Two days before the race, I could feel my throat drying up, and my initial reaction was to pull out. I knew this was a half measure and taking the easy way out. I decided to see how my shakeout 4-mile run the day before went and how I felt the morning. I decided to focus on showing up. I did this, and I am so glad I did. The confidence I gained from not giving into my inner critic and sticking to my goal was uplifting, and it has given me the confidence to compete again moving forward.

 

 

 

I realize the real benefit of having a long-term plan – I know where I hope to peak and when I can go easier or have lower expectations – I have a clear path for my training. The value in this makes the process so much more straightforward. A clear plan and regular support make working toward challenging goals exponentially easier. I would not be doing as well as I am were it not for the support I have. I sometimes wanted to avoid training, overtrain, or follow my random ego-driven plan. My coaches have kept me accountable, guided me to my long-term goals, and encouraged me to be my best.

A goal any of us set is going to be a challenge no matter how we approach it – if it were not a challenge, it would not be a worthy goal – but seeking support, guidance, and help makes it more achievable and rewarding. Many of us can be better regarding our health, and we often want to be better, but we don’t know which is entirely natural and human. Strength in numbers is true of any goal, along with “it takes a village to raise a child” we are all young in this game of health, and the more support we can get for whatever health goals we have, the better we can be.

 

 

 

I am excited about my next race in 3 weeks for a few reasons but mostly because I know I will be able to meet it with my best effort due to the support, planning, and hard work that I am lucky enough to have been able to bring together for this next run. Anyone struggling with improving their health knows that it does not have to be set back after a setback or a constant feeling of failure and frustration. Better health is possible with the proper support, planning, and hard work.

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Equipment: 

Shorts – the skin-tight pocket holds my phone perfectly throughout a run. 

Shoes – The bounce and comfort of the alphafly’s, along with so many top pros using them, makes them my favorite for race day.      

Watch – I can track my runs effectively and efficiently while also linking these to Strava – it has a lot of extra stats. 

Headphones – I can run and comfortably keep the over-ear headphones on throughout any run. 

Strava – The only running app I have used, and it’s excellent, so easy to use, and worth the yearly fee.