So, I usually just post positive, encouraging messages…that’s my mission. But, I have been told that posting the good, bad, and ugly can be encouraging…in that we can commiserate. So, here it is!
After a spectacular week of training – a great 12 mile “run more than walk” last Sunday, my first “run the whole three miles” mid-week, and a strong run on Friday night…I was flying high. I even consulted with Coach Lea, as I knew that this week was bringing me into new territory – with my planned 14 miles on Sunday, it would be the longest mileage I’ve ever done.
Then, Sunday came back around.
I’m half-way through the “official” 16-week marathon training plan, and I have hit the proverbial wall. I remember this feeling from my half-marathon training last year, so I’m not surprised – but it still is defeating.
Yesterday, I woke up feeling less than motivated to go out. The weather was icky (not as bad as it could have been, but not the sun from the previous week). I was achy. Holiday cookie baking on Saturday wasn’t good to me. I didn’t eat BADLY, but I didn’t FUEL for my Sunday run, either. I set out, nonetheless, committed to power through my planned 14 miles, but things didn’t look up.
First, RunKeeper had me at .6 miles – just 30 seconds out of our house! WOW! Actually, that’s been my frustration with RunKeeper…sometimes the GPS function is just “wonky.” However, I knew the route I planned to use is ~3.5 miles, and running it 4 times would allow me to refuel & use my own CLEAN bathroom (after a disgusting encounter with a porta-potty last week). So, RunKeeper aside, I powered on. My first two laps were a struggle, not great, time-wise, but I felt encouraged knowing I was battling inner demons – I was out there.
I headed out for the third lap, and at mile 9 I was “all in.” I nearly called dear husband to come and pick me up, but thought, I can WALK 1.5 miles home. I was close to tears…I hurt, I was discouraged, and the cold was biting. (Mind you, it wasn’t COLD-cold…just wet, Northwest cold.) As I neared home, I realized that there was no way I was going to complete the third lap in time to make it to my massage appointment on time, not even close. So, I decided to call it a day…at 10.5 miles.
Now, I realize…10.5 miles isn’t too shabby. In fact, two years ago 1/10th of that mileage was a “workout” for me. And, just a few months ago, 3 miles was my typical “training run.” I’m doing a GREAT job. But, it wasn’t what I had planned.
I headed to my massage – thank you Kristen Clearwater for being there for me on Sunday afternoons! – and really got the nastiness worked out. This is not the kind of massage you think of getting for R&R – laying on the beach, or at the spa of a cruise ship. This is more like another workout…keeping the body functioning. However, it was absolutely what I needed yesterday. In fact, afterward I sucked it up and walked home at a very leisurely pace – logging a little more than two miles.
All told, I put in 12.75 miles yesterday. NOT what was planned, NOT my longest run yet…but definitely 12.75 miles more than if I had given in to the morning feeling and bagged the day altogether. This was technically a “recovery” week, so I recovered.
Tomorrow starts a new training week. (Mondays are rest days, after long Sunday runs.) I’m back on my game. This week I WILL conquer my miles (Lord willing & the creek don’t rise!). Because, in spite of it all, I’m still Living My Fit Dreams.
