Save the Date

Second Annual gO! Winter Potluck Friday Eve, Dec. 18. Details will be announced as we figure them out.

Quote of the year!
“Pain is inevitable, Suffering is optional.”
Japanese Author Haruki Murakami

Casa's Comments

B+ (be positive!) or Fail

Inevitably, all competitive runners reach a point in a race where the body fatigues and the mind must take control. What you do at this time usually separates a moderate performance from an optimal performance.
The biggest defeater of mental performance is a negative thought process. When you fatigue, you must find a way to “live in the moment.” Do not allow negative thoughts.
There are two methods of thought processing: association or dissociation; internal or external; tune in or tune out. Some people like to analyze their comfort level: “How arm my legs feeling? How is my breathing?” Others like to checkout: look at their surroundings or sing a song in their head to avoid thinking about the discomfort. You must find something or things that work for you. No matter what, it must be a positive thought. Practice it. Have a plan before you reach the point when you need it.

Here then, is my Top 10 things to think about when you feel like giving in:

#10 “I feel good enough right now that I don’t have to start playing mind games yet”

#9 “I’ve earned this pace with consistent training and diligent workouts” (Try to think about all of times you ran when it would have been easier not to.)

#8 “If I had to accelerate right now, could I? Is there still some ‘snap’ in my legs? Yes. I’m O.K.”

#7 “I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable. I know this is temporary.”

#6 Look around. “I can run with these people near me.”

#5 “I know I can run this pace for another half mile” (or quarter mile or until the next mile marker). Focus only on that segment, then, repeat.

#4 “I am slowly going to close the gap on the runner’ in the red cap’ ahead of me.” (then, pick someone new)

#3 “I’m going to Boston!” (or other goal like sub 2 hour half)

#2 “I have invested a great deal of effort up to this point (think of the mileage you’ve already covered), and I going to continue this effort.”

And the ultimate…

#1 “Josh believes I can do this, so I know I can!”

12 Little gO! Runners Hopping Through The Trees

12 little gO! Runners hopping through the trees,
Lisa V. fell down and skinned her knees.
Josh called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Midnight! Hills! Are you sick in the head?!”

11 little gO! Runners flying through the woods like a big bad buck,
Dennis fell down and said shit, damn, crap, and FUCK!
Josh called the Leslie, and Leslie yelled,
“I said you were crazy, you shouldn't have rebelled!”

10 little gO! Runners running in the dark,
Tim did a summersault without causing a mark.
Josh called Anne, and a sleepy Anne mumbled,
“Tim wouldn't risk his pearly whites with such a stupid stumble!”

9 little gO! Runners tromping down the trail with a tired looking stride,
Josh fell in a bush and hurt his pride.
Dave called to Isaac, and Isaac laughed and screamed,
“It’s about time he fell on his face, like I’ve always dreamed!”

8 little gO! Runners under the full moon,
Jesse crashed down with a sonic boom,
Josh called Joe, and Joe said stressed,
“please call back later, I am working on my chest!”

7 little gO! Runners almost to the car,
When Laurie did a superman that will leave a nasty scar!
Josh called Tim C., and Tim C. declared,
“I am glad I didn't go, good thing I was too scared.”

12 little gO! Runners causing a Denny’s squall,
The night was an amazing adventure that will be remembered by all!
And then Gary whispered over his Moons Over My Hammy,
“gO! is like a supportive and spirited, second little Family!”