Today I planned to run an easy four miles. I ended up doing only 2.5 and walking the rest of the way home. It was a horrible, slow, slog of a run and I was just D.O.N.E. at the 2.5 mile point. Could I have pushed myself and finished? Probably. Did I have it in me mentally to get it done? Nope.
Possible causes for it sucking:
- It’s 70 degrees and sunny out there, for the first time this spring.
- Even though my stomach bug was only 24 hours and not particularly bad, I didn’t eat or drink much for a day.
- My legs are still wrecked from the hills.
I wonder, though, if these are valid reasons and it was smart to listen to my body or if I’m just making excuses for wussing out? I don’t really know.
I have 20 miles on tap for tomorrow with an expected high of 90. I am not a warm weather runner by any stretch of the imagination. I’d postpone the run, but what if the marathon is hot? The race director won’t be postponing the race just because I don’t run well in the heat.
I’m struggling mentally with this race. It’s normal for me to freak out the day before and morning of a race. I’m always convinced I can’t do it, even if “it” is only a 10k. But I have nearly 6 weeks to go and a fair amount of training left and I’m already questioning why I’m doing this. I had hoped that taking it easy for a week would help me get mentally back in the game. While it did allow me to have some really enjoyable runs, it didn’t really get me excited about really long runs. Maybe my original decision that marathons are not a good distance for me was right.
No, no , no…. KEEP at it and STICK to it! Really, truly, you'll run through the tiredness, be FINE and be PROUD of yourself. Marathons are hard. The long and constant training can sometimes suck. And the last 6 miles can be the toughest. Be STRONG and the payoff will be there for you. And I bet that after you finish, you'll wonder what you were worrying about ;D At every starting line, I STILL wonder if I can do it. And you know what, EVERY time I can. Running marathons has taught me mental toughness. You'll get there. Brooke
There must be something in the air–besides a ridiculous amount of pollen. I've been feeling really down and frustrated too, but you'll get through it! It looks like, no matter what, the weather just isn't going to cooperate with us this year 😉 but you're still going to be great. Good luck with the run today–whatever you get through is good. 20 miles the week of a half is quite a lot.
Excuses are things you tell yourself to validate a particular action. For example, I had a rough day so I am going to have a bucket of fries. What you listed don't look like excuses to me.
i know you will do it! don't let the weather stop you. i believe in you!
I dont think your points were excuses. They look pretty valid to me. Sometimes we just have those days. You're going to rock your 20 miler tomorrow!
If the marathon is hot then you will make it through, but you wont be getting over a stomach bug so it will be different and much better! Sorry your run was bad, maybe try later after you have had something to eat.
It's normal to get discouraged like that during marathon training – just part of the mental toll of working so hard for a long time! You are doing an awesome job. That being said, maybe you should consider cutting your 20 down by a couple of miles. While the race day may be hot, it is early spring and you are not reacclimated to running in heat yet. You have to take care of yourself!
I'm impressed you were able to run 2.5 miles considering…don't give yourself a hard time over this.As for the marathon distance…I have a feeling you'd regret quitting more than you'd regret getting it done. Hang in there…
I am having this exact same problem. No joke. I have 6.5 weeks till race day and the enthusiasm for any kind of run is almost completely gone now, but most especially for the long runs. Maybe if we try not to fixate on it, it'll sort itself out? We can but hope. Good luck!
Those weren't excuses. I've had to learn the hard way to listen to your body when it's telling you to take it easy. Sometimes a run is just going to plain fall on it's butt and you've got to follow what your body tells you. Otherwise you risk injuring yourself. Keep with your training. This race is still over a month away and you might find your purpose for it between now and then.
I tend to go through this with about 5-6 weeks left until the marathon too (and going through it right now!) Hang in there – it does get better! Try to think of how you'll feel race day/crossing that finish line. It helps a little 🙂 Good luck with the 20!
I think the weather around here has been really tough on runners this year. All of the snow, and then a really sudden change to full-out summer. It takes a while for your body to adjust to running in 5-10 degree temp change, and I think we've had a 30-40 degree temp change in the past two weeks. But I agree with everyone. You're strong and you can keep at it. You'll always be glad you did. And 20 miles in 90-degree will suck on your body, but think of the kind of mental muscle you are building with a run like that. Even if you decide to cut it down, the fact that you're out there at all is what's really awesome. Keep kicking ass. 🙂
Stick with it! You will be fine and your mental game will come back. We all have rough days. Bad runs. The fact that we get back out there is what seperates us from the non-runners. Be proud of all you do. I know you'll rock!
