Saturday, September 12, 2009

Challenging Week

29 days remaining until the Chicago Marathon - ahhhh!! I'm freaking out just a bit ;)

This past work week may have been only 4 days but it felt much longer. Trips to St. Louis area and Denver made it interesting to find ways to fit in all my scheduled running miles. Then the delays didn't help either! Tuesday I found myself running 11 miles the day after the half. I took it super easy and cut it down to 10 since I had lunch to eat, a shower to take, a suitcase still to pack, and only an hour remaining once I returned home to accomplish it all. (Yeah, I wait until the very last minute to do everything, especially packing for work.) Towards the end of the run I was really feeling all the miles I had put in up to that point and there was some serious bargaining happening to finish up strong.

The remainder of the week I spent pushing off my 8 miles with 5 x 600m at 5K race pace. I absolutely did not want to do this run. Does that ever happen to you? Wednesday I figured it was in my best interest to do weights and light cardio. Thursday I was in Denver and really didn't want to try that run at altitude so I did 4 recovery miles with strides. Finally Friday I made myself do the dang speed work. It was a challenge to find the time since I am really behind on work (thanks to my awesome ability to procrastinate everything and early morning teleconferences) and I felt fried. This week I felt more tired than usual, stressed, and not finding this whole training thing enjoyable. I know it's because of work and the fact that I always get like this around this point of training. I just keep reminding myself this too will pass! Anyways, Friday's run kicked my ass! I nailed the intervals (all in the 7:40's and last 600 was a 7:34!) but instead of 8 miles I cut it down to 7. I had miles to give after the 13 on Monday.

Friday night I went to bed early in hopes of waking early for 17 miles. I rolled over at 7 am Saturday morning and went back to sleep. I finally pulled myself out of my comfy bed and made it out the door just before 8:30 am, at which point it was warm. Weather.com lied to me... The first couple of miles were fine then I ran into a 5K so I had to run about a mile on slanted grass and dodge people/walkers/kids/strollers. This made the early portion of the run much tougher than it should have been. I really struggled from that point (4 miles) forward. I had to walk at 15 to re-group mentally and physically. For the last mile and a half I pushed on with positive thoughts. I cheered for myself internally! I took one from the book of Water Boy - you can doooo it! Needless to say, today I really could have used a training group or at least a training partner.

I know there are always tough runs during training may it be physically, mentally, or both. It's just a matter of how long it lasts and finding a way to break out of the funk. I hope I can turn this crappy feeling around next week home in Ohio. Maybe the change of running scenery is just what I need to get my good mojo back! Even with the overall funk my numbers were still decent, I nailed my speed work, and I ended up with 51 miles for the week! That helps me feel a little better :)

14 comments:

Marlene said...

Yes, I should HOPE that makes you feel better. :) You had some awesome mileage and quality runs.

Hang in there... almost time to taper!

X-Country2 said...

That sounds like a great week! Way to tough it out.

Mark said...

Enjoy Ohio, a great job hanging in there this week!

kristen said...

51 miles is awesome!! I seriously don't know how you do it. Your much stronger than you think - phyisically and mentally!

Keep it up girl. Soon it will be taper time and you can breathe a little.

Kathleen said...

Wow, I've basically had the same experience with running this week- I'm running faster, but my runs are definitely harder physically. Awesome week in terms of mileage. You go girl :)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

wow, you're amazing to fit in all that mileage when so busy! :)

Tara said...

GREAT JOB on that speedwork! I always try and put off speedwork too, even though it's never as bad as it seems to be. I always think it will be worse then it really is.
51 miles is impressive. I'm tired and I've only put in 30 (I think).
I'm just now getting used to running at altitude, so I don't blame you one bit for skipping. :)

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, you are doing great!! Taper is just around the corner. You are ready for Chicago.

J said...

Way to push through a tough week. At least you were able to get out there and get those runs in. You will do great in the marathon!! IF you can manage to run with such a hectic work schedule and have great times then i am sure you will do awesome!

rodney said...

Nice job. The best advice I can give you now is to make sure to wash your hands a lot, and don't rub your eyes. Ya don't need no stinkin' cold this close to Chicago. And bone up on the Vitamin C. Good luck!!!!

runner26 said...

fantastic week! sometimes it's sooo hard to push through the tough runs--but you did it!

Chris said...

Don't freak out! You're almost there and you're doing an amazing job managing life and your training. Almost! Great training week!

Jess said...

51 miles is awesome and it sounds like you toughed it out through a tough week. Way to nail your speedwork!

RunToTheFinish said...

I know exactly what you are talking about! We are all over the place lately and my runs are really showing it, I'm trying to maintain pace etc...but my legs are like lead. I need to relax some and I'm sure things wiil feel better

hope this week is calmer!!