Carlton, a village about one mile from where we live did a publicity campaign a few years ago, to change the name of the village to “Rhubarb”. It did this to highlight the need to protect the brand of the local “forced” rhubarb grown in the region known as the “Rhubarb Triangle”. Sine 2010 the term “Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb” has Protected Designation of Origin awarded by the European Comission (political point not necessary here) highlighting the quality of this product.
As I ran through the villiage, struggling a little in the heat and wind, I reflected on my 150 mile plus acheivement last month and the slowness of my very gradual return to fitness. I remembered something my Physio said “sometimes less is more” and a friend’s comment that although he has been running really fast times he has “never ran less”.
I have always observed that with me, high mileage goes with good performance but it occurred to me that I might have got the cause and effect the wrong way round. Maybe the fitness causes the ability to up the mileage rather than the high mileage causing the fitness! Given the comments of professionals and friends alike it’s more than maybe.
So, here’s the new month resolution: it’s going to be quality (like the rhubarb) rather than quantity. I’m going to go back to running 4 times per week taking proper rests and not get obsessed with larger and larger mileage goals. Maybe I’ll run 100 in July and maybe I won’t but the important thing is that it isn’t my goal.
“But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
Matthew 19:30 NIVUK
http://bible.com/113/mat.19.30.nivuk
