Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Ultra Running

First 50K Training Plan
downloaded via the internet
Going Longer: How To Train For Your First 50K


Introducing an "Ultra-Dream"


Here we go…the first step, the first web blog* of a new adventure...



“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.” 


Today, I do not have the courage to share this dream to everyone.  I only have enough courage to express to myself that I believe in this dream.

Why ultra-marathon, when I can barely bring myself to go out and start my next marathon training?

EDITED: 24.07.2014
Once again, I deleted my marathon training scheme, and have replaced it with this new one.
I still am struggling to resume running, two days after I wrote this blog and might have to reconsider 
the ultra in Luxembourg. 
If I do not run this week, and continue to struggle, I have to find another 50K, that has a later date.
Next week will be my "last week" to start training for AMS marathon; if my spirit continues to resist, 
I might have to also replace that marathon goal for a later one.
POSITIVE Affirmation: this is all part of the process...

My current marathon training plan via MY ASICS
The current stats (My Best) is not updated.
My Nike+ App currently document more accurately my running statistics.
I did began recording my stats when in 2011 via Active.com but have lost the link to the account I created.



"Simplifying" A Bipolar Mind


"Simple answer":  the thought of working on an ultra-marathon goal "excites" me more than the thought of a "marathon" training. It makes me come alive thinking about the path, and the adventures towards the goal.

I am not a great, nor even a good marathon runner; I consider myself a romantic marathon runner. I run with the goal of reaching the finish line within the time limit. I am a proud member of the "back of the pack".

Do I wish to improve my marathon running? Yes. Do I wish to be better with each marathon I run? Yes. Do I aspire "fast times" on marathon training? Yes.

But speed is relative; what is fast for me, may not be fast for those, whose goal is to run a marathon under 4 hours or even those with the goals of running it within 3 hours.

I love the idea of achieving a simple goal; I am a simple runner.  When I ran the marathons in Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, my goal for each was to finish.










The Ultra-Plan


My personal goals for my first ultra: ING TRAIL UEWERSAUER

  • Take the first step (writing this blog)
  • Document every step towards the goal
  • Finish with a smile on my face 


ING TRAIL UEWERSAUER
16.11.14

Web blog*
Blogger's Note:


Dear Accidental Reader :)


Although Happy Feet'S Miles is a published public blog, my experience have shown me that unless I share links to post on different social media, and tell my friends directly about the existence of the blogpost, it will go "unnoticed" & "unread".

I am hoping in this way, I can document my first steps without "social pressure".  Inspiring others to work on their goals and dreams fuels me to go after my own goals and dreams. But currently, I am not yet completely ready to share my blogs about this new goal.

The struggle with my bipolar disorder is getting in my way of being consistent with my plans. So until I finished my first marathon, I will not share this ultra-marathon training.

So, if you happen to come upon this blog for one reason or another, or you are a friend who stumbled upon this blog through my various social media links, please do respect this choice; you are welcome to leave comments (of support, suggestions and cheers etc...!).


Cheers,



Thursday, July 17, 2014

Happy Feet'S Miles

Near the finish line of my last 10K race
29th of June
Vechtloop 2014
This is the third time I participated in this event
2012 - 15K
2013 - Half-Marathon



If only one keeps loving faithfully what is truly worth loving and does not squander one's love on trivial and insignificant and meaningless things then one will gradually obtain more light and grow stronger.” ― Vincent van GoghThe Letters of Vincent van Gogh


The Beginnings


Why Another Blog?


Yesterday, I finally wrote the blog I announced I will write in Happy Feet in the Netherlands (FB Page) more than two weeks ago. I'm hoping it will help  get me out of my running rut. 

It is published but I am still constantly tweaking it, just like how I sort things in my brain to have a clearer perspective. 

Happy Feet'S Miles is a baby blog of Happy Feet NL (blog) (as Happy Feeet of a Couch Potato is the latter's mother blog), here is where I will log what I do to keep fit and healthy.  This first post was inspired and motivated by, "In Search of Happy Feet" post.

Even if the blog, "In Search of Happy Feet" does not tell the whole story of my constant search for my "Happy Feet", it was a relief to have the words written down. It was a personal "success" for the sheer fact that I did not let my mind imprison my thoughts.

See, when I am "mentally blocked", I am "physically paralyzed". I need to sort myself mentally first before I can be on "unstoppable" mode. 

Not that I need to be unstoppable, but I simply need to be "present", completely present each day. Even on rest days. Even when I am on "being" mode. 

Mentally present, physically able. 

Not like a zombie - dead in the inside, feeling decay on the outside.

This blog is an idea I had since the beginning of this year -  blog about my effort to be fit and healthy.  

I aim to help and motivate others, as I personally hope, that my journaling will help and motivate myself.  

I would like to use this blog to hold myself accountable for all my actions, and to aid me in being consistent with pursuing my goals. 

Most of all have a clear document for myself in times of mental struggle to see things objectively.  

Why another (running) blog and how is it different from Happy Feet in the Netherlands, and Happy Feet of a Couch Potato?  While the latter former would be a "magazine", and the latter would be a (a draft of the) "book" of my running life, Happy Feet'S Miles would be the "journal".

Each one serves a purpose, and it gives my mind the freedom it needs, and not feel restricted.  My spirit and body are free, when my mind is free...


Start & the Finish lines


of Life, of Running.


I know the reason I am unable to make the first step to the next level of running (as my 3rd RUNniversary approaches - 8th of August) is because - as always! - I've dried up my well of motivation. I've finished my top 3 marathon dreams (Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris) 20 months after I began with running.

See, this is when the manic side of being bipolar comes in handy. *ironic smile*

Lots of things are achieved to make up for what is perceived as lost times during period of depression…

My marathon goals though, were never about finishing under or even within 4 hours or achieving record breaking time but it was about starting, and finishing what I started. 

I had to prove to myself that I can begin and finish, what I started because my life has been about constant beginnings, of picking myself after sinking in deep depression, and making a confident, hopeful step forward. I needed something tangible to prove to myself, I am strong, I have courage to begin, and the tenacity to finish.

The distance challenge was secondary, and well, the speed challenge has never really been something that makes me excited to jump out of couch.

For those I recently connected with, the short version of me: I either take time with everything I do, and frustrate people around me in the process OR I am über-hyper, all over the place, that I tire the very same people, who are frustrated by how I take so much time for what seems are the simplest tasks, simple steps for people in general.

When you have a bipolar disorder, "simple" is a relative word.

The Happy & Hope Behind Happy Feet


When You're Happy: simply BE!


When I set the goal ‪#‎14TenK‬ : run 14 10Ks to achieve 10km/hr goal in 2014, I was literally dragging my feet out of the door to do each run, each training, each race. It is because I was putting myself under pressure for something that is not really THAT important to me.

Running for me is not about the distance, the speed; my running is about being present, and actively participating in life. Yet, like with everything in life, "I" make sure that I unnecessarily make it hard on myself to feel that I am worthy of what ever happiness that comes my way.

I write this not to gain approval from anyone or to be understood by those, who I feel do not understand me. I am writing this as a record of how I am liberating myself, and in the process, I am hoping I can liberate other with my words, my thoughts, if they too battle the same things I do.

No one should ever feel alone, and hopeless.

We are all connected in life, and should help each other feel empowered.

We all hold the key to our own freedom. But there are times, we need others to help us acknowledge, that we are holding the key to liberate ourselves.


Cheers,