I just read an interview with a very fast female (ex-)runner from China: Wang Junxia. She dominated long-distance running in the 1990s. At that time, nobody exactly knew what training in China was like; these Chinese ladies suddenly "where there", at the top (marathon, 10 kilometers and so). Now this interview shows how hard it must have been (they call it a regime, which probably says enough). Now, she is able to run no more than 30 minutes a day. She must have suffered a lot during her top period, and this is the result: her body doesn't cooperate any more.
I realise than that my view on running is so different. Maybe I'm happy that I'm not a top-atlete (will never be as well), so who expects what from me? Only me, I guess (I think the trainer gave up with high expectations). For me, running in a nice environment (like the Ardennen last weekend) is top, I enjoy this most. Of course, I'm now trained well enough to do this particularly relaxed (ask Janine and Rogier). And sometimes, but not too often, a race is enough to keep the challenge to improve. So, I'm happy when the weather is good, not too hot, the environment is nice and there are nice people to chat with during a one-hour run. And I'm sure it influences on my (good) mood.
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