Running --The Mental Side

The Grid Iron Classic. 4 miles. After running the marathon 26.2 miles one would think that a mere 4 miles should be a piece of cake.... a walk in the park right?...WRONG. We runners have different goals for different distances. So that's number one. Number two...here it is in the middle of the winter. Training has been light to moderate since the NY Marathon. Winter is a time to recover and rest some of those body parts that have gotten beaten up over the long hard months of training from roughly end of March through the end of November. We dont want to lose alot but we are looking more to maintain our endurance and fitness level. Perhaps do more cross training and less miles. Easier things for the body to handle. Swimming; spinning; weight training. Ok Ok... I get all of that. Not that I do it all....I say I will but yet my cross training is not exactly in high gear. I do have a gym in my basement with all of the necessary equipment... including a nice high tech spin bike... but somehow I'd rather just run.... out the door...one foot in front of the other. And thats it. Ok
So that brings me to the Grid Iron Classic. A simple little 4 mile race in Central Park. Not even a full loop. Start at 68th Street on the East Drive and finish right by what used to be Tavern on the Greene.... 72nd Street on the West Side. Now last year I ran this race. It was my first race in Central Park- the first of 10 last year. This year I already did the Manhattan 1/2 Marathon a couple of weeks ago. So its my 2nd of the 9 I have to do for guaranteed entry into the 2011 NY Marathon. I already have my guaranteed entry into 2010.

So the gun sounds.... me and maybe 5,000 others. I am in coral #3. Meaning my bib number is in the 3000 range. Pretty impressed right? My best pace to date for any NYRR race was about 8.06. It is freaking cold. And windy. The first mile is basically dodging other runners. My strategy is to stay on the inside near the curb. Just maintain my pace and not zig zag in and out of runners. There are so many people who are just not serious runners here. I was hoping to break 33 minutes so I knew I had to be in the low 8 minute per mile pace range. First mile no problem.... just keep the pace. Feeling groovy. 2nd mile....crossing the transverse...run in the lane designated for Colts fans; (Colts lose this vote by 66% to 34% according to the runners); then through the 2 mile mark still feeling good. My running friend has left me in the dust; well not exactly dust; now we hit the long hill on the west side; the hill takes its toll on me; my pace somewhat diminishes; crowded on the inside by slow runner who I cant pass easily. I have to jump on the curb; I hit mile three now feeling tired; pace slows; left brain right brain talking to me; here's the mental part. Do you slow down or fight the pain to maintain your speed and pace; you know you can; you push yourself through the pain to do it or you lose. Its the mental side of running. I push through the pain and try to kick my way to the finish. I cross the finish line in 33:06. Not a PR but reasonably satisfied. Very satisfied with the effort. Happy I won the mental race. Feeling good.