Weigh-in this week went well. I was down 5.2 pounds so the gain I put on last week is gone (yeah!) so I'm sure some of it was directly related to the race and the fact that I was probably retaining water after the race. So, let's do a little foreshadowing here - I'm guessing after the half marathon I'll gain ... eh ... about 7 pounds. Oh yes, I'm planning on having a massive cookie after that race! Onto other things....
I said when I started this blog that we'd talk about the good, the bad and everything in between and this is one of those "bad" posts. As I wrote the last post about the half marathon update I realized how far we've come but also that the half marathon date is really close. Tomorrow I will go out for my longest distance run ever and the truth is that I am freaking out about it. See... when I did the Hot Chocolate 15K I ended up walking for parts of it and my confidence took a tumble. I thought I'd recovered during the week putting out some really solid miles but over the weekend during a 7 mile run I ended up walking again. My confidence is definitely not where I want it to be going into such a huge challenge.
I've read a lot of other posts and articles recently about how to mentally "muscle" through the challenges and I am hoping that I can but I'm really worried. The fact is that I want to run the full distance (both the 10 miles tomorrow and the half marathon in a couple of weeks) and I've been training to run. On the one hand I know that in the past it has taken me a few tries before I get it right - when I trained to run my first 5K I ended up attempting that race 3-4 times before I finally ran the entire distance. Will that be my fate with the half marathon? On the other hand the fact that I've started running and decided to tackle a half marathon in less than a year is an amazing accomplishment. But, is it enough?
How do you mentally muscle through the long distance runs when your body thinks it wants to stop?
Any songs that you think I should have on my playlist to keep me pumped up? Tell me, please!
Aw, so sorry you're struggling. I can't really offer much advice for muscling through the tough stuff because I can barely make it to run an entire 3 miles!
ReplyDeleteWhatever you decide, be proud of yourself! You've came a long, long way and that is something to be proud of!
Congrats on the nice loss!
You're way stronger than your body thinks it is.
ReplyDeleteMy power-through trick to keep running is just to slow down the pace and focus on my breathing for a while, then picture my finish line fans. That said, I did walk for part of one of the half-marathons I ran this summer and I know it does take its toll on your psyche. But, you know, at the end you still finish. So what if you walk? You're no less awesome for making it.
Remember the race day is a celebration, not a finish line, for all the hard work you've put into training. It IS enough to finish.
(Songs: OK Go, "This Too Shall Pass," Bobby Fuller Four's "Let Her Dance" is a fun one. I have weird running songs.) :)
Have fun. You've got this!
My current favourite song is "Feel the Love", I tend to repeat it while spinning :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I ran the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon a year ago, there was a band that was playing "Celebration" over and over again, it's now one of my favourite workout songs.
One of my "honorary coaches" is a good friend who also happens to be an MD and an Ironman finisher. She's a "real" athlete ... and she walks part of almost all races that are distances longer than 5K. Giving your legs a little break can be a wise strategy, so if you walk some of your half, that's okay! It does not in any way diminish your accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteAs for music, well ... you may be sorry you asked, but here are some of my favorites for getting me through tough runs:
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
99 Red Balloons (cover by Goldfinger)
Domino (Jessie J)
The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)
Suddenly I See (KT Tunstall)
Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield)
Uncharted (Sara Bareilles)
Kick Some Ass (Stroke 9)
Dare You To Move (Switchfoot)
Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Baba O'Riley (The Who)
For some, it's the lyrics. Others, it's just the way the song makes me feel (happy, light, joyful). And for a few, it's a perfect storm of musical wonderment. Enjoy!
First off, I don't know you but I'd like to be BFFs with you for being able to provide that advice!
DeleteAlso, I love love love 99 Red Balloons!! I'm going to look up some of these songs to add to my playlist. Thanks for the suggestions!
Proud to be your BFF, Jen! Rock out with the playlist and do your thang; you're gonna have 13.1 miles of AWESOME.
ReplyDelete