Panda rambling, Clock Shock

[windwalker]

There comes a time in everyone's training that you have to stop tracking the exact distance and time. I have just got into that zone myself. For several months now I have been clocking every training walk for exact time and distance, concerned with trying to do each workout faster than the last. Then I hit a flat spot and it ruins the training walk for me. I can go out on a beautiful day, have an awesome workout and feel on top of the world, then look at the watch and see that it was a minute slower than I wanted and it just spoils what could have been an awesome experience.

So for a while I'll be doing a few workouts a week where I just go and explore new routes and enjoy the moments. In the past this has done the job for getting me over flat spots and getting the love back into my training.

Anyone else felt this way?

Dave

 

[dragitoff]

I go through spurts like that. Sometimes I'll beat myself up over a poor time, which happens alot on new routes, and then other times, I'm like whatever. lol.

I have to remind myself this is more about my overall health than trying to be a world-class athlete. I have to remind DW of that often. She gets really frustrated if her 5k time isn't a certain number or better. She gets downright ill about it to be honest.

 

[John VN]

I agree with your thoughts but not so for me.

I go through spurts like that. Sometimes I'll beat myself up over a poor time, which happens alot on new routes, and then other times, I'm like whatever. lol.

I have to remind myself this is more about my overall health than trying to be a world-class athlete. I have to remind DW of that often. She gets really frustrated if her 5k time isn't a certain number or better. She gets downright ill about it to be honest.

My bolding.

I think many people feel down about their times/pace because they are, to some extent, comparing themselves to professionals and expect constant improvement.

I am always checking heart-rate/breathing/muscle feeling with speed/distance gone and comparing the results to the effort I perceive that I am expending. After MANY years of bicycling and 1 1/2 years of walking I have a very good understanding and an acceptance of what is occurring at any given moment. I do this checking whether I am just out to be out or out to improve myself.

Taking a break from tracking is not something I would feel comfortable doing. Why bother even going out if I will not know what my efforts achieved.

 

[windwalker]

I didn't even wear my watch this morning when I went out for my group training walk. A brother walker had his garmin so I was able to find out the time and pace results but during the actual training I had no idea, just went by feel. Turned out to be awesome.

Dave

 

[dragitoff]

I agree with your thoughts but not so for me.



My bolding.

I think many people feel down about their times/pace because they are, to some extent, comparing themselves to professionals and expect constant improvement.

I am always checking heart-rate/breathing/muscle feeling with speed/distance gone and comparing the results to the effort I perceive that I am expending. After MANY years of bicycling and 1 1/2 years of walking I have a very good understanding and an acceptance of what is occurring at any given moment. I do this checking whether I am just out to be out or out to improve myself.

Taking a break from tracking is not something I would feel comfortable doing. Why bother even going out if I will not know what my efforts achieved.

I can't see myself ever not being concerned with the results. I do; however, try to check myself on getting obsessed with it or being angry or disappointed if my time is off a little. Now, if I'm off 3 or 4 minutes or something and there was no obvious, valid reason, it may be a different story. I'm super competitive, so I think that alone drives me to improve, but I've honestly had to pray for God to help me keep myself in check. Otherwise, I'd probaby seriously injure myself trying to do too much, too fast.

 

[rubato]

I spent my first year running against the clock, and then, moving up and running against my Garmin. One day, the Garmin was dead, so I decided I'd just do a route that I knew the distance of, and I headed out. It was one of my best runs ever. It's so nice to just focus on the road, the breathing, listen to some good tunes, and not worry. Of course, I couldn't do that very often, or I'd get slower, but it's a nice break every once in awhile.

I also do not compare myself to others, faster or slower. I only compare myself to my better self. It helps me keep it all in perspective.

 

[John VN]

I can't see myself ever not being concerned with the results. I do; however, try to check myself on getting obsessed with it or being angry or disappointed if my time is off a little. Now, if I'm off 3 or 4 minutes or something and there was no obvious, valid reason, it may be a different story. I'm super competitive, so I think that alone drives me to improve, but I've honestly had to pray for God to help me keep myself in check. Otherwise, I'd probaby seriously injure myself trying to do too much, too fast.

If things aren't going well for me at some point in time I don't pray, I just have a conversation with me, myself and I. Works every time no matter what the issue is in life. For some, my conversations might not make sense or be rational but one thing for sure, we're all on the same page and in the end we always agree.

 

[fashionista311]

When training for my first marathon - I used to try and take every run as fast as I could.

When I ended up injured and a rather-humbling time....I started to do a lot more research and how to do better this time around. Alot of what I read states the importance of slowing down, and lots of easy, slow miles - with 1 speed workout a week. So that's what I've been doing this training cycle...and hopefully I'll end up with a nice big PR in Nov!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I got home from the DL half marathon last month and I didn't unpack my Garmin. I know that it's cheerfully sitting in a certain pouch in my carry-on bag, packed away in the garage, and I've decided to let it stay there for awhile.

I ran through my first pregnancy - I got slower and slower, but I kept going and kept trying to push myself. And it stressed the crap out of me. I hated seeing my 10K time get slower and slower as the months went on. I ran the Goofy at 12 weeks pregnant and went from the peak of fitness at that point, to a 3:48 half marathon at 35 weeks pregnant. It made me sick, even though I knew there was a good reason for it.

I'm pregnant again and I've decided that I'm still going to run, but the Garmin is staying off. I'm running when it's enjoyable, walking when it feels right, and strolling with the dogs and the toddler when that is the most that I want to do. I'm going to keep doing 5K's and 10K's, but the Garmin is still staying at home.

I know that this is a different situation from most, but I definitely know the meaning of "clock shock" and I've decided that I'm done with it, for now. There's still plenty of time to train for Goofy 2014.

 

[windwalker]

Sarah, that was wonderful. You are indeed a warrior princess.

I have always had a belief that each of us has a part deep inside that is not yet tamed and domesticated. We all have a wildness that dates from the days we had to be strong to survive. I think that when we do let go that we can become more intuned with that wild side. That elusive runner's high, when we can effotlessly cover ground is actually letting that wild strength have it's way.

I tend to forget that sometimes when I become a slave to the watch instead of just letting my mind soar and my body respond to the joy of motion.

Dave