So there I was tonight, out for a brisk walk and half way through 'Da Funk' by Daft Punk (superlative effort from the French) and I remember having/over-hearing various conversations with people about the fact they had taken pain killers before the race started.
Many years ago, when I had ideas about joining the army I would run with a heavy weight on my back everyday and to cover the pain in my legs I would occasionally take painkillers. This means I cant exactly moan at these people for doing it...... and yet, I have to say that I just don't get it? Ultra events hurt. You have to have that battle with the part if you that wants to give up. Is that not one of the reason's we do it? Isn't it one of the reasons it feels so fucking cool when we do finish?
So what is the point in masking that experience with pain killers? Besides for me, one of the main reason's I run is because it puts me in touch with my body and how wonderful it is. Not just how capable it is or how far it can travel or even that it does not fail to start-even on the coldest of mornings. No, one of the wonders of this world is that there is this species known as homo sapien that can endure so much pain, so much discomfort and so much hard ship that it makes us one of the most remarkable organisms ever. Sure, there are faster, more beautiful, stronger, more enduring etc etc...but surely we hold the title for most flexible/adaptable. Consider Maurice Green a 100 meter specialist of shattering speed and power and then cast an an eye at Paula Radcliffe...totally different but THE SAME species! You just don't get this kind of extreme variety in any other species. We are literally the most amazing creature ever to inhabit this earth. Lets ignore all the bad stuff we do.....just for a moment.
I rock! we all rock! God dam it, use your body for something new today! It took thousands of years of evolution to look this pretty.... make the most of it and respect it!
before you ask, yes I have been drinking.......oh the irony.......booze is no good for you. Well, I am afraid it is. As a species we need an escape. There are tribes in far flung locations that actually distill yak shit in order to produce alcohol! it's within us to to seek out these experiences. I don't do any illegal drugs and never really have but don't you think its odd that people in Westminster tell you what you can and cant put in to your body? After all, I don't attempt to throw them in to jail for getting overweight from lack of running/exercise.
Anyway, When I started this blog I promised my self I would stick to the running and ignore politics. Sorry. Yeah so painkillers, funny one that.
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This Blog will record the activities of the next 2 and a half years of training. Culmninating in completing 'Le Marathon Des Sables' in April of 2009, aka the toughest foot race on earth. In broad terms it involves running 150 miles across the Sahara Desert in six days whilst carrying all your own equipment & food. This will entail a large amount of preparation but hopefully an even larger amount of money being raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Wish me luck!
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2 comments:
Hi Bruce interesting post, having only one experience of covering large distance’s (45 miles in the across Wales walk) I took pain killers before and during the event. This was for me more an addmition that I knew the training and preparation I had done was inadequate (something that you could not be accused of). This did not stop my extreme physical pain and mental torture during the event and in all honesty when I finished I felt that physically I could have continued, however there were times during the event that I really wanted to stop as I was convinced that I could not complete it. I had as much if not more satisfaction from the mental battle (and winning by finishing) as I did form the physical achievement of completing the event.
Having the aching desire to complete another event that the average person would not consider and not having the time and self discipline that you have. I will either continue to follow efforts of others or go for it again, train as best I can but never sufficiently then suffer during and after the event but take pain killers.
Keep it up.
Ian, thank you for that. On reflection I was a little wide of the mark, it is likely I will take pain killers on the MDS.
Anyway, that has to be the best comment anyone has ever made and I am thrilled someone with some experience of this kind of thing has taken an interest. Your effort sounds a bit hilly compared to mine....perhaps I would of taken pain killers for that!
All the best.
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