Can motivational quotes and mantras make you crazy?

Ok, so, after reading motivational quotes for runners last night, when J and I were planning where we'd run today, I suggested we go ahead and bump the time up to 4 minutes running. What -- was that really coming out of my mouth? Oh, but it gets better. I went on to say "what's an extra 15 seconds?" Am I nuts???

I once heard a sportscaster describe Eternity as the last two minutes of a football game - ha, it's more like that last 30 seconds of a run!

Well, rest assured, I can confidently say I've not gone completely off the deep end. The proof was that I suggested we not reduce the recovery time. Being fully aware that during the recovery, those 15 seconds would seem like a gift from the heavens. They did!

The watched beeped signaling it was time to run; I was feeling GREAT, so good in fact, I was chatting away. Yeah, I know, what's new. Now, if you've been following this blog you know what it means if I'm feeling good -- that's right -- J was miserable. After what seemed to be a very short period she asked how much longer we had. Glancing at my watch I did a double take; shocked to see ONLY 40 seconds left to go. Wow, I was feeling fantastic.

I was elated, immediately wondering what the chances were I'd feel this great throughout the entire run. About that time I heard J say she was "only doing four!" What? What happened to six? This wasn't good.

The run continued as did the transformation. Yep, things turned around about the fourth interval. It was almost at the precise moment I began struggling that I looked up to see J pass me ... with a smile on her face! How could she be smiling?

Admittedly, I wanted to suffer during this run (as if that's an option) so I could practice using mantras I'd read about last night. It worked for awhile and I understand how using them could keep your breathing and stride in check. However, since my breathing wasn't my issue today, I didn't find them useful. My struggle was with my legs; not pain so much as extreme heaviness, as if I couldn't take another step ... then the pain set in.

As I persevered, I realized that during the last three sets, as difficult as they'd been and as slow as I was moving -- though I'd contemplated quitting, I never considered it. BIG difference and huge change for me. As I ran the last set, I marveled at how I'd started out strong, yet ended exhausted, while J is the complete opposite. Thankfully we don't usually both feel horrible at the same time, which allows us to help each other along the rough spots. She put it best - we compliment one another.

During the last few seconds of today's run I felt a sudden joy. I knew I had made it. I'd finally run twice as long as I'd walked. J and I gave each other a hug as we shared our victory ... then we found a bench!

4min run/2 min walk - 8 sets

Happy running.

Go US!