Hey Ladies!!
I love coming to this blog for support and encouragement. In 7 years of running (minus a couple for having babies) I have never been this frustrated. I had my race on March 7th that I wrote a report about and then I haven't had a good run since. Each run I feel like I am starting over. My breathing feels off, I have side aches and my legs just feel heavy. I took a couple of days off here and there and came back optimistic, but no real improvement has been had. I had an okay run on Wednesday, followed by a tough run yesterday and an easy run today that didn't feel as easy as I would like. It has been almost a month since my race and something needs to change. My marathon is 8 weeks away and I want to and need to find my groove. I have worked hard and stayed consistent and I know I can do it, but right now I am just not enjoying it like I normally do.
Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? Thanks in advance! I need some confidence going into my 19 miler tomorrow!
Edited to add: Today was a beautiful, slow 18.4 mile run. Thanks to great friends Marnie, Molly, Sarah, Corey, Kirsten and Nicole for being great company to run with! I am still going to take a few days off, but I was glad to see that I had a kick at the end that helped me up a hill that I usually struggle with. Thanks again for all the good advice!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
9 comments:
WEIRD. Though I'm not running any 19-milers, I've been going through something similar after I ran my half mid-March. I've been battling allergies REALLY BAD so I've been kinda blaming that...but in truth, I'm not quite sure.
I'd love to hear what the lovely mommies have to say.
I can't be of much help but to say that I am going through something similar. I just keep pushing through and slowly I am feeling better and enjoying my runs more. Good luck!
After a move last year it seemed I couldn't hit my stride at all. Every run felt awkward and just not fun. I kept going, but it wasn't until I went on a relaxing run with a friend and we chatted the whole time that I was finally able to relax into running in my new place and find my stride again.
Good luck!
Kelly-I know that you are putting alot of pressure on yourself because you want to qualify for Boston. Maybe try and forget about qualifying and just try and enjoy the process. I know easier said than done!! I believe in you and am excited to see yo at Hippie Chick!! Keep going, sometimes that is all that we can do!
Kelly, I talked to Marnie yesterday, and she told me that you were kind of having a hard time. I have had times of feeling that way, and I finally realized I was probably OVER training. Maybe you should try taking a few days off to let your body take a breather. I know you have been working sooo hard, and I really don't think a few days off will hurt your training- but I think it could definitely help. I would do your 19- miler SLOW tomorrow- don't try to push the pace. Just listen to your body. Then maybe try not running until the next Wednesday or Thursday. Good luck- I know it's so frustrating, but I know you'll be fine.
Kelly,
I hate to say it, but I agree with Kim. The times I've found myself in a running funk have ALWAYS been when my body is simply worn out. Usually it's after a couple of months of hard training with the race still looming ahead of me and it never fails to freak me out. I've tried to learn to recognize the signs of overtraining before it happens-- sometimes I'm better at it than others. But for me, it's just a matter of consciously stepping back for several days and "recalibrating". I can never go longer than three or four days without doing something (whether or not it's running) but just those few days make all the difference.
Marathon training is so very demanding on us, physically, emotionally and mentally. Do yourself a favor and take a break. Not a long one... just a sufficient one. You've got plenty of time before your race and you won't lose any conditioning. When you're back, it'll be with a vengeance!
Thanks for all the advice, I knew I came to the right place. I spent some time reading through all the posts on this site (way back to 2005 when it was just me and Suziepetunia!!) and I found that this happens to me EVERY training cycle. I was a little humbled and relieved by that. I am going to take the consensus advice and take a few days off. I need to do my 19 miler tomorrow because the long runs are very important, but I will run it as slow as possible as Kim suggested. Then I taking "the break". I haven't decided if I will swim or crosstrain, I will just take it a day at a time. Thanks again!! I will report back.
Steph- I am sure you are right with the pressure for Boston. I have been trying hard to not think about it, but you know how that goes. :-) I look forward to seeing you at Hippie Chick also. Hopefully by then I will be feeling strong and excited!
My diagnosis is also overtraining. So try and figure out the balance, and just enjoy the process. Allergies kicked my bum on a 17-miler, and I had to walk for a minute or two every mile and a half the last 6 miles. But I finished, and I'm sure it won't make a difference in the long run. (No pun intended.) You are still an amazing runner and your body will deliver! Good luck and I hope to chat soon.
I just wanted to give you an "amen" on your weightloss after baby!!! I have a running blog dedicated to losing my ... drumroll please... SIXTY pounds of baby weight!!!! Check it out sometime. I love your blog and would love to be connected somehow! danirun.blogspot.com
Post a Comment