There comes a time in all marathon training when you feel like you're just over it. You're tired. You're grumpy. You're in desperate need of sleep and you become keenly aware that you'll never be a foot model. That time came for me this week.
#beechstreetstrong |
This was another back-to-back long runs week. I started out the weekend with a 7 mile run with my friend Lauri. Lauri is trying to make me a morning person. That's never gonna happen but she has helped me get used to getting a workout done in the morning. I have even managed to not strangle anyone at that hour. Granted most people aren't up yet, but I still call that a win. We got our 7 miles done by 7:00 am and I found myself done with day 1 of the back-to-backs.
Unfortunately later that day I found out that my training partner would not be running a long run with me again this week. Our training schedules just aren't syncing up like I'd hoped. It looked like the long runs I had planned with her were probably not going to happen, at least not for a while. A 16 mile run was on the schedule for the next day and I was alone. And terrified. I've never run that far by myself and I didn't really want to now. So in addition to all the other stress of training for a challenge like Dopey while balancing 3 jobs, now I had the stress of trying to find people every week who would be willing to run part or all of my long runs with me.
Thankfully I have some awesome friends. Two of them, Jeffrey and Jill, answered the call and joined me for the first half of my run. It was great to have the company, and even though I knew I'd be alone for the hard part of the run, it helped my mental game to know that I'd only have to do half of them alone.
Thanks Jill and Jeffrey! |
So for the first 8 miles I had company. The next 3 miles went well. But by the time I got to mile 11, I knew I had made a rookie nutrition mistake. The stupid thing was that I knew I was doing it while I did it. That morning before leaving for my run, all I had to eat was a single banana washed down with some water. I knew I needed more calories than that but just couldn't force myself to do it. I'd worry about the consequences later. Later came with a vengeance. Suddenly, and with 6 more miles to go, I was famished. I had taken 2 gels but knew that the paltry 100 calories in each was not going to do much for me. I made a quick decision. I was fairly close to where I parked my car so I ran there to get my debit card and then ran to the closest drug store and bought a granola bar. I can honestly say that was the first time I've gone to a store and bought food mid-run. Might not be the last time though.
The last 5 miles seemed interminable. Having to make 2 bathroom stops and the run for emergency rations, I felt like the last part of the run would never end. But finally it did. And not a moment too soon. I mustered up the energy to smile for a selfie that I could send to my mom to let her know I was alive and then I headed home.
I looked way better than I felt... |
After a run like that, I typically have a hard time deciding if I'm more hungry or tired. This time tired won out. So after my shower, I crawled into my bed. And stayed there. For 3 hours. When I was finally able to get up, my feet hurt so bad that I couldn't bear the thought of wearing shoes. The only thing I was able to put on my feet was my Oofos sandals and since it was pretty chilly out, I had to wear socks. So this is what I looked like when I ventured out of the house to scavenge for food.
Always the fashion-forward runner |
I'm sure it's just a down week. Looking on the positive side, I have friends who rally around me to help me run long distances or who stop to ask me how my training is going, or just put up with the fact that this challenge is never far from my thoughts. I get to see myself making progress every week and that brings a certain satisfaction. And I have a trip to Florida in January to look forward to as a reward for my hard work.
So yeah, this has been a rough week. But the good news is that tomorrow starts a brand new one.
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