Lessons from Failure

Ryan Hall started taking a day off, and ran a 2:04. That's the a short description. For a longer description read this Running Times article. One of the things that stuck out to me about the article, is something that has been reflected in my own life, a sense of balance.

Hall mentions the people in the 70s and 80s that had full times jobs and still ran great marathons. He suggests that they were happier in life because they were doing more than just running. Perhaps I beat him to the idea. I am really enjoying working and training. While I was unemployed I had plenty of time to train, but I was not really happy so my training was subpar. Having both I am seeing my training progress in 2011 in ways that are faster than any other training situation I have been in, ever. Although the first six months of 2006 might be an exception because I made huge breakthroughs that season, but it was the first consistent training I ever had year round.

What are the lessons? I can not focus on one physical aspect of my life and ignore other aspects and hope to progress at the one thing I am focusing on. Other lessons, the most important day to double when training for the marathon is after a long run (except for the special block). I can not go hard every day. Having a steady income is good so that I know I can pay my bills and eat the whole wheat pasta, steak, fish, cheese, and other expensive foods I feel give me that extra few seconds in the marathon or that faster recovery between workouts.