Here is the dictionary definition of Endurance:
en·dur·ance
noun \in-ˈdu̇r-ən(t)s, -ˈdyu̇r-, en-\
: the ability to do something difficult for a long time
: the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues
for a long time
: the quality of continuing for a long time
Full Definition of ENDURANCE
2 the ability
to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to
sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity <a marathon runner's endurance>
As we can see endurance is primarily the ability to continue
at something for a long time, despite whatever circumstances come along. As I
was taking a walk today amongst the trees, I realized that they have a lot to
teach us about endurance. After all some of the oldest living things on the
earth are trees. The Redwoods and Sequoias in California for instance persist
for millennia. How do they do it and what can we learn from them?
1.
Endurance is a slow steady process of
increase. Trees grow year after year, and century after century. Their root system grow in proportion to
support each year’s new growth. Our systems must be nurtured in much the same
way. We need to allow time for adaptations to occur.
How can this help?
- The long run is the foundation of endurance. If you want to run long, you must run long consistently. Try adding to your long run in smaller increments than you are accustomed to. Instead of adding perhaps 10% think of adding only 5% to your long run each week. Don’t increase your long run every time. Think of increasing one week and cutting back a little the next week. Only patience builds endurance. Be consistent over a long period of time
How can this help?
- Efficiency is a major component of endurance. Being able to do things with the least amount of energy expenditure possible is really what makes endurance possible. The person with the most endurance if asked to run in a very inefficient way would not go far.
o
Try this: bend your knees and drag your knuckles on the
ground beside you. Now run down the block, Can you imagine having to do this
for thirty miles?
o
Now try this, interlace the fingers on
your two hands, rotate the palms away from you and reach skyward. Can you feel
that to reach to your maximum you would have to raise the entire shoulder
girdle and beyond that you might feel
some lengthening in your waist, even feel a different alignment in your hips,
knees and feet. Now you are shaped like a redwood tree. Instead a long tree
trunk you have a long relaxed, non compressed spine.
o
Run down the block and feel that this
alignment is closer to optimal and helps conserve energy by using an alignment
that lets your bones support you easily like the trunk of a tree.
One mistake people make is thinking that running is a simple
movement. Running is a natural movement, but a complex movement involving the
entire body. If you want to master something you must apply yourself with focus.
An interesting read is Focus: The Hidden Driver Of Excellence by Daniel
Goleman. If you want to know what Awareness Through Movement can do for your
running (go to the video at the bottom of the page) click here.
If you want to master your own running
form click here.
3. The idea of endurance is primarily to
do something for a long time but also to persist in the face of challenges.
Notice that a long lived tree persists over years, decades, sometimes centuries
or millennia. The Redwoods. Have seen fires, drought, heat, cold, ferocious
winds, disease, and the influence of man, yet they persist.
How can this help?
One of the huge
aspects of endurance is the mental aspect. Obviously there is certain toughness
necessary to persist and also certain toughness fostered through persistence.
Mental toughness and focus is a major factor in endurance. The ability to keep
going no matter what, to embrace the difficulty is something that could take us
beyond or known or ordinary experience.
But here is another
factor. You have heard the saying that sometime you bend with the breeze, or
you break. This is something that trees are experts in, swaying with the
breeze. To acknowledge what is, to be flexible, to bend slightly and dissipate
some of the force of the wind or the challenge rather than resisting rigidly is
also a mark of endurance.
Try this: The next time you think that you can’t
complete an endurance workout, think about the limitless capacity to do we are
endowed with in this physical existence. Think about the limitless ways that
you could approach things. You can vary your pace. If appropriate, you could add much more
walking. You could put a break in the middle of your workout, you could fuel
more. You could rearrange your schedule or taper for a very important long run
or schedule more rest afterwards. Maybe
you could pay attention to each footfall, or remove all performance pressure
from yourself and just do. Bend a little like the trees and you will find new
limits. If you want to read the free e-book, The Runners Body/Mind (go to the sidebar and click on the Runner's Body/Mind) click here.
S 4. Support: Trees, especially redwood trees
usually live in a forest, a community, an ecosystem. The forest system supports
the growth of the individual trees in a number of ways.
How can we use this?
Personal growth and
improvement always needs support. Runners need pacers, support crews, trainers,
friends, mentors and coaches. We improve more when we work in a community than
when we are do everything ourselves. Read, study and learn from others.
Running form coaching
is an important part of your development. I am a somatic (body) educator and I
would be happy to help you improve the individual aspects of your form. click here for more information about Scott
All this from being
outdoors with beauty that is hard to ignore. My view on Saturday’s run.
Perhaps you were inspired be nature this week.
Have fun persisting
Scott :)
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