Monday again already? How did that happen? Last week was crazy busy and I was running around pretty much all day Saturday (literally running 16 miles and then running around doing errands) but Sunday was finally a day to relax. Of course days like that go way too fast!
As I am moving into the final stretch of training (4 weeks to go!) I have been thinking about what I need to focus on to make it to the start line healthy, happy, and prepared. Ideally, that means getting a solid week of running in this week with a 20 miler on Saturday. That would give me the mental boost I need to feel like I am ready. However, health comes first so if things aren’t feeling good its better to adjust accordingly. 
I mentioned in yesterday’s recap how I get all flustered moving around my runs. You would think this would be easier considering I made my own training plan. I guess I am so confident about my plan that changing any little thing about it freaks me out. That is ridiculous and I need to get over it. There are a million different ways to put together a training plan and there is no reason why I can’t change things around (meaning reduce runs/mileage) and still be ready for the marathon.
So somehow I need to find a way to stay positive AND relaxed. Stressing out about running 5 miles instead of 6 is a waste of time, and I know it. I’ve learned in past races that sometimes less is better, and I certainly have learned that staying relaxed is the key to my success.
So now, it’s one day at a time, and one run at a time. I will let go of my need for control about pace, distance and mileage. It will be great if I get to yoga to help with that relaxation piece- but if I don’t, it’s not worth stressing about. I’ll try to get as much sleep as possible, but sometimes life will get in the way. I’ll need to decide if I should sleep in and skip a run, or if I will be ok with a little less sleep one or two nights.
I’m also going to be focusing on trying to eat very close to paleo again. I’ve still been doing this, but over the past few weeks I’ve been much more relaxed about it. The goal is natural, whole foods with lots of vegetables. If I eat one more sweet potato I may start to turn orange, but that’s ok:)
Here’s the thing- I have made it through 10 great weeks of training. I’ve put in a lot of hard work. It’s time to finish it up and remember to enjoy it. I have loved hearing about everyone else’s races and I can’t wait for it to be my turn. I want to be able to line up on November 23rd with a smile on my face. And preferably without needing KT tape all over my body.
Let’s sum up a post that was a lot of rambling: 4 more weeks. Stay positive. Don’t stress out. Stay relaxed. Eat well. Don’t get injured. Sound good?
How do you deal with stress and self-doubt while training?
Do you reevaluate your goals and plans during training?
I’m linking up with Katie for “Marvelous in my Monday” in an effort to stay positive!
Sounds like our heads are in the same place. I’m feeling all the same things, including wanting to be rigid about sticking to the plan, even though I know it’s not that important. These 4 weeks will fly by I think.
I am sure they will fly by! I think thats good and bad, but there’s nothing we can do! I think I will feel better once the taper is here.
You can do it!! Four weeks? You got this! It will fly right by and before You know it, you’ll be standing at the starting line!! What about moving one run this week to be after work? That way you will have a little extra sleep in the morning? And starting next week you’ll be in taper mode, so right there that is more sleep over the three weeks!
Yes taper will definitely give me a little more time for sleeping! Unfortunately I have stuff to do every day after work so usually running in the afternoons isn’t an option. (I tend to avoid it because of the traffic in the city, I feel like I’m stopping at lights all the time!) But that’s a good idea and I will keep that in mind if I wake up tired one morning and have the urge to sleep in:)
Here is my thing:
I am never ‘training’. I am running. And I love to run.
I have a schedule for work, at home, with my kids and wife – so why not for my running? It isn’t a ‘training plan’ – it is a schedule that fits an activity I love into my busy life.
I don’t diet – I eat foods I love that are good for my body and keep me healthy, support the activity I love and will keep me doing it for many years to come.
It is easy to stress about things – like ‘studying’ when learning new stuff. I shook that one off (yes, I referenced that song my wife plays too much 😉 )years ago – I love to learn all the time, so it isn’t ‘studying’, but learning cool new stuff.
Great points! I have a hard time when I’m not training for any sort of race because I can never decide how much to run! It sounds pretty silly but I actually worry that without a training plan to reign me in I may run too much. I love fitting in as much running as I can and its hard to remember that sometimes skipping a run or running less is the smart thing to do!
I live on sweet potatoes and if I don’t have one, I have butternut squash. I might be orange soon too!
Haha yay we can be orange runners together!
I think that something you need to remember is that you have made it this far in a safe and smart way and with a safe and smart approach. You are in a better position than ever before. You have put in the work, and now if something goes wrong, it is out of your control. Yes, that is scary, but there is also nothing you can do about it! As you said, just take it a day at a time.
Very true, thank you for that important reminder! You are so right that certain things are out of our control. By remembering that it takes some of the pressure off.
I totally stress and obsess over having to adjust my training schedule as well. It’s so frustrating! Just remember that the important thing is the cumulative training effort, not any individual run, and it sounds like overall you’ve been doing great, so you should rest up if that’s what you need right now.
I had to reevaluate my goals in the last month or two of training for my most recent race. I was disappointed in myself for having to do it, but due to various life circumstances it was necessary. The upshot is that I safely and comfortably met my revised “A” goal, so I’ll call that a win.
I’m glad I’m not the only one, and its helpful to hear that you adjusted your plans and still had a good race! Thanks for sharing!
I AM SOOO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR RACE!!!!
I have always loved the mantra, “It will all be alright.”
A friend always said that , and it has stuck with me. Try it out…say it when you are stressed, and really believe it! You have an incredible body–it will pull through!
Keep up the good work!! You’re doing awesome!!
Thank you! That is a great mantra! It’s so true because even in the worst case scenario, things will still be alright. I really appreciate the support:)
You GOT this. You are right not to try not to worry about the difference between 6 and 5 and remember that at the end if the day, this is all supposed to enhance your life! You will have a great week and be more than ready come race day.
Thanks so much!
You can do it! You seem like you’re on the right track. I can be a stress case too haha so I understand the feeling, but trust in the work you’ve done! 🙂 You will do great on race day.
Haha thanks! Stress is no good but its just a part of life. Its hard to trust in the training but so important!
I think stress and self doubt is inevitable in training but it’s all about learning to manage it – you can’t run effectively when you’re stressed and I think we’ve all had those runs where we start overthinking everything and it doesn’t go well at all!
Exactly!! It’s all about managing it effectively! Some stress is good because it pushes us to do our best- but too much is definitely not a good thing!
I’m wondering how it’s Monday already too! I’m not ready.
It looks like you’ve accomplished some really solid training! Keep it up for this last four weeks. Like everyone else said, you’ve so got this! 🙂
Thank you!! And I hope you survived Monday:)
I very much like to stick to my training plan, I get very anxious and have a lot of self doubt if I veer away from the plan at all. It’s something that with this next year I really want to work on.
I need to work on it too! I think it would be a good challenge one day to not follow a training plan and just run.
I can’t wait for it to be your turn, too! You’ve had a really great training cycle and your most recent half marathon should be giving you a really nice mental boost! When I’m getting nervous leading up to a big race I go back and read old posts — like the first time I ran a 5K or the first time I ran a half marathon. Reading my old posts always makes me laugh and reminds me that I was nervous for no reason at all. It’s just running, at the end of the day we do it for fun, and we always survive… we do more than survive!!
That’s a great idea! Even though my half was only a week ago I’ve already forgotten the confidence that it gave me. Its nice to have a blog and to be able to look back on those old race recaps!
Staying stress free up until your marathon is so hard to do, yet so important. The last week before my marathon I focused on that. I took some time off from work and just relaxed and caught up on sleep. I am really glad I did.
I hope to be able to do the same! With less miles to run I think I’ll be able to do it!
Good luck on the rest of your training! It is hard to stay calm and not let yourself get stressed as you get closer to a race. Just remember that you have worked hard to build your endurance and your body knows what to do 🙂
Thank you- that is a great reminder!
Battling self doubts during training, that’s a tough one. I find other things to distract me and do a lot of positive self talk!! You’ve totally got this!
I need to get back into positive self-talk. Distracting myself is a good idea too! I will have find something else to think about the week leading up to the race:)
I just ran my first marathon and I dealt with MAJOR self doubt. One day I would be all motivated and ready to race and the next I would consider backing out. It’s a scary thing but it is so worth it in the end! You are going to do awesome, you have put in the work and the race will be a time to celebrate!
That’s how I’ve been feeling lately! Last week I was so positive and confident and then lately Ive been having lots of doubts. Writing posts like this always helps me to remember to stay motivated!
One of the things that helped me recently was remembering that there is no such thing as a perfect race…there are too many variables. The only thing you can control is your reaction to those variables. They are challenges, which you face every day in training. You’ve got this!
Very true, and thank you for that reminder!