1. Breath
Even the slowest road is filled with hardships and pitfalls if breath is not an ally. The processes of the body during a run are a symphony of rhythms which must be brought into concert with one another. Breath is the metronome of the body. Breath must be regarded as paramount.
2. Terrain
Terrain is not just the ascenscions and declinations of land. It is the totality of physical circumstance surronding the slow road. Air temperature, wind, time of day, and natural obstacles offer infinite variety and challenge. Learn to appreciate the circumstances when running the slow road.
3. Distance
One must learn the meaning of distance as the body understands it. Distance is typically understood as an empirical calculation of time and space. But when you run or even walk a distance, your body begins to understand it as cumulative and serial movement. Your mind can be overwhelmed by thoughts on the significance of distance. The body must become arbiter of the distance so the brain does not interfere. After completing a distance, concerted attention must be paid to how the body feels.
4. Brain
The brain can be the greatest obstacle on a long and arduous run. The brain knows that you aren't running from or toward anything and it sees the energy as wasted. When it comes to energy expenditure, your brain is suspicious and miserly. There exists a psychological moment on the slow road wherein the brain can no longer be obeyed.
5. Will
It takes more will to push yourself out to the gym, sidewalks, or sharply crunching gravel on a Tuesday night than it does to run a marathon. The marathon, half marathon, 10k, or 5k is not the journey. It is the reward. By pushing yourself onto the slow road you have already overcome the greatest challenge the slow road can offer.
No comments:
Post a Comment