Comments on: road to the half marathon: training week 4

By: thr

thr — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:39:58 +0000

I literally experienced the same week as you this week. I went for one run, and one trail hike. I am also training for a half marathon, and I also gave up a little this week. I also set my alarm for 5:30, and I also pressed snooze, repeatedly. Oh ya, and I also blamed my lack of training on too many work-related responsibilities.

I am so glad you wrote this because it made me feel better to know that other people go through this during training. I was starting to feel like a bit of a failure, and so began to reassess my own goals last night. I am also recommitted to my own goal, and here’s to many more weeks of stellar training! Give ‘er!

By: Pranayama Mama

Pranayama Mama — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:40:42 +0000

Sugar, that wasn’t put there to distract you. It’s a mirror. How lovely, you are! Persevere, and all that your heart desires will come to you…

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:53:56 +0000

I’m training for my first half marathon! I love following your journey, it’s so inspiring!

By: Natalie Tryon

Natalie Tryon — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:10:56 +0000

I heard a lot of excuses and a lot of reflection in your fourth week. As a ‘triathlete’, my area of opportunity is the run. I used to make excuses all the time that were very similar to your excuses. I also felt the same as you when I missed my runs: I felt guilt and I felt sluggish – very frustrating. However, you have so much to look forward to. Your body got to take some time to rest. Your next run will have plenty of fuel . Something to motivate you? I love looking at my BHAGs again. That 10 year goal really motivates me to fulfill my daily goals, it’s inspiring! Something to get rid of the toxic mindset? You are perfect. You got to make those decisions yourself, how perfect. You got to run at least once last week, perfect. You got to reflect and share your accomplishments and goals with us, perfect. Now, you get to run 16 miles next week!!! Some people can’t run, don’t choose to run 16 miles (or even 1 mile), you get to motivate them, inspire them…keep doing what you are doing and enjoy all 16 miles next week

By: Jennifer Pattee

Jennifer Pattee — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:12:29 +0000

Everyone’s comments are spot on. Sometimes you just have slow weeks where you don’t feel like running and everything seems hard. I usually make deals with myself. Like: just run around the park 6 times and if you still want to quit then OK. A lot of times I surprised myself and wanted to keep going and had a great run.

Running is like life, 90% is just showing up.

Also, when I train I don’t add mileage every week, sometimes I bring miles down then build up again. So, a staggered program.

Other ways to run when you don’t feel like it:
1) use treadmill at gym for 20-30 min. Post to facebook at the start of your run “I’m not stopping until I do 3 mi, 5 mi, ” etc. Use social pressure to follow through

2) I ask friends to make running mixes for my iPod

3) I buy new running clothes as rewards for running

4) I run in new places

5) I run with multiple running clubs

6) I use races as training, less likely to flake on a run if I’ve paid for it

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:47:25 +0000

Oh, I have been there, too. I love the snooze button. I love my bed. I love sleep. And when I finally get up I spend the next fifteen waking hours thinking about how I shoulda/coulda/didn’t run, and how I’m a failure. So I second what Amy said… just do it. Don’t think, just get up and run.

I also agree that race day will be infinitely more fun the more prepared, trained, and rested you are. So keep training, and I think you’ll be happy with yourself on race day.

And lastly, never forget the importance of strategically placed rest. Resting gives your body time to heal, nourish, and rebuild with even more strength. It sounds like you had a busy week. But you haven’t been away from running long enough to lose your fitness. Quite to the contrary, you may find that when you resume your training this week (and you will resume your training this week!) your body and/or mind may feel rested and re-energized. Or at the very least, re-committed.

You’re doing great. Give yourself a pat on the back, and keep up the good work.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:42:22 +0000

I have thought of every excuse in the book but I always think how good I feel after a workout that I once was going to skip. For example, I had a long day today and it is hot as hell in NYC. All I want to do is go home, but I know that if I bag my trainer I will feel guilty all night. I also know that after my trainer I am going to feel 10x’s better. Fight through the excuses, that is half the battle.

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:30:14 +0000

Distance running is 10% physical and 90% mental. A huge component of training is the mental training. You have to learn how to run when you don’t feel like it. You have to learn how to run when you’re tired. You have to learn how to run when it hurts, and how to push through that pain (not to the point of injury though!). When you have a really awful run, remind yourself that this is teaching you how to push through, to not give up. This will not only help you through the training, but through the race itself. When it gets hard, keep going.

By: Weslie

Weslie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:29:56 +0000

You will have good weeks and bad weeks. Think of this week as a recovery week. Your body does need to recovery every couple weeks to let your body and mind heal. I am a marathoner, but trying for a half is the same. Get through those morning runs and it will be worth it!

By: Whitney

Whitney — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:52:14 +0000

You guys are awesome! Made my morning run this morning! Thanks for continuing to inspire me, we are definitely all in this together! xo

By: Savannah

Savannah — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:27:05 +0000

Yay! I love your updates. Keep blogging, because I’m training for a half right now myself, & your entries make me feel like I have a running buddy. Especially when our weeks seem to line up – I definitely had difficulty getting out of bed these past few runs. The quote that gets me up and running (even if at a pretty slow pace) is simply: “keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you WILL reach the finish line.” Sounds really simple, but if I just make myself get up and put one foot in front of the other, before I know it the run is over and I can log the miles. Good luck this week! We’ll up the intensity together, sort of

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:39:15 +0000

You know what, when I don’t “feel” like running (or doing pilates, or any exercise, lol!) I just put on my running gear anyways. Then, I’m all dressed up, so I might as well go for a run. Also, I tell myself it doesn’t have to be a perfect run (that a crappy/lazy run is better than no run at all)! I’ve only been an athlete for about 2 years, so these mind tricks really help me out to get it done. And usually, I end up enjoying the activity once I get my butt out there doing it. You’re doing awesome, though! Nobody’s a robot.

By: callah

callah — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:09:18 +0000

I “ran” a 10k without proper training (i.e. a lot of skipped runs) and i felt horrible, didn’t make my goal time, and had to walk half of it. Learn from my lesson so that on race day you are prepared and don’t have to deal with feeling disappointment with yourself like I did! I’m making up for it by training for a half now so I’m with you- and doing much better this time around! (week 3)

By: elaine!

elaine! — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:21:16 +0000

You can do it! I had to fit in one morning run last week and it nearly killed me … I’m such a wuss about getting up early, lol. But you’re right, when you’re in it for a half marathon, you’re in it for the long haul. Good news is that one week probably won’t make or break your training. So, go get ‘em!