The Mental Game

In every sport there’s the physical game and there’s the mental game.  The physical game takes lots of time perfecting, countless hours on the field, on the trail, etc.  The mental game on the other hand, is more difficult for me, and takes place all in my head.  It’s the battle against yourself.  It’s the battle, with me anyway, over whether I can do something, whether I deserve it, or whether I merely quit.  Just, as many aspects can throw the physical game (injury, not being fit), even more things can throw my mental game.  I have been losing the mental game the past few of weeks.  If you read regularly, you may have noticed the posts growing more negative, less carefree. 

Today begins the first run of Hard Week.  And I began this morning’s run having kicked the mental pitfalls out the door a couple days ago.  Forget that I was unable to secure a full-time job for September.  Forget that California is going bankrupt.  Forget that I feel inadequate to finish Twin Peaks.  These things I can overcome, as I can also overcome my bad diet, my failings as a mother, as a writer, and so many other things.  After all, we learn most from our failings don’t we?

Fortunately for me, the weather helped me get off to a good start this morning.  I got a nice cool ocean breeze running up to Top of the World in Laguna Beach.  My ankle is still worrisome to me.  But the pain was minimal.  When I returned home after a 6.5 mile rolling hills run, I iced it, wore an ankle brace for a few hours, then gave myself a pedicure, and it seems just fine. 

This week is going to be a tough, tough week running-wise.  I think I’ll just take it one run at a time.

Ready to ascend upon Cholla Trail which leads to West Ridge: 

Running trails at Aliso/Wood Canyons (either Cholla or West Ridge):

Heading back down Cholla (facing Wood Canyon) after a fulfilling cool summer morning run:

Out-and-back profile to Top of The World: