June 2011. After college, it was a shock to my system not to have hours of physical activity each day. I needed something simple and cheap to stay in shape, and running was it! With road races gaining popularity, I jumped on the bandwagon. Having learned in college that endurance, not speed, is my forte, I signed up for my first 10k in October 2011--the longest distance I'd ever run. From there, I gave myself a year to work up to a full marathon. Quickly, I came to define achievement by how many miles I logged.
During work trips, we support local teams to manage a child-focused camp program, and we share a four-part model, sometimes referred to as the 'TR model.' Standing for therapeutic recreation, the TR model is an on-going cycle of challenge>success>reflection>discovery, used to intentionally frame an activity. To give independence and control to the child, we emphasize 'challenge by choice,' which most simply means the child chooses his/her level and type of challenge or activity, based on his/her goals and comfort levels.
About three months ago, I signed up to run the New Haven Road Race and fundraise for Girls on the Run, a youth development program for young girls. Presented with the choice of either the 20k or 5k, I signed up for the 20k and was excited to build out my training program. I even wanted to try a new 4-day per week running schedule, so I did! My fundraising goal had a minimum of $250, which I felt was feasible, and I had the option of increasing my goal. Choices made. Challenges accepted.
The second part of the TR model is success. When training camp staff, we explain that being focused on the child means giving the child the opportunity to define success on his/her own terms. And if a specific goal was set and not met, child-focused means staying focused on the child (not the goal) and helping him/her see where success did occur. Goals change, and with that, so does success.
Nine days before race day, I found myself on a run with a nagging tightness in my right foot and no confidence in my body to run a 20k. First thought--get over it, run the 20k, deal with the discomfort. The other option is the 5k, and that distance is not a enough of a personal challenge. Sun rises again and I'm out for a late afternoon run. On Edgehill Road, about 3 miles from home, I check my watch: 26 minutes. Hmm, another challenge is born. If I can do a training run in 26 minutes, why can't I clock 23 in a race? Choice made. New challenge accepted. Success redefined.
One of my favorite 'pep-talk' quotes is from Steve Prefontaine, former Oregon duck, American record-holder and Olympic runner: 'I run best when I run free.' Thanks to the good 'ol TR model, I'll be running free this weekend. Free of a challenge I'm not comfortable with, and free from defining my success merely by distance. I suppose it's not always a bad thing that work is on my mind...
