It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when a workout gets real. That moment when you do not want to finish. For the Bullseye half-marathon that moment came 9 miles into the event. This isn’t the point where YHC started to struggle nor is it the point where YHC started to rethink his support for this event. Both of those happened far earlier (probably around mile 5 or 6).
9 Miles was the point where YHC did not want to continue. The point where every thought was screaming to stop and walk, and screaming this at every step. It’s also the point where the body is beyond tired. It’s the point where you could be strapped to a lie detector and say you have zero energy left and not be lying. Misery is the only way to describe that moment and the 30+ minutes of running afterwards.
Why finish? YHC thought about his family (a common source of motivation)…….. nothing. They honestly wouldn’t care if YHC finished, and wouldn’t know how hard it was if he did. Furlough has a great story about the Chicago marathon, where he had some Lego’s in his pocket from his kids. He would touch the Lego’s for motivation, and it worked…… until it didn’t. When he hit the wall (his words) those Lego’s didn’t do much. He has reached the point of zero motivation.
Zero motivation happens when all mental motivation (family, God, friends, country, etc.) is gone. Particularly when the pain is enough to drown the good thoughts out. How to finish off these days strong? Here are some things YHC uses when zero motivation sets in.
- Know you can. The Navy Seals 40% rule (http://lifehacker.com/cultivate-mental-toughness-with-the-navy-seals-40-perc-1745307249) states that when you think your done you actually have 60% still left. This is something that always comes to mind. It’s amazing what the body can do when you push it.
- Focus on form. Pay attention to each breath; make sure each step is as efficient as possible; think of anything you can that is not the pain. Honestly, thinking about nothing is one of the better things to do. It’s not easy, but it can get you through a little bit.
- Make a goal and stick to it. For YHC the goal was to not walk on the hills (there was some pretty darn slow running, but no walking). Other goals might be to keep miles below 10 or 12 minutes. Whatever the goal, stick to it with everything you have.
- Know that these 30 minutes (or 45 or 60 or 3 hours) of misery will make you stronger. Mental toughness is built in these moments and can last a lifetime.
None of these things make the end of the event easier. It will be miserable, whatever you do. But the end will come and when it does you don’t want to have excuses. After the Bullseye was a magical feeling. Once you’ve starred your demons down you feel indestructible.
WOW: Not to take away from this weeks WOW, but the pickin’s was slim this week. With the website in flux, BB’s have become less frequent. To post you’re BB go to https://www.f3midlands.com/wp-login.php, you’ll have to click the “Lost your password” link at first.
This weeks WOW comes from last Thursdays Legion lead by Serena. Let’s take a look at this hour of misery:
The Thang
Mosey to corner for 25 4ct IC (unless otherwise noted)
SSH (x50)
Imperial Walkers
Squats
Mountain Climbers
American Hammers
Flutter Kicks
Ray Charles
Mosey to Basketball Court and Partner-Up
Lazy Dora (combined the pair completes):
100 Merkins, Partner Rests in Plank
200 LBCs, Partner Rests in 6”
300 Squats, Partner Rests in Air Chair
Count off by 1s and 2s and mosey to Playground
1s Hold Pull-Up Position (Raise Chin Above Bar) and Count to 30. On your count, each PAX raises knees to chest.
2s Hold Plank.
Flip-Flop.
Rinse and Repeat. Count to 45.
Rinse and Repeat. Count to 30.
Mosey to Tennis Court for Tabatta App Exercises (Exercise 1 for 20 Seconds, “Rest” Exercise 2 for 10 Seconds. Continue for 4 minutes).
Exercise 1: Squats. “Rest” Exercise 2: Air Chair.
Exercise 1: LBCs. “Rest” Exercise 2: Flutters.
Exercise 1: Burpees. “Rest” Exercise: SSHs. (#CrowdPleaser)
Mosey to street outside Legion Entrance. Circle-up.
Each PAX in circle completes 5 Burpees, 5 LBCs, & 5 Merkins while others hold Plank or Air Chair.
3 Minutes of Mary.
Enterprise: Reverse Crunches (love the cadence voice).
Furby (kid’s a beast!): Freddie Mercuries.
Moana: Side Crunches.
The goods: Serena is a veteran of the F3 Q’ing game. In this workout you see just some of the tricks he’s learned over the years. The main weapon used by Heist was to partner the pax up and share the pain. This is a great way to develop some camaraderie and switch cardio intensive moves (that get the HR up) with some isometric strength moves.
YHC is always a big fan of Tabatta as well. Overall, this was very well done. TClaps Serena!
Aye,
Stache