I am with you on the hot weather thing…I feel the same way…which is why I dread the summers in Houston (hot and humid). Everyone is always looking forward to the summertime, and I always have this stupid look on my face when I hear someone say that. I would rather run in the 30s, then the 80s. BUT…you know you can do this…you are just having a mental hiccup…those just get you sometimes. You have committed and you will follow through…you know you will. Perhaps after the marathon, you could focus on 1/2s. That is what I have decided to do. I did one marathon about 9 years ago and now that I have kids, I have decided that I don't have time for the marathon training. BUT, YOU can do this…you are so close. GOOOOOO MCM Mama!!!
agree with Jamoosh. and not just because we live near each other either. :o)you can do without a freaking 4 miler … that aint gonna make or break ya honey.
Those are all valid reasons. I know you well enough to confirm that you were not merely making excuses. You run 20 milers then go directly to pick up our kids at school! You are not one for making excuses. Chalk it up to a bad run. The first ones in the heat are always killer.Good luck with the big one tomorrow. Remember that you need to drink more!
You can do it! You will rock!
I read a post like that and think to myself, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no." Whatever is going on that conspires to make your body and mind converge at some low point HAS to be overlooked. It will pass. Promise. If it doesn't pass in a solid 6-month period, then perhaps start to give it credence. It will pass.
I heard there were record highs in the Midwest and East, that certainly IS affecting the running! Gold thing you cut the run short so you can rest up for the 20 tomorrow. I hope the temps aren't too bad!
Don't underestimate how badly you can feel during a run because of hot/sunny weather. I do think you should postpone your 20-miler by a few days if at all possible. Just because it likely will not be a high of 90 on race day, and you do not want to over-exert yourself to an extent at which you can't recover. If you do run in tomorrow's weather at your normal long run pace, it will be very difficult and not at all an "easy" pace. So either be prepared to slow down by about 0:30/mile or try and postphone it! Just my $0.02!
I say listen to ur body. In the grand scheme of ur training 4 miles doesn't really mean much, I mean, u can do that in ur sleep, its not going to make or break ur marathon. If u find urself skipping/cutting short a lot of miles then that's not good, but once and a while who cares! If ur not feeling it, you're not feeling in. Listening to your body is the smartest thing u can do as a runner! Good luck tomorrow!
I'm a fan of listening to your body. I'm also coming off the 'injured reserve' list finally, so that's my perspective.
it's freaking hot out there!
Listen to your body I am horrible in 90 degree weather. I think you have to be sensible. Don't get heat stroke and all that. Where is the race? What are the chances of 90 degrees? Can you do a few miles in it to acclimate and do the rest later…..a different day? I'm probably not being much help but I feel your pain.
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Like everyone else, I say don't let this run get to you! A little loss of motivation is totally normal but you'll get through it! We're not acclimated to the weather yet (to me, 80 felt today like 100 would in the summer) – it's cooling down again this weekend and you'll be feeling it again.
You are the 2nd blog I've read today who had a crummy run today! Include me in the mix- I did too!Hang in there. I think the self-doubt and questioning is a mandatory part of each training cycle. (It is for me anyways). This is where the mental preparation for the marathon kicks in. Keep on, keep on. You will do it!
How have I missed your blog??? I always see all your nice comments on other people's blogs and think…"I need to check her out!" Well, here I am and I'm glad I stoped by :)Don't beat yourself up – I am no good in warm weather, it just melts you!!! Tomorrow is another day but I know you've heard that already 🙂 Good luck with the 20 – you so have it in the bag!
I had the same run tonight…grrrr must be in the air or something I am sorry MCM it will get better your awesome and we all have bad days…but your an awesome inspiration and runner and although I hate that you had a bad day it makes me feel 1,000% better that someone as awesome of you has these days as well as someone as measly as me!! have a cold one on this very HOT night….
Oh, it sounds like you had my crappy run from Wednesday:( It was the same thing for me…lower 70's and something was off. I would just take a day off and go out again the following day:) I promise things will look up! Keep in mind that you just ran a half marathon and your body might be trying to tell you something! Hang in there:)
NO NO NO NO NO. You can do this, you can SOO do this and KILL this race! One day at a time, I totally agree that a lot of it is mental, you got it though, you've been killing your runs, you listen to your body when it needs to rest, and man,you're MCM Mama, you got this!!! Dig deep it's in there, I know it is!!!