and running...
i was feeling like utter crap up until yesterday, with saturday night being the worst. my fever had returned and my head felt like it was going to explode. after an evening with ice packs on my head and neck, i decided to finally call in sick at work and spend sunday recooperating. best. decision. ever.
i now feel like a practically normal person. FINALLY, after friggin 2 weeks.
so before the butt crack of dawn (4:15!) i woke up to get my arse to the gym. i managed to eke out a mere 2.5 miles before i had to pack it in to go to work. the plans are to run 5-6 tomorrow am, spin wed am, and attempt a long run on thursday. i'm banking on 10, hoping for 12, working for 14. friday it's yoga and saturday calls for an easy 5.
i'm quite scared as to whether my body is ready for this marathon, considering that the month of august has been almost a total wash. the schedule is supposed to go:
this week: cutback
next week: 18 miler
next week: cutback
last week of september: 20 miler
then begin 3 week and 2 day taper
god, i'm royally fucked, aren't i? shit!
any advice or suggestions? i know i can't "cram" in the miles at the last minute, but it still is possible, isn't it?!
11 comments:
what has been your longest run to date and when was it?
oh and just fyi, no need to taper for 3 weeks. that extra week, should you still go through with it, you are going to need it. my longest run (21 miles) prior to my first marathon was done um...yep, 2 weeks and 1 day before the marathon.
I'm no help with this since I'm a novice, but I don't you'll be jacked. You might have to make adjustments in what time you want to come in, but I think you'll be alright ;D Where is Wendy? She's the one to ask ;-)
First off, glad you are feeling better. Marcy is always looking for me lately, I feel like ankle biter #3. I'm making no attempt to keep this short, sorry.
here is my opinion, do with it what you like. First, and most importantly, you have to want it. If you don't want it, all the training weeks won't make a bit of difference when it comes to race day.
In short, yes, you can do this. In the six weeks prior to Miami my weekly mileage was between 25 and 31. I did two 3-4 mile runs, one 6-7 mile run and one long run (12, 16, 16, 18). My longest run was 18.5 miles two weeks prior. A two week taper is fine in my opinion.
I'm not sure how you "manage" your long runs in terms of walk breaks. But, my other piece of advice would be to take walk breaks before you get tired. Take 30 seconds every 10 minutes or a minute every mile, whichever works for you. Either way, I think you'll feel much better towards the end of your runs and it will be a big boost to your confidence.
Short answer, yes, you can do this - I think that our physical capabilities are infinite, we are only limited by what the mind tells the body to do. Once your mind gives in and says I can and want to do this, your body will follow.
Glad to hear you are feeling better! I think you are going to rock this marathon... I just know it!
I think you're still OK. Definitely follow JustJuneBug's advice about the taper. I always felt my 3-week tapers were just too darned long.
I wont try and offer any advice as i'm a total novice too. Concensus seems to be that if you want it you can do it. Good luck with whatever happens.
I think you can do this. You still have all of September and part of October, right?
But I agree, you do have to want it. And lately, your posts have certainly demonstrated some uncertainty -- although, trust me, I am the queen of that, and doubt at this point is totally normal -- you just have to determine whether that uncertainty is just jitters or if it's a real un-desire to do this thing.
What you need is a good long run that restores your confidence. So, wait until you get to that next long run, see how that goes, and then make a decision based on that.
Don't cram. Just go with the flow and do what you can to prepare in the final weeks.
You'll be fine. That's pretty much exactly what I did when I trained for my first marathon (also Nike). Get your 18 and 20 milers in, plus your semi-long runs (you have at least 3 of those left) and you'll be good to go. Think positive! :)
Just stick to the schedule. Maybe take a couple miles of your next long run but then jump right back into the plan. DO NOT CRAM in the miles.
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