Motivational Disorder

I felt it as soon as I got up this morning: I was suffering from an acute case of Motivational Disorder, in its deadliest form!
'Why should I go for a run? What's the point?' I wondered.
So I put my fingers in ears and shouted: 'Lalalalalala, I can't hear you, I can't hear you!' and quickly put on my running gear.

Once faced with this 'fait accomplit' my motivation grudgingly agreed to run a ten miler. But since its completely unreliable I decided not to take my mobile phone with me. A wise decision it turned out, because after only five minutes it started to whine: 'It's hard going today! I really think ten miles is too much. Perhaps you could make it a three miler? Or even better: why not just call hubby to come and get you?!'

Luckily my motivation is more crooked than Don Corleone, and very easy to bribe with the promise of a cup of coffee. And so I managed the five miles to the pancake house in Westendorp. Once there my motivation and I were finally in sync: we both wanted to go home. It still didn't feel easy, but we knew why we were doing it: to get home.

And when I finally collapsed on our couch, I felt the rewards surge through my body: that lovely feeling of a run completed, of a goal accomplished. And above all: the lovely knowledge I could have a Big Mac that evening without facing any consequences.

On the days when it seems unthinkable to go out for a run, I alway do the unthinkable.
Because I know: it's even more unthinkable nót to go out for my run.

Motivational Disorder

Body and mind and running

Descartes considered body and mind two separate entities, but modern philosophers agree that there is no separation between the two. They are very much connected.

Your body influences your feelings, and your feelings influence your body. This principle is used succesfully in laughing therapy. By starting to laugh, you inadvertently start to feel happier!

The same principle applies to running. When you go out for a run your heart rate goes up, you start to get warm en sweaty. These are the same signals that occur in times of stress or danger, and your mind might conclude: 'Uh-oh! There's danger! The kids have found me!'

However, since this usually isn't the case, your mind can't help but decide: 'I must like doing this, or why else would I be running?!'
So you can actually teach your body and mind to like running.

As a runner there are days when my mind and body feel separate, and then there are the days when they feel as one. When my body feels sluggish and tired, I feel as if I háve a body, and the last thing it wants is to start moving. Then I consciously let my mind take control, and force my body into action.
'Move it, you lazy body, you!'

But there are also days when my mind and body feel as one. Like when I'm feeling anxious and restless, and my body is begging for movement. Those are the days I give my body free reign, and my mind just leans back, enjoying the ride/run.

In the end, no matter how well, or how terrible a run feels, a finished run always makes me feel better and more balanced. Mind and body both at ease.

So I consider my body and mind very good mutual friends, who work well together.

Body and mind and running

Make your own running partner!

Okay, so it took me about thirteen years, but it was worth it: I've got my very own, live-in running mate!

I had read about the joys of having a running mate. Running mates provide support and accountability and help you get faster. You can't just say: 'Neh, I'm not going for a run today,' because your running mate would suffer from your lack of motivation.

But I always worried about being too slow for any potential running mate, and besides: do I really need any more long term commitments in my life? I think not!

But here I am, with my very own running mate! He's always around, and runs just a little bit faster than me. He's my son Jan (13), whom I had sent up the running path.

I was worried he was playing on his computer too much so I made him an offer he couldn't refuse: 'If you go for a run three times a week, mommy won't have to worry so much about your health. And in exchange I'll pay for your membership at Runescape.'

Jan happily agreed, and these last three months I offered him a couch-to-potato programme, to make sure he started his running career the right way. And now the moment has come: Jan can run thirty minutes without a break.

His running form isn't very pretty, but I'm amazed at his speed! And he aced the 'talking test' which says you should still be able to talk or you're going to fast: he talked and he talked and then he talked some more. Telling me all I never wanted to know about Runescape.

I've never run so fast, hoping to make him lose his breath and stop talking. Like I said: running mates are a great way to make you go faster.

I am really grateful for my son and running mate.

Make your own running partner!

Natural fartlek

To stave off boredom during running, would-be bored runners have a plethora of techniques available to them. The simplest method being a change of route, but you can also try some Fartlek!

You pick a point in the distance, a tree or a Starbucks, whatever takes your fancy, and then you run like hell to get to it. Then you double over, gasping for breath. Once you've regained your breath you pick another point and race towards it. Repeat till you drop dead.

But sometimes you don't have to pick a point to have a nice fartlek. Dogs can help you step up the pace! I have this special Fartlekroute, filled with scary dogs who may very well bite me, and have helped me break many a personal pr.

Sometimes I like to add some high jumps to my fartlek. Like yesterday, when I almost stumbled over a very dead cat and jumped in horror.

'Obviously someone didn't pick up the pace enough!' I concluded.

And then I shattered yet another pr, because you know, that dog may still be out there...

Natural fartlek

Is it okay to take a short cut?

I was running along, heading for a little town five miles further, when I saw this dirt track calling out to me, saying seductively: 'I'm a short cut, I'm a short cut!'

I hesitated for a moment, and then ignored the dirt track telling myself: 'It's about the journey!' As a runner you can take a short cut, but it's gonna cost you your satisfaction when you reach your destination.

This got me thinking. 'Is it possible to take a short cut as a mom, and make the marathon of motherhood easier on yourself?' I have to admit, and I know I'm running on thin ice here, sometimes I think daycare is a short cut. Especially during summer vacation, when my kids are bored and whiny, and try to bash each other's head in for looking at someone 'the wrong way'.

Whereas school holidays put a bomb under my daily existence, friends who have jobs seem to be able to continue their life in much the same way. Instead of school their kids go to daycare. I sometimes catch myself thinking: 'It's not fair! I can be a nice mom like that!'

In the end I concluded that one person's short cut, is another one's route!
And we all need the freedom to go our own way.

Is it okay to take a short cut?

Boobs in place? Check! Face in place? Ehm....

'Great, an article about running myths!' I thought, expecting them to be exposed for what they were: 'myths', so I could feel all smug and go: 'Aren't I great, because I'm a runner!'

Alas! Instead of exposing them as myths, lots of them turned out to be true. Brace yourselves for some bad news: running makes your boobs go south, increases your chances of skin cancer, and your face will soon head after your boobs.

I'm 'blessed' with a modest B cup and during my runs I wear one of my regular bras, assuming my girls will be well protected. However, I'ld hate for my face to head south before its time.

Then I remembered Elaine, the secretary in the series Ally Mc Beale, who liked to invent all kinds of things in her spare time. One of them the Face Bra!

That should keep my face in place!

Boobs in place? Check! Face in place? Ehm....

Neverending

Sometimes running, and mothering, feel neverending.

Wordless Wednesday

Neverending

Running Friends

When I go out for a run, I always feel like I'm reconnecting with a loving friend. A friend who's always there for me, even if I've been away for a while. A friend who never judges me, and is always happy to greet me.

Apart from running itself, I always feel like I'm meeting up with the friends living in my iPod. Like Brad Paisley.

He tells the greatest stories, and makes me laugh. Like the time he told his wife he had to work, but really he went out fishing and then got caught! Sometimes he makes me tear up too, like when he talks about his grandpa, who told him God always listens to your prayers, only sometimes the answer is No.

Catching up with Brad Paisley is like catching up with an old friend.

Running makes me feel rich, because I know I've got all these friends out there, just waiting for me to show up.

Running Friends