The Two Jims or Mentors Aren’t A Dime A Dozen
// February 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off on The Two Jims or Mentors Aren’t A Dime A Dozen // Being the Best You, exercise, Mental Training, stretching, Training, Ultra-marathon
I went to my local running store yesterday to pick up a couple of things, to include The Stick, to help me stretch my thighs and hamstrings. I’m looking forward to healing from the injuries and “almost injuries”, and hope this stuff will help.
I was psyched that at least one of Jims (both informal mentors) who work at the store was there. Jim 1 (a helluva guy, and a great runner) told me about Jim 2 (a freak of an ultra runner and “the man” as I call him) who had just run 50 miles in 6:28. What the…?! There’s inspiration. Man I need that. I need to hear what others are doing so I can be inspired to do my best or to beat them! Now I aint beating Jimbo anytime soon but I can see what’s possible if I apply myself. And that’s cool. Crazy…Jim 2 is going to be running the Vermont 100 with me though for only about 2/3 of the time. The rest of the time, he’ll be eating, sleeping or whatever he wants; I’ll be still hustling!
After ordering some sneakers and gawking at all the cool stuff, I got some sage advice from Jim 1 that I knew but needed to hear. All jacked up about getting going and putting in more milage (and after telling him about what my injury was) he told me to chill. “It’s ok, Ron. You’ve got a long way to go and you WANT to heal. Don’t run, it’s okay.” I’m sighing as I write. Permission! I need to cut myself some slack.
Man we all need mentors who will tell us when we need to stop loafing and when it’s ok to “be still”. Isn’t that wisdom though, to know the season you’re in (by choice or foist) and to respond thoughtfully from there?
Thanks Jim 1 for the permission slip!
