I’m joining Amanda from Running with Spoons again for some thinking out loud. Don’t you just love that I’ve started doing a brain dump on you on Thursdays???
As you might imagine, the topic most on my mind right now is my upcoming marathons. I’m not really going taper crazy (although there is this weird pain in my foot…), but I am starting to get nervous. My training plan went really well, so I should be fine, but I have a problem.
I’m struggling to not set goals. There. I said it.
I know my goal should be to finish upright. A bonus would be finishing with a smile. I should stop right there. I’ve never run two marathons in the same weekend before. Heck, I’ve never run two marathons in the same YEAR before. (I know, who goes from one marathon every 5 years to 2 in one weekend? This idiot. This one right here.)
But, guys, I really want to finish them each in under 5 hours. I know. I should let it go, but I keep coming back to it. 4:59:59 would be perfect for the first day (and really for the second as well, although I kind of want to run the second one faster.)
I’m crazy, right? I mean just ’cause I ran back to back 18 milers at paces that would make this happen doesn’t mean I should!
And if someone tells me they completed a marathon, I’m impressed. I don’t care how fast you did it, I’m going to be impressed. (OK, if you completed it in under 3 hours, I’m going to be in awe.) Run, walk, crawl, any way you finish, it’s an impressive feat. So, why do I have this hangup about me taking longer than 5?
Who wants to come over and slap some sense into me?
While you are doing that, we can start obsessing about the weather. Why yes, we are 10 days out from the first one. Perfect weather, which means I’m sure it will change (last night when I checked, there were lots of showers on this…).
And it’s time to start obsessing about my outfit for the first day. I know what I’m wearing for the second one – Kim and I are going all matchy matchy again.
Blue top, Gotham skirt – different shoes…
But I don’t know what I want to wear for the first one and I have so many new skirts I don’t know where to start.
Speaking of skirts, Skirt Sports has a sale going on and you don’t want to miss out. No codes allowed because the prices are just that good. I recommend getting the Aspen capris before they are gone for good. I have them in grey and they are the most comfortable pants ever. I may have gotten a pair of pink to add to my collection. Ahem.
(Wow, this post is more stream of consciousness than thinking out loud LOL)
[Tweet “Run two marathons in the same weekend? That’s crazy! #embracethecrazy #realwomenmove #fitfluential”]
Happy Thursday! What are you thinking about today???
Lucky for my readers I had a product review today–I’m sparing them from my flight of ideas. Tomorrow is Runfessions, tho, so there’s that…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Product review: SPIBelt
Ha! My poor readers… Think out loud Thursday and runfessions…
Goodness, lady. But you know what? I think, no I KNOW you can do it. After all, running a marathon is easy, right???
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Fight Your Fight — Thinking Out Loud
Exactly. ;o) Thanks!
It’s natural to set goals, good luck!
Lesley recently posted…All Those Paris Movies
Thanks!
Seeing as I could never imagine running a marathon at this point, I definitely have mad respect for anyone who finishes one, and I think the main goal should be finishing strong rather than finishing at a specific time. BUT, I totally get wanting to do your best, so I don’t think it’s horrible to have a general goal in place to motivate you, as long as you don’t let it crush you. Aim big, but if you fall a little short, take it for what it is — a chance to learn and do better next time!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #127 .
I think that’s the key – not letting the goal crush me. If the pace feels good, I’ll go with it, but I need to be willing to slow down if necessary.
I think it’s fine to set up goals, why not reach for a sub 5 hour marathon. But have a couple of A,B,C goals that way you won’t end up disappointed if you don’t reach your A goal.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #29 & Giveaway Winner
I’m gonna call it an A just to finish, so I’ll set up some A+ and A++ goals LOL.
I have been fighting off a cold the last two days and I am trying to stop my nose from running. Right now it is all I can think about! LOL
I have to teach a bunch of classes the next few days and just want to breathe normally.
