Thank.Goodness.It’s.Rest.Day.
My body is feeling pretty beat up. In the past five days, I ran 31.7 miles over the course of 5 runs. I’ve run more than 30 miles a week less than 20 times in my entire running career. Based on my records, I usually manage it once or twice when training for a goal half marathon race and about five times for a marathon.
And this is just the beginning. In March, I will run 65 miles over the course of five days.
What I’ve learned so far:
1. Naps are a runner’s best friend. I suck at getting enough sleep, so some days I just need to recharge. People who know me, know I never nap. Apparently running a lot is harder on me than a newborn.
2. Eating enough is essential. I admit, I have a few pounds to lose. I’m sitting above my “happy range” by 3 pounds and I really like to be more near the bottom of the range. But, finding the balance between eating enough to fuel the mileage and still lose weight has been a challenge.
3. Time on my feet is more important than speed. Running fast is awesome, but running far is where I need to be right now. My “recovery pace” is right around an 11 minute mile now. It KILLS me to have lost so much speed, but pushing a tired body to go faster while I’m piling on the miles = a huge recipe for disaster.
4. Listen to your body. So far, I’ve only had one unplanned day when my body suggested I rest instead of run. Today was planned and my body is thanking me. Five days in a row is my personal max.
5. Trust the process. Even though I’ve run plenty of half marathons and two full marathons, some days I have a hard time believing that I can get from *here* to *there*. But it’s happening. And I have to have faith that if I eat right, sleep when I can, and listen to my body, that in just over 100 days, I’ll be completing that 5th half marathon. And maybe even still be able to walk.
What has running/training taught you lately?
HBBC
Total HBBC points = 135.8
HBBC Week 3 – 35.6
Thursday =6.3 (4.3 miles + veggies + FB)
Wednesday = 12 (10 mile run+veggies+FB)
Tuesday = 10 (7 mile run+ veggies + FB + raking leaves)
Monday = 7.3 (5.3 mile run + veggies + FB)
HBBC Week 2 – 46.8
HBBC Week 1 – 50.4
HBBC pre-bonus points – 3
#3 is so true. You can work on speed. Or distance. Unfortunately working on both at the same time is a recipe for injury.
Nice job on the long mileage training!
Sleep is definitely a runner’s best friend. The body needs sleep’s recovery efforts. Plus, dang, it just feels good!
#4 🙂
So much is about the recovery isn’t it. Train hard then recover hard. But honestly I’d like to nap even if I wasn’t training.
I’ve learnt to listen to my body better and know when I’m pushing myself too hard. I’ve also learnt how long I need to rest for. I usually want to get back out there asap but this time I’m thanking myself for the time away. It was hard but totally worth it!
I’ve also learnt that running is for me and to me. I’m only competing against myself and I’m also taking care of myself through my running and all that goes with it. This is something I repeat in my head during a race when the going gets tough. 🙂
Listening to my body’s been my biggest lesson – which is how today turned into a rest day for me 🙂 Still gotta work on getting more sleep. Congrats on the great mileage this week!
Hi..this is Jen from Team Vixen!
Love your blog.
I also agree naps are good
naps! good idea. Actually biking makes me want a nap more. what i learned from running: it’s the best way to start my day. even when I don’t wanna…