The culmination of a successful running program

It doesn’t have to have anything to do with running or sports. But the feeling of having accomplished something, the feeling that gives you the culmination of something. You shouldn’t ignore that. It’s a fantastic feeling. This post is based on another larger article and one of our own running programs. A small “test” of our own running program, but with the aim of changing the structure and structure. But you can read much more about all that here:

– Read the detailed article about the entire process here

– See which running program has formed the basis here.

This little side article is primarily about how to feel the climax, and not least how to feel the “fear” when the battle is about to end. Has your training borne fruit? Have you done the right things? And is there a basis for a proper performance?

12 weeks of preparation before the culmination

For me, there were 12 weeks of preparation leading up to the hopefully culmination. 12 weeks where the focus has primarily been on running and more running. Among other things, other sports have been de-selected due to this primary focus on running. Crossfit, spinning and to some extent football lost out every time priority was given to running. And why is that? Well, the record hunt had begun. In the 12 weeks of preparation, the goal was to run under an hour and a half in a half marathon. And if it succeeded, it would only be the second time in my “running career” that it would have happened. So for 12 weeks straight it was all about running training, tempo training and not least interval training. Sometimes you almost threw up over it.

Learn to say no, learn to say no please

I’ve heard the word “boring” and even “fanatical” in my relatively short path of weeks towards the goal. Personally, I’d rather call it “dedicated.” I think you have to be of the same mold to understand this. But not everyone can see the “cool” in having to do without. And I don’t demand that, and I don’t even demand that you be able to understand it. But that’s why I won’t hide the fact that the culmination, when you succeed, is half or a whole time greater when you have taught yourself to say no thanks over 12 weeks. And now I have to hurry to say that if you’ve read the whole process around this, in the associated larger article, then you also know that I haven’t said no every single time. There have also been weekends with hangovers and low-level runs in my 12 weeks. But my point is that if you really want to go after a goal and feel the ultimate culmination, you have to sort something out. In most cases, wanting to be good to others comes at a cost in some way. But I also promise you that the feeling will be even better when it all culminates.

Social media, friend or foe?

For me it is natural, also because I run iloebesko.dk. For me there was no doubt that social media should be a part of this. But when you involve followers, friends and everything else via social media, I do not hide the fact that you increase the pressure on yourself. Because you want to appear cool in one way or another. I would like to hasten to say that under normal circumstances I am completely indifferent to what people think of me, and am basically not afraid of appearing both as a “loser” and a “winner” on social media. And if this culmination had had a different outcome, it would certainly have ended on social media too. Self-knowledge goes a long way. Even if it may be on a flimsy basis, and it is a bit “bought”. So never underestimate the feeling of support you can achieve via social media. I would be lying big time if I said I didn’t feel a little “proud of myself” and “sunbathed a little in my own success” when I could post a positive culmination on social media after the race. It’s probably this feeling that makes so many people addicted to likes and positive comments. Advantage or disadvantage, I think you have to judge for yourself?

Is better at underplaying the role

I lost 1000,- on completing my goal? Well, you don’t usually win if everything works out? Yes, you do. But I actually made a bet with my wife before the race. It was that if I finished in under an hour and a half, she would win 1000,- to use for free. And if I finished in over an hour and a half, I would win the 1000,- So I had every chance of becoming both an experience (the race itself) and 1000,- richer. I just had to run exactly one second slower than 1:30.00. I didn’t.

Ran CPH Half 2019 in 1.28.34

But how can your wife come up with such a bet? Well, she can for the simple reason that she knows me, and she knows that I am an expert at underplaying my own role. Or at least she tries every time. But this time it cost me a fortune. She knew very well that if I could, I would absolutely love to beat my own record in a half marathon, which until September 15, 2019 was 1:29:52. She knows me, and she knows that when it comes to that kind of thing, I am far too competitive a person to think in terms of betting. She just won 1000,- on that. And then I stand back and feel “read like an open book.” In fact, it went so far that on the day itself, she and the guy I went to the race with agreed that I was “that girl who always said that her exams were bad but still got an A.” I can’t say much other than that they’re probably partly right.

Iron will, well maybe?

As one of my good friends wrote to me immediately after finishing the race. “Iron will, you have to give it to me, you have it.” That’s not how I thought of it myself. Or at least it’s not the feeling you have running around with on the course if you ask me. I can easily imagine what it looks like from the outside. The friend mentioned before is someone I play football with, and he knows that in the month leading up to the culmination I have said no to, among other things, the famous and infamous football finish at our little old boys football team. And guess what, part of his reference to “iron will” is in saying no to such events. But in my world I don’t feel it’s iron will, but more like dedication?

The last 3 kilometers

So the ones that should be “easy” and the ones where you can give yourself a little more. The kilometers that I had talked to a colleague about the week before were the best and where you were supposed to enjoy it all. That didn’t happen. Because I simply can’t remember them. And it’s a strange feeling, really. I can only imagine sporadic things from the last 3 kilometers. The 3 kilometers that are enjoyed, and where you should maybe pick up the pace a little. It turned out to be the opposite. I ran in a bubble, I can’t describe it better. I’ve never tried anything like it. Such a strange feeling. Luckily for me, I had already seen around the 17-18th kilometer that this looked good in terms of hitting a reasonable time. If I had been right on the limit, or even worse, a little below where I should be, then I’m relatively sure that I would have completely died in the last 3 kilometers. The pace slowed down in the last 3 kilometers, but not more than it held up to the finish! So maybe there’s something about iron will after all?

Cheerleading is greatly underrated

If you have the opportunity, you should bring your own cheering choir. Because it gives you a lot. However, in this article I would like to make an unreserved and public apology to my wife and 2 boys. They stood and cheered the best they had learned. The only minus (for me and them) was that they were located within the last 3 kilometers. I simply did not see them inside the bubble I ran in. So my planned scene of giving them a hug before I ran to the finish line, it didn’t come to fruition. Fortunately, I have been forgiven, and I am also caught by them on video. So fortunately, they did not drive to Copenhagen completely in vain that day. Of course, I don’t know if you can? But I can use it to my advantage to have people I know along the route to motivate me. It gives you a lot to know that some people have come out to the race to cheer for YOU. It made it much easier for me to have these “fix points” to run after. No matter how you set it up, the vast majority of people will be happy and “warm inside” when they hear someone cheering for them.

A grown man cries too

My reaction was moved to tears. All things considered. Both the last 3 very intense kilometers, the 12 weeks of hard and focused training and the atmosphere in general. All of that came and surprised me when I stepped over the finish line, stopped my watch, and the worst throwing up feelings had subsided. My eyes got a little watery. I have to admit that I was really touched by the situation, my emotions were showing on my clothes. Luckily I stood bent over, hands on each knee and looking down at the ground. That way I avoided anyone seeing my “screaming”.

About the Author:

En passioneret løber der elsker at nørde med både løbesko, og selvfølgelig også alt det fysiologiske omkring det at løbe. Ja, jeg har rigeligt med løbesko, det siger min kone i hvert fald. Men jeg kan altså ikke lade være.....

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