Margo recently posted…What Did We Learn This Month? Health magazine with Tracy Anderson on the Cover @goodhealth
Ugh, I hear you – although mine is running from allergies…
I am IMPRESSED and a bit in awe, too. Can’t wait to read how it all goes! I hope you have a great weekend!
Elle recently posted…Plantain Sandwich Bread
Thanks! I’m nervous, but I’m sure I’ll be fine once I start running.
I’d slap some sense into you but you know your body and it seems you do well with this back to back stuff so if sub-5 is what you desire, go for it. You’ve got one helluvan endurance base and you can always scale back if things go pear-shaped. All the best with it!
Marcia recently posted…Mother’s Day Gift Ideas & Deals
Thank you. I know I can run long and slow. The big test will be if I can do 8 more miles each day at that pace…
Girl you can totally do it. We should set high goals for ourselves as long as we can stay healthy and know when to stop. So excited for you!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Improve your Running Game with Champion’s #ALLGAINNOPAIN clothing line!
Thanks for your confidence. I’m bottling everyone’s confidence up to pull out when I’m struggling next weekend. Gah! Next weekend!
I cannot even wrap my head around one marathon so don’t event get me started on the thought of running two…much less with a time goal! But you seem to be rocking the back-to-back run thing so I have no doubt if you put your mind to it that you’ll make it happen!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…BAA 5K – A Family Tradition
Thanks. I’m fairly certain I’ll finish. Just don’t know how fast LOL.
You’re not crazy! It’s good to have goals to motivate you! I agree with Jen, though – maybe some A, B, C goals so that you can push yourself but not feel disappointed if for some reason you’re A goal doesn’t happen.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Fit, Focused & Fun Finds (from around the web!) #31
I think I’m going to have A+, A, and A- – if I just finish these races, I deserve an A LOL.
Sounds like a normal thing to want to do but also sounds like a pretty difficult thing to do. We can always dream big but hey, just doing those two races so close together would be a HUGE feat so…no matter what happens you should feel proud!
Tiffany recently posted…Hard Drive History
Thanks! I know I should just take it easy and enjoy the experience. Guess we’ll see how I feel that day.
I am nervous about my first full marathon in October, but everyone else makes it sound so easy 😉
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…3 Ingredient Berries & Champagne Cobbler {Gluten Free, Vegan}
It’s not easy, but if you are trained, it’s doable. And it’s awesome. Which marathon?
I think it is totally natural to want to set goals for ourselves. You have rocked your back to back training runs! I definitely think that you can run the paces you set your sights on for the weekend! And, I hear you on the skirt collection. Mine is fairly ridiculous too 😉
Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…It’s #thinkingoutloud Thursday!
And I want MORE. I want all.the.things.
I know you can do it! You’ve done series of half marathons, so just think of it as 4 in two days.
HoHo Runs recently posted…It’s Rewarding
Ha! I love that!
You have the most endurance for these long back-to-back runs of anyone I know!! I can’t wait to hear all about your double marathons!!!
Kim recently posted…Too Many Rewards?
Thanks. The beauty of it is that there’s no time limit, so I need to just enjoy the experience.
Hope your foot pain goes away. Set goals, just don’t be to hard on yourself either way! You are going to rock these marathons either way! Just remember, there is always another race 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Oven Baked Salmon
Thanks. Seems to have just been one of those weird one day pains LOL. Love taper and the crazies…
That’s so exciting to do two back to back! I understand getting a little hung up on goal times though. My first marathon is in the fall and I’m already slightly stressed about getting it done under six hours. Even 5:59:59 would be okay with me! Really, I should just be happy to finish my first without injury, but it seems like most runners are tough on themselves…I guess it is in our nature, the reason why we’d do something like a marathon in the first place. Good luck! I’m eager to hear how it goes for you!
Jessica recently posted…What’s next on the training plan for TWR?
Thanks! Don’t worry about your marathon time yet – save the worry for when it’s closer LOL.