Sunday, September 28, 2008
Victoria Marathon Training - Week 16
As I write this, the Victoria Marathon is two weeks away. I have NOT had a good week of running and today I started seriously considering bailing out of the race. What went wrong this week? Why the sudden (or not so sudden) lack of confidence?
1. I only ran 2 days this week, 5 & 6 miles respectively mainly because I didn't feel like running.
2. I found myself procrastinating a lot about going for runs, a couple of times I procrastinated until it was too dark outside to go.
3. One mile into my Sunday long run (a planned 15 miles) I couldn't make myself do it any more and walked home. Part of it was due to a lot of aches & pains (a recurring theme lately) in my legs and feet. This time it was primarily my right knee. I also tired after an active day of cleaning and doing errands and hadn't eaten for 4 hours....But there was a more powerful factor. It was a lack of will. An complete and utter absence of any desire to run one more step.
I have had some feelings of ambivalence since the Half-Marathon, which I ran on Sept.14th. That race was pretty gruelling for me and during the last few miles I found comfort in the idea of NOT doing the marathon....
Going forward, I am afraid that even if I get right back to my training schedule this week it will be too late to make up for the missed runs. I also fear the aches and pains will come back to haunt me during the marathon, making it extremely unpleasant and resulting in an embarrassing finish time (or a DNF)....which would be harsh.
So, where does this all leave me? Should I just get back on track and stick to the plan of aiming for a 4:15 finish time? Should I just go and do my best and be happy to finish at all? Should I heed the warnings from my knees, hips, ankles, and tendons and take a little break from training? Should I flip a coin?
I'm not sure what to do, to be honest...and would definitely appreciate some feedback...
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9 comments:
Don't let one bad week get you down. You have done all of the really long runs - just hang in there for the last 2! Besides, who else will I watch during the Victoria marathon??
Ian
Keep your chin up, Nicole. The ups and downs are normal.
You've already gone through a tremendous amount of training to get your body ready. I don't think that missing a couple of runs is the end of the world during your taper period.
Ultimately, you've got to make the decision based on how your body feels. No matter what decision you make, there's no shame or embarrassment.
Smile, and the decision will come to you.
are you already registered? (I'm guessing yes)
You know you could just take several more days off and see how you feel.
For what it's worth I never seem to feel good during the last two weeks...
For what it's worth...I'm running the Portland Marathon this Sunday and I have a lot of aches and pains and stiffness right now--but I have felt like this so often during a taper, I just have to trust I've done everything as best as possible and give it a go.
Lori (that's "jensir" on twitter)
Ya--I know, I should consolidate my profiles
Thanks for your comment on my blog Nicole. With your marathon on the same day as mine, I'm sure you've been through many long runs already. One bad one shouldn't discourage you. I think once your mind and body know the time for the marathon is near, you will be prepared to run. I'm no pro at this being a first time marathoner myself, but dammit! I'm going to enjoy this experience and work my ass off to finish- do or die! and you better too!! How's that? :) You'll do great.
Hey RB, You're into your 16th week of training - that's a lot of time focused on one big race. Maintaining the momentum of what motivates you to train hard and frequently is in one word – DRAINING. Training for a marathon requires as much mental strength as it does physical. Positive thoughts will be more important this week than speedwork, stairs or easy runs. Stay positive, relax and more than anything else have fun. If your body doesn’t feel up to it, don’t do it. Live to run another day.
Don't beat yourself up too much Nicole... I suspect the emotional aspect of over-training may be an element of what your feeling. Like Lori Toughnoodles, I will be running Portland as well... and I am having the same sort of symtoms that you describe; can't seem to get motivated to finish the taper properly. I'm cutting myself some slack and so should you... you have achieved the fitness level required to run a marathon and there's no sense putting emotional pressure on yourself now to finish the taper "according to the book". You're not alone... just do what you can. So make Victoria a fun-run... it's a great course and you'll be running with great people. Just enjoy... take care and have a great race.
John in Ladysmith
How about running with a running club for the last couple of long runs? Or perhaps shift your mindset a bit? Maybe concentrate on this being the last long race of the year (it is, isn't it?) and use it as motivation to put together the best effort you can give it so you can end the season on a good note. Just my 2-cent.
Good luck! Rooting for ya.
Good luck Nicole. Here's my unsolicited advice... take that time goal, put it in a box, wrap it in duct tape (three rolls minimum), walk to the closet bridge, and pitch it over. Seriously, if you're hurting, take it easy and enjoy the experience. Save the time goal for another day, another race. Remember, it's all about the journey, not the destination... life's like that. I love your blog... mind if I link to it? Mike
Great job on the marathon! Good time..60's mam
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