Thursday, October 30, 2014

Trust Your Training (in retrospect, kind of a #TBT post)

A couple days ago, I posted this on the wall of one of my marathon training groups:

I received tons of helpful encouragement...which isn't surprising. This group is pretty awesome. Their responses also reminded me of something important: the race is the culmination of training...and it's important to trust in that training to get you over the finish line.

So, with 30 - yes THIRTY - days to go until my first full, and with my first 20-miler on Saturday, I've taken a moment to review the highs of this training cycle so far.

I've been running outside. Last year I gave in to the temptation of AC in the sweltering summer months and ran on the treadmill for every run...even my long runs. That meant my first 15-miler ever was done in the gym while watching The Fast and the Furious. (No wonder it seemed so quick and easy; I had lots of eye candy to distract me!) This year, I dropped my gym membership to avoid the 'mill and ran every single training run outside, which has made me mentally and physically stronger.
I've been exploring new routes to keep myself interested; the golf course behind my house is a new favorite spot.
I've been cross-training. I know working on my core and upper body has made me a stronger runner.
Deck of cards workout: done!
I've been dedicated to my speed work. I slipped for a couple weeks, but have been fairly consistent in running the bridge of doing 400s whenever my plan calls for them.
...even if speed work means bridge repeats at 4:30am before work.
I've completed my long runs. Even if some were slower than planned, I got them done. And I've enjoyed them most of the time. Conquering long runs also means I've been finessing and perfecting my fueling on the run.

I've avoided injury and burnout. My plan only calls for three runs a week, and while this plays with my head sometimes, I do think it's the best kind of plan for me, at least right now. I can balance work and catch up on sleep more easily, I can fully recover from each run, and I haven't felt bored or hateful toward running like I have during other training cycles.
My love affair continues.
Looking back at the last sixteen weeks, I know I've come a long way. I still have doubts about certain aspects of my training, but I'm really trying to focus on the positives. Once I have twenty miles under my belt, I think I'll really feel ready to tackle the Space Coast. (If someone can ever feel "ready" for a marathon!)
And before you know it, race month is a weekend away!
And hopefully that "ready" feeling will last me through November, because the hardest part of training is right around the corner!

On race day, do you trust your training?
How do you get yourself psyched up for a milestone run?

ABK

12 comments:

  1. When I tackled my 20-miler I had only run up to 17 miles at that point. Going another three miles seemed hard, but I did a lot of research on long runs before the Big 20 Day. I learned that once you can run for two and a half hours straight your body doesn't really make any more physical gains, it's your mind that has to carry you the rest of the way. Knowing that I could "easily" run for 2.5 hours helped me feel easy about the physical aspect of it which also gave me a mental boost!

    Check this post out, I think you'll like it!
    http://runnersconnect.net/coach-corner/are-you-putting-too-much-emphasis-on-the-long-run-as-part-of-your-marathon-training

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny because once I got to the 2.5 hour mark today I was almost done with this run! Knowing that I could run for three hours easily help me know that I could finish today. You share this article with me before; it's really interesting!

      Delete
  2. You will so definitely nail your 20 miler :) I have so much respect for you training for a marathon - seriously, what you are doing is flipping awesome! Your training is definitely solid - trust yourself and have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're going to rock this 20-miler. It seems like your attitude is different this time around. You have been SO positive about every run, even the ones you felt disappointed by. I am absolutely loving reading about your training. You inspire me to MAYBE run a marathon some day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have definitely tried to be way more positive this time around. I think that it has helped me be more successful with all of my runs and has kept me motivated and stop me from getting burned out!

      Delete
  4. What a good idea to list out all the things you have done in your training this year - and well - and how it's different from before. Yes, every new challenge is intimidating (every new long distance, every bump up in speed training), so, trust the training. And know that whatever happens, you will learn from it. And you don't have to do it "beautifully", you just have to do it. Looking forward to hearing about it afterwards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I repeated that to myself over and over today! "You don't have to do a beautifully you just have to do it." That seriously help me get through, although honestly it was pretty beautiful!

      Delete
  5. Dang now I am pumped FOR YOU. You got this, Ali. You have the mental and physical strength to make it 20 miles! Just get out there and keep moving one foot in front of the other. I am SO excited for you. I remember my first 20 miler. I don't remember the pain, I just remember finishing and feeling like the biggest bad ass in the world! YOU ARE GOING TO BE BAD ASS TOMORROW! GO GET IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At this moment I definitely remember the pain because I'm still feeling it, but I also feel like a major bad ass!!

      Delete
  6. I definitely have so much anxiety when I start increasing my mileage - but I find that it's easier to do when you don't overthink it. Soon you'll be worrying about running 23 miles not 20! I also find that having a really good playlist helps :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll be skipping straight from 20 to the full 26.2...so I guess I have to just deal with that next milestone of worry haha!

      Delete