Everyone needs help to keep on top of training for your goals. I'm no different.
Saturday was my first longish (10 mile) training run in prep for the marathon in November. I had to use all the tricks in the book to motivate myself and some of the tricks weren't even planned. I got help from a few friends. I am grateful for it, sore, but grateful.
I started my plan by arranging to meet one of the boot camp clients, Bridget, at Peace Valley Park at 6:30 am for the run. We run at different paces but the point was we would hold each other accountable by meeting for the start of the run. Both of us think we would have stayed home and skipped the run if we hadn't agreed to meet up for the beginning. Mission accomplished. After a warmup we began the run at 6:35. Angel #1 did her job. Lesson learned: Find a friend to help hold you accountable to your training sessions.
This was without question the worst run I have ever done. Physically and mentally I was a wreck. The first loop of the lake is 6 miles and I stopped at least 4 times to walk and give myself a pep talk. All I could think about was how I could ever do this for 26 miles since I dread 10 so much. As I completed the first loop I was going to simply stop and pack it in. Stomach troubles, a tight left calf and some mental weakness were steering me back to the car. Enter angel #2.
On my walk to the car, my friends Bob and Lisa pulled up. Lisa was starting an 18 mile training run and Bob was going for a bike ride. Nothing can kick start your mental toughness more than knowing someone else is going to run twice as far as you and probably faster. After talking with them for a couple minutes and a needed trip to the restroom I headed back out for a 2-mile out and 2-mile back run to complete my 10. My mission, DO NOT let Lisa catch me (at least before the 2-mile turnaround). Mission accomplished. I barely beat her to the turnaround and headed back. Lesson learned: Draw inspiration from others who are accomplishing the goals you want to achieve.
Then I stopped again. Ugh. Mental breakdown #50. Enter Bob.
Bob was riding his bike on his way to meet up with Lisa. He listened to me whine for a minute about my calf, how I can't get a rhythm, blah, blah, blah. Then he just said, "I should send you a link to a blog I read yesterday about persistence". This happened to be a blog I had just written and posted. Nothing like having your words thrown back at you 24 hours later. Lesson learned: Even if you don't have it that day, push through and finish your workout. A crappy workout is generally better than none at all.
I'll be posting some of my other training session shortly.
Be well,
Paul
Paul Dziewisz
Active Personal Fitness
www.ActivePersonalFitness.com
267.626.7478
"You give us the effort...we'll get you the results."
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Paul:
ReplyDeleteActually, you are training for a marathon at the worst time of the year as you have found... hot weather... as opposed to training for Boston... training begins in January.
Here's a hint: Hide water along your route before you start. And, always run during the coolest part of the day. What we used to do is to get old plastic bottles in 1/2 gallons size. The night before your run put water in the bottles up to about 1/2 full. Put the bottle with water n the freezer over night. In the morning, fill up the bottle. Get a brown paper bag and write, "Water for Runners" on the bag. This way people who see the bag will not think it's an explosive device. Place the bag(s) in strategic places on the ground along your route. You can add electrolyte solutions in the bag in the same way with your water too! And, please don't forget to pickup your bags after your run. You'll need the bottles next week for a longer run!!!!!!!!
We used these "bags" as mental oasis during our runs and they actually became stops we looked forward to during our runs.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to monitoring your progress as you become a fellow marathoner!
LeeAnn A.