You are your body or your soul?

I often notice I'm made up of two Me, at least when it's related with running. It is always two, not three nor four. I'm not sure do these enough to be called "dual personality" (and no I'm not going to Google because with the vast information I'll end up believing I have one), but they did communicate, and took charge. The two Me I'm referring to are 1) My body 2) My soul

The training session today make me to write it.

I was having 16km aerobic run today with a target pace 5:15/km. I haven't recover from the heavy training for past few days and last week. Leg was heavy, posture was awkward, head unable to look straight, catching short breath and pushing hard to move. The tempo run yesterday was unable to maintain target pace, and recovery run two days ago was cut short.

First 3 km at the pace about 5:30/km but the feeling was like at the 35km of marathon. It's like sugar running low and have no way to resource more energy but to strive for it. At the 5th KM I was thinking "how about just make it a 8km today?" The pace was fluctuating between 5:20/km to 5:45/km. The body was saying, "this is it, I can broke anytime".

At 300m to complete the 8th km, I heard a fast pace of steps coming from behind. Another runner were coming by. The brisk steps do some magic. I find my leg muscle loosen up and were able to take up pace. A funny inertia developed and I am able to pace with that runner. The runner overtook me at about last 100m and I maintain the pace. Suddenly the tired body gone away and I decided to complete today's training at the scheduled distance. That 8th km was done at 5:10/km pace.

The pace after the appearance of that secret runner become faster, between 5:05/km-4:55/km. The leg went on and on, and the stride were smoother. I couldn't figure out the reasons, might be the effect of that pacer that stimulate the body, or mind? How does it work?

At about 200m to complete 13th KM, another angel appeared. This time was a little kid, 3-4 year old, walking with unstable step towards my direction. Saw me coming, he was smiling and try to stop my way by running towards me. His action put a smile on my face, and lighten my heart. Suddenly everything was so relax and easy. I found the wind blowing bring away the heat, the tall trees around the field suddenly visible within my vision. Every breath was like good-graded fuel, and the sun nicely goes down behind the mountain at far depict a beautiful color of sky.

I suddenly though of all the good things. The good run I've took part. The good training. And recall how my mind was filling thought when I run, and how it affect my body.

I finish the last few KMs with pace about 4:50-4:55/km. And I wonder why. Where is that tiredness? What is the secret between body performance and the mind? Who is in charge? What measure your real performance? Your physiological parameter? or your spirit? or the talking you made to your soul?

I guess the interaction is there all the time. But under a strenuous condition, the condition become obvious.

I wonder do other runners share the same experience as mine?