spin doctor

def. 'In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure. While traditional public relations may also rely on creative presentation of the facts, "spin" often, though not always, implies disingenuous, deceptive and/or highly manipulative tactics.[1]'

for me and fellow endurance runners i believe the ability to be highly skilled at the art of spin doctoring is a total necessity. now boys and girls, dont get me wrong, i'm not talking here about deceiving our fellow beings, or being in any way disingenuous about our achievements. what i am refering to here is how we spin things to ourselves that helps uphold all things positive and blocks out any negative thinking. in fact becoming a highly tuned practioner in the psychology of spin doctoring to oneself might be the difference between success and failure..a bit like my previous post of glass half empty or glass half full

feeling grumpy? keep smiling and soon you'll feel loads better. going through a bad patch on your run? think happy positive stuff and soon you'll be flying once again.

take my january for example. it should have been 50+ mileage weeks with long runs of 20+ as the start of my 2011 campaign build up. with a daft fall and a resulting injured tendon i've ended up with at best a 3m daily hobble. that might have sent my head spinning (in a dizzy way) a few years ago and seen me heading to make a sharp exit from whatever plans that lay ahead. but this time im only looking at what i've gained rather than what i've lost
- i've felt better and run (ok hobbled) better with every little 3 miler i've done and ive managed to run strongly the ups (it was the downs that were tricky)
- i've made a conscious effort, sometimes (not everytime) through gritted teeth to go swimming and go to the gym to get my upper body and core into a decent state so they can take on their fair share of the work rather than leaving it all to my legs
- i've totally stopped drinking this month and eaten better and so far have shed a full 1/2 stone (a bit more to go yet mind)
- and as of yesterday my training is on its way up..a whopping 7, yes 7!, miles. can you believe it!! and today i hit double figures with a lovely run around here..




so, a month lost or a month gained? i let you make your own minds up about that..though no gold fish this time on offer the correct answer

hopefully i'll be able to continue upwards from here, build up the strenth in my knee area and replan my next few months training and events..all will be revealed (not that there's anything that exciting to be anticipating mind!). a steady week ahead of gently undulating runs (mike honeys orders) and then hopefully back to full training.

the mountains are calling. i can't hold out much longer.

so fellow bloggers and ultra diehards..keep spin doctoring your heads!

ps i don't think dogs need to use any such dark arts ;-)