Hosted by Marcia's Healthy Slice
I runfess that I am atrocious at keeping up with laundry. Just terrible. And it's worse when I'm running and cross training more frequently, because I only have a limited amount of "preferred" workout clothes, so the smelly pile gets to a certain point before I'm diving back in to find the GOOD pair of shorts to wear for my long run. Wanna hear something really gross? I wore shorts the other day that were still soaked from sweat (not rain, just sweat) from the race I'd run a week prior. The shorts had been in a plastic bag in my backseat marinating for days, but they were the "good ones" and I needed them for the long run, so I held my breath and pulled them on. It was bad. I should be embarrassed, but they're the good shorts and this is a runfession, so... Yeah.
I runfess that I hate morning runs - but I love them at the same time. I'm writing this fresh off my second day in a row of waking up a little earlier and getting in a few miles before work, and I just can't see myself learning to make a habit of it. My life has been plagued with insomnia and difficulty falling asleep even when I'm exhausted, so when I finally DO fall asleep, I want to cling to every last second of it. Getting up to run (which then means showering and probably having wet hair all day) is completely unappealing. But then, when I actually wake up and run, the rest of my day feels so good! I'm more alert, feel better about myself, and more relaxed because I'm not worrying about fitting my run in after work when I want to do other things. Supposedly, there's a way to "train" your body to be a morning person. We'll see how that goes once I have my own place and can dictate my morning routine without bumping into my parents the whole time. (Yup, that's just an excuse to not start right away. Pass me my pillow, please.)
I runfess that I am starting to actually like hill training! It's surprising me to say this, but after a few weeks of tackling a particularly nasty big hill in the local Metropark, I think I'm enjoying the challenge of running up that beast. Seeing results in my split times at my usual RPE helps me look at the elevation work in a more positive light. Sure, it's awful to be pushing step by step up the steepest grade incline within 20 miles of home, but when you get to the top (and especially when you get to go back to the bottom), it's soooooo worth it!
I runfess that I am pushing through some little muscle and joint niggles that I probably shouldn't be. My mileage is increasing, and I'm noticing a couple of consistent points of pain or strain that could end up causing problems. But I'm also finally "on a roll" with training, and feeling good overall, so rather than cutting back, I am instead trying to improve my recovery game even more. I've also switched my running strategy for the long runs, and have made friends with that old running adage "go slower to go faster." By incorporating a run-walk strategy into my training, I'm already seeing a reduction in muscle strain. With my six-in-six half marathon goal almost complete, and the Marine Corps Marathon shortly after my sixth half, there just isn't time to go backwards, but hopefully I am making the right adjustments to keep me healthy.
And finally... I runfess that I'm a little scared about this marathon thing. I don't like admitting that I'm scared, but with only two months to go before I attempt 26.2, the nerves are twitching and I'm getting apprehensive. Seeing big numbers on my training calendar is scary too - this weekend's 14 miler will actually be my longest run ever, and they only get longer over the next few weeks. Fortunately I have a running buddy who will join me for at least one of those super long monstrosities, and I've been feeling pretty good with most of my training lately, but it's still all so new and intimidating. Trying to put my doubts aside and focus instead of appreciating just how much I really AM capable of doing, and hopefully that'll carry me through.
What do you have to runfess this month? Any tricks for staying on top of laundry a little better? How about assurances that running a marathon will NOT actually kill me? And don't forget to check out everyone else's Runfessions and Friday Fives - click the icons to visit the linkup home pages!
Hosted by the DC Trifecta!
Oh how I remember when I trained for my first marathon....I had done a lot of half marathons, but the idea of actually running farther (and not getting a medal for it) was daunting. When I ran that first 15-miler, what a rush! And every long run that followed was great because I was running distances that I'd never done before ;-) Don't let the double digits scare you!
ReplyDeleteI think once I do one or two, even if they're not the longest ones, I'll be more adjusted to the REAL "long run" mentality. Or at least, I'm hoping...
DeleteI am so bad at keeping up w laundry too! I also hate mor ing runs. I am so tired the rest of the day. I like to sleep in and be able to run later if my schedule allows for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so hot that I have had to wait until like 11pm if I'm going to run at night with any safety, so I tried a few mornings. With the early humidity, it wasn't much better!
DeleteI think it's pretty darn normal to be scared of a marathon. You know what wouldn't be normal? Not being scared!
ReplyDeleteRun/walk works for me, even for short races. I don't walk for very long though (it's amazing how quickly 30 seconds go by).
Yup, I do about 45 seconds of walking every time I hit a mile marker right now. My splits have actually gone down since starting this pattern!
DeleteAlso, this might be the first time I'm being told I'm "normal" ;)
Don't focus on the whole 26.2. Focus instead on the incremental distance that is new to you. You know you can run 13 so what's one mile more? That's how I built my miles up. MCM is a great race and by the time things really get hard you'll smell that finish line and there are wonderful crowds (and donuts) that'll carry you right through. Thank for linking.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at donuts.
DeleteI'm most worried about the course sweeps at MCM, but I *think* I'll be okay. I like this idea of just adding a mile or two mentally, that will help, thanks!
I love early morning runs but I loathe hill training! Which is pretty funny since I had to train for that Big Sur Marathon. You will be fine. Just take it one workout at a time.
ReplyDelete