At my work, we do “deprivation research” to test new product concepts. Let’s say we are launching a new shampoo, we would replace people’s current shampoo with the new shampoo for a few weeks, and then give them back their old shampoo, and then ask them how they feel about the new shampoo vs their old shampoo. If the scores for the old shampoo is significantly lower after they have tried the new shampoo, we know we have a winning product.
This was what happened to me today.
I was originally planning to do a 12km recovery run but Lisa needed to go to Ikea. So since I was a hockey playoffs widow tonight, I decided to run with her to Ikea. By the time we got to Ikea, I had done 13km. So I thought, I should just do 6 more so I won’t have to do 19km on Saturday. This would be a good way to “taper” for the indoor triathlon on Sunday.
So when we got to Ikea, I continued on my own for another 6km. This is where the deprivation study concept kicked in. I was deprived of my running buddy and I had to run on my own for 6 whole kilometres! It’s the longest I’ve run by myself (in Toronto) since joining the RunNinjas and I HATED it! It took so much will power to get to my turnaround point, I felt so dehydrated, and my pace was much slower than when I was running with Lisa. No wonder people hate running! I hated running too! This shows my pace where I was significantly slower in the last 6km.😣
Just goes to show the importance of running with others. It has really been the game changer for me. I really felt I deserved the Wednesday Night Champion of the World belt tonight but I really wouldn’t be running so much without Lisa, Jim, and the rest of the North York RunNinjas. Thank you!
Nutrition log:
- Pre-run: orange and banana 90 minutes before
- Mid-run: sesame snaps and water
- Post-run: 2 slices of pizza, Milo with milk, 1/4 cup macadamia nuts
joysofrunning 
First off, congrats on the 19km, and making your schedule work for you this week. You deserve all seven days of the championship belt. I agree that Jim is a game changer, the ninjas are awesome, and our mini ninja-like group on Monday and Thursday is responsible for making you consistent. I just want to say this… No body moves your legs but you, and nobody puts in the work for you. If your headspace feels like it needs to deflect attention away from you and on to others, that’s fine. I’m just here letting you know that you don’t need others to be the one everyone is chasing. You just have to make your headspace understand that you are the same runner with or without those you are comfortable with.
Also… Indoor triathlon? You make me smile hearing that 🙂
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Thanks Dave! We miss you! I was telling Lisa that I always secretly hope the lights at every intersection is red. But tonight, almost every light was green – but about to turn red – so we had to sprint to get through them. I’m glad that we sprint through them but I also don’t think I would sprint if I was on my own. Running with others really helps to push me. I think it’s great that we are there to push each other!
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Dave, I agree that she is the one putting in all the work, unstoppable & very deserving of the belt but at the same time I agree with her. The company helps a lot or at least makes it more enjoyable & the accountability is also a key element. No, she doesn’t need others but I do think it makes the journey sweeter. Reminds me of an African Proverb “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Although this is counter to Joyce’s post :p ‘cos she went quickly with company. I can definitely relate to this post as I don’t enjoy running alone #solemate
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New proverb: “If you want to go quickly and far, go with Lisa” 🤣
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Thanks, Joyce. Work got the better of me this week, and had to take time to make some distinct choices with work and life. My eating habits went a little sideways as well. I think I also freaked myself out a little with my cycling FTP number… and was not ready to own up to my own progress.
As someone whose planning on running with you guys for a while, and thinking you might be in a similar headspace, I wanted to bring something up about all of your progress — because I’ve been in the mindset of not giving yourself enough credit… which I’m now realizing you may or may not have been experiencing. I’m also not always the quietest, keep things to yourself, kind of person LoL.
Yes… We all go further with Lisa. #GFWL 😉
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