OUT OF
THE BOX
By Norrie Williamson
SUCCESS BEGINS WITH D
Discussions with runners normally focus on a specific ‘ D word ,’ as in “ What Distance did you do this week ?” But while there is no question that successful running is all about D-words , that particular D is the last in a long line of D ’ s that should dominate your planning and implementation .
Images : Jetline Action Photo & Fotolia
Successful runners will frequently commence with Dreams , which are the seeds of goals , and goals give Direction , Desire and Determination . Dreaming about breaking 60 minutes for 10km , or three hours for a marathon ; securing a Sainsbury Medal at Two Oceans , or a Bill Rowan in the Comrades ; representing your province , competing in the World Masters , making the Commonwealth Games team , or going to the Tokyo Olympics … no matter the level , each goal commences as a dream .
That said , dreams tend to be a stretch above your current ability , but the mind is incapable of differentiating between vision and reality , and with sufficient vision comes the ability to change the vision into a goal , and then into reality . Dreaming is therefore the first in a litany of D ’ s that push and pull us to new performance :
• Dreams become Desires – these provide the craving that will see us search , investigate and learn more about how to achieve that goal .
• That gives us Direction , along with Determination , which are the catalysts for belief that we can achieve the goal , and keep us focused on the Dream .
• The greater the Determination and Desire , the greater we realise the need for Discipline , even when things don ’ t go to plan , because getting side-tracked to different , possibly easier options , is the biggest destroyer of Dreams .
When multiple World and Olympic Champion , Usain Bolt , was in Johannesburg in January , he was asked what it would take to repeat or exceed his records . Without hesitating , he answered that it would revolve around staying focused on the singular goal , even when things go wrong , having a strong supportive back-up team , and consistency and commitment . He could just as easily have summed it up with Direction , Desire , Dedication and Discipline . These are the founding attributes of achieving any Dream .
POWER OF THE MIND
Now consider where that quintet of D ’ s originate . They are not found in the weight , height , stride , lung capacity , flexibility , strength or natural speed of a runner , they are born and cultivated in the mind ! Running success is not born in the body , it is born and sustained in the mind – and the longer the race , the greater the impact of mental determination . Sprinting involves overcoming extremely intense pain , primarily in the chest , but the race is only nine to 43 seconds at elite level . There isn ’ t that much time to think ! However , as the distance increases , so the pain intensity reduces , but the time available to talk yourself ‘ out of the pain ’ increases .
From the very first steps of long races , we will frequently find ourselves making excuses as to why we cannot be expected to run to our best . This happens because we have not worked hard enough on our Desire and Determination in the build-up to starting the race . When Desire , Determination and Discipline ( in pacing ) dominate , the questions are usually easily answered and short-lived .
Even if we commence without that doubt , around two-thirds of the way in any distance we usually start to question our ability to continue . This is why the third lap of a mile is the slowest , or ‘ the wall ’ comes at 30 to 35km in a marathon . While it can be perceived as negative , it is also a positive sign . It ’ s a clear indication that we are pushing our body towards a limit , and a sign that something special is possible . It is easy to quit , but Desire and Determination are the most powerful antidotes to that negative questioning .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Norrie has represented Scotland , Great Britain and later his adopted South Africa in ultra-distance running and triathlon . He is an IAAF-accredited coach and course measurer , has authored two books on running , and counts 21 Comrades medals amongst his more than 150 ultra-marathon medals . You can read more from him at www . coachnorrie . co . za .
The longer the event , the longer we tussle with the option of success and failure : Those debilitating ‘ wall ’ kilometres in a marathon tease the mind , tearing it between the need to stop the pain , and the need to succeed . In Two Oceans , it ’ s on the slow poison climb of Constantia Nek . In the Comrades Down Run , it ’ s on the M13 from the bottom of Cowies Hill to the crowd-encrusted crest of 45th Cutting . These are the kays where we ask ourselves , why am I doing this ? This has nothing to do with the amount of distance covered in training . The outcome of the questioning in all these scenarios , from 800m to 100 miles , is down to the D ’ s underpinning your running : The Dream , Desire , Determination , and Deep-seated Desire to Dominate !
TIME TO ACHIEVE
As we enter SA ’ s traditional “ ultra season ,” do not get caught up solely in Distance . That ’ s only one small portion of your potential success . The real Determinate of your success lies in the Dreams in your mind , and your mind has to accept the reality of your ability before it becomes physically possible . Work on the Dreams , Desire , Direction , Determination and Discipline , go steady with the Distance , and avoid Distraction – you will be amazed at what you can achieve .
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