Do you feel like you're running a marathon just to keep up? Could the strategies long distance runners use to train for marathons work as "life" strategies to help you?
As the 2014 Boston Marathon approaches, my friend and Needham High School graduate Eileen Wallace, who is running her sixth Boston Marathon and I got together. I learned about her training tactics. As we talked, not only was I in awe and inspired by what she is doing at 56 years of age but I also saw that five key strategies Eileen uses throughout her Boston Marathon experience are at the core of my coaching.
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1. Preparation and planning
2. Execution
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3. Self-care
4. Self-discipline
5. Motivation
As part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC), the team receives a detailed schedule of everything needed to prepare for the big day. It specifies days to rest, the number of miles to run and running tempo. Eileen says, "For 18 weeks, beginning the second week in December, everyday revolves around training. Preparing is also a mind game. It's mind over everything else."
Understanding the marathon cycle is extremely important. According to Eileen, "I have to pace myself. The first 5 miles is warm-up, miles 5-15 is the fun run, miles 16-20 is when you hit the wall. And for the last 6.2 miles of the race, pick up the pace and turn it on to the finish."
On race day Eileen is organized to execute her run; from her gear, socks, music -- everything is ready and so is she. While running, Eileen knows the exact times to check her pulse, hydrate herself and eat health bars.
After the marathon, many runners experience a mental letdown. Aches and pains are one thing but melancholy from not seeing team members occurs regularly. To help alleviate this, Eileen plans a vacation to look forward to about a week after each marathon. Having something fun to anticipate helps a lot. Eileen takes care of herself throughout her training. Self-care isn't taken lightly.
In addition, Eileen is self-disciplined, motivated and determined. Through pain and injury, Eileen doesn't stop. Currently she is training indoors on an arc trainer due to a leg injury. It isn't the same as running outdoors to train but she knows what she has to do and she does it.
Why does she go through all of this? Brielle!
Brielle was Eileen's Jimmy Fund Patient Partner. At a young age Brielle was diagnosed with leukemia. She fought that battle and won. Then the unthinkable happened. At age 13, cancer returned and spread through her bones. There was no treatment left and Brielle passed away. Brielle is Eileen's hero and Eileen runs for Brielle. Eileen is also a cancer survivor and states her mission with unwavering grit, "I am running down a dream to a world without cancer." This is her mission, this is her mantra. She does not waiver.
After Brielle passed away, Brielle's mother gave Eileen a gift that Brielle wanted her to have. It was an Alex & Ani bracelet with the inscription, "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon."
Our lives are not sprints, they are marathons . The mindset and strategies used by marathoners work in everyday living. We can live a more focused life that is less harried and stressful.
Preparing and planning as you execute each day will get you ready for what lies ahead. Pace yourself and look for ways to take care of your body and mind. Be self-disciplined, stay focused and follow your plan. And lastly, and most importantly, motivation and passion will drive you forward and keep you moving in that direction. The life lessons I learned from Eileen are many. Her five strategies can be anyone's strategies.
The 750 members of team DFMC motivate and support each other. They are running to make the world cancer-free. On April 21, if you are watching the Boston Marathon, look for Eileen and cheer her on. Sing "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners as she goes by. Or, if you don't want to sing, please consider making a donation to Eileen and her DFMC team: Eileen's Page.
This year, those running the marathon run with vengeance. Eileen proclaims, "We are Boston Strong and this year we are finishing what we started last year!"
