Discipline

So I'm on 'streak day #16' which conflicts with the 'rest day' suggestion in my training program.

I'm still torn about the whole streak thing. On one hand I think it's a fun thing to shoot for, could be a great motivator to keep going and one of those 'anything that keeps ya running' things.

You hear about people who've been on run streaks for years and years and they seemingly remain injury free.

You read about and admire the Dean K guys who run 50 marathons in 50 days or clear across the country.

Did Forrest Gump ever stop to take a rest day during his streak?  can't be sure but I think not.

one of my favorite movies by the way

On the other hand some (myself included) worry about if a streak will eventually set you back. Will you push too hard? Go too far? Suffer burn-out, become obsessed with "not breaking the streak" to the point of being stubbornly stupid?

I'm not sure. I'm taking this one day at a time. I didn't start this to prove anything - I've just been looking forward and needing my daily run a lot lately - so I've done it.  Part of it is fueled by a small panic of the indulgent holidays (and a few pounds that showed up on the scale) another part of it is fueled by thinking about Spring races and the last part is fuel to keep mentally happy.

Anyway, back to the discipline thing.

a little dramatic but effective

It occurred to me during my 'rest' day slowed-down jog/run this morning that 90 pounds ago it used to take an incredible amount of discipline for me to just get to the gym and then just push myself to run at a 4.2 on the treadmill for a bit.  Now, it takes a tremendous amount of discipline to keep the treadmill between a 4.5 and 5.0 for only only 20 minutes to keep myself at a "rest pace."  How it has all changed!!

Discipline is a tricky thing and true discipline requires balance.

The 'disciplined' dieter who restricts calories to the point of starvation is not showing true discipline… he begins to cross the line into obsession which negates the point of having discipline in the first place.

I guess the same holds true with running. Where does discipline start to cross the line into obsession -and is there ever too much of a good thing?

The thing I have learned about discipline is this - it's necessary for driving yourself forward towards your goals but it is also very, very addictive. With discipline comes power over yourself and control. If you've ever heard some anorexics speak, they'll say the power over their food was the only thing they could control - it could begin as a good feeling of pride for having 'such discipline' and then cross that line.

I take pride in the discipline that I've developed. No doubt.

And I like to think I have discipline because I really am trying to approach this thing with a day-by-day, not afraid to break the streak, approach. But maybe I'm just fooling myself?

In any case. I did keep my pace to around a 13 min. mile for my 1.5 rest day run - and that took mucho discipline because I wanted to RUN.

I'm heading to Atlantic City tonight and I'll be required to have some food/alcohol/gambling discipline… or maybe I'll loosen up just a bit. ;)

Thoughts?

Do you have discipline? Do you grapple with extremes? Any further thoughts on running streaks. Where are other places in your life that you work at being disciplined?

XO
Jen

Happy New Year 2012! Running streak day 1

Happy New Year friends!

There once was a time that New Year's eve meant drinking until i couldn't see.

It doesn't mean that anymore.  But don't think we didn't try.

We went to our friend's house for some appetizers and drinks but by 11PM we were calling it a night. Hubby wasn't feeling great and we figured we'd head home before the revelers hit the road.

at least we looked the part until 10:30 PM

Awesome friends and family

Even so, we still had a great time. New Years now means celebrating friends and family and we got to do that.

someone cut that crazy kid off 

It's actually kinda nice waking up refreshed and non-hung over to be honest.

I'm gearing up to do a mile run - I will be partaking in I <3 To Run - (at least) one mile a day running streak:

Only gonna do a mile today since technically yesterday and today were to be "rest days" and yesterday I ran 2 miles (after my 10 mile long run) and today I'm a little achey - so gonna go a slow mile and just enjoy the nice weather and the first day of 2012.

Ironically I'm on a 13 day run streak without even noticing it. Was looking over my running log yesterday and realized that everyday I've gone out and did some kind of running. It's funny how that happens.

Are you doing a running challenge this year?

What is your opinion about run streaks? 

Part of me thinks it's a cool challenge the other thinks you've gotta be careful that you don't get so wrapped up in the streak that you don't listen to your body if it truly needs a rest.

XO

Jen