My plan said to do 55 miles.
I ran 39 and walked/hiked 12.
I didn't even reach the prescribed mileage including my walks and hikes.
I am pretty sure I am scrapping the marathon. So this could be my last marathon training recap.
Before I decide for sure, I am taking about 5 days off running. Can't wait!!!
Monday- Lifting Back @ Planet Fitness. I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and felt pain in my left heel. EFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!! (This is how my PF started at the beginning of the summer.) I went to bed totally intending to bag the whole marathon. When I woke up in the morning, the pain was there, but disappeared after about 5 minutes of walking around. I made the decision to not run until Wednesday, and only if the heel pain was completely gone.
I had a great workout at the gym. Obviously I have been neglecting my lifting a bit due to running all the freaking time. It was nice to get back at it and I was happy to see I hadn't lost any strength.
Asst. Wide Grip Pull Ups- 5x8x16lb asst.
Asst. Neutral Grip Pulls Ups- 5x8x16lb asst.
Inverted Row- 5x10
Lat Pull Down- 5x10x70lb
Cable Row- 5x10x50lb
Bicep Curls- 3x10x17.5lb, 2x12x15lb
Capt. Chair- 5x20
Bicycle Cruches- 5x40
Stability Ball Sit Ups- 5x15x15lb
Stability Ball Knee Tuck- 5x15
Hip/Glute Exercises
Calf Stretches
Tuesday- Chest @ home. My foot felt fine when I woke up and I really wanted to run... but I kept to my promise and lifted instead. I also went for a 4 mile walk that evening with my friend Bree!
Chest Press- 5x10x25lb
Push Ups- 5x10
Shoulder Press- 5x10x20lb
Tricep Dips- 5x15
Bicycles- 5x40
Stability Ball Sit Ups- 5x15x15lb
Stability Ball Pull Ins- 5x15
Hip/Glute Exercises
Wednesday- