Mind matters when you’re on the run
Every Saturday morning for the past 15 years, at parks around the world, a global running phenomenon plays out.
It’s known as ParkRun, which began at Bushy Park, west London, in the UK, and it’s a free, weekly, timed, 5-kilometre run or walk. There are events in 22 countries, including 29 in New Zealand.
I try to get along as often as I can, either as a runner or a volunteer as ParkRun only exists thanks to volunteers. One of the roles is timekeeping, which I like doing because it provides a fascinating insight.
Standing at the finish line, you get to witness the whole gamut of what running is to different people.
There are the speedsters at the front for whom the important thing is the clock. There are the mid-packers striding to improve – to maybe beat a mate, or a person who has just passed them. And then there are those for whom turning up has been a victory as they’ve started a journey of getting fitter.
And every one of those runners and walkers, every one of those reasons, is absolutely valid. No-one’s goal is more important than anyone else’s.
I remember once having to stop on a tight corner while a runner pushing a pram negotiated the turn. Afterwards, another runner asked if having to wait was frustrating.
‘‘No way,’’ I said. ‘‘Why shouldn’t I wait?’’ The prampusher’s ParkRun was just as important as mine – there are no give-way rules based on pace. So what that I gave up a few seconds? Does it really matter?
Running is a great leveller. No matter where you are as a runner, the basic physiology is the same. Your heart pumps, your lungs heave, your legs propel you forward.
And then there’s what goes on in your head.
All running requires mental application. And that’s something you’ll hear from experienced runners, like elite athlete Fiona Hayvice.
‘‘Any running – I was going to say any ultra running, but it’s any running, really – becomes a mental challenge,’’ says Hayvice.
‘‘If you’re just starting out running and want to achieve a couple of kilometres or 5km, that is still a mental challenge, so it’s all relative.’’
Hayvice spoke to co-host Matt Rayment and me on the Dirt Church Radio podcast this week about her evolution into a branch of running that some think of as extreme.
Next month, she’s off to France to be part of the New Zealand team at the world 24-hour champs.
The event involves running around a short circuit over and over again, trying to run as far as you can in 24 hours.
Last year, she competed at the Asia and Oceania champs, running 202.32km, which placed her fourth.
Running for that long, around such a confined area is not something everyone would welcome, but Hayvice enjoys it.
‘‘It’s really hard to put into words, but I did enjoy it and I came away feeling even more motivated by that format.
‘‘It’s almost meditative once you get into your flow and it’s made me think about even bigger, longer challenges.’’
If you’re just starting out as a runner, perhaps at a ParkRun,
the entire concept will be mindboggling. But in fact, it’s just an expansion – a very large one, yes, but just an expansion nonetheless.
Figuring out how to take on longer or more challenging running events is a learning process. You wouldn’t expect to jump straight into a 24-hour race. You start with smaller, more manageable challenges and who knows where your body (and mind) will take you? Eugene Bingham and Matt Rayment are hosts of a trail running podcast, Dirt Church Radio. Learn more at dirtchurch radio.com or get in touch via email dirtchurchradio@gmail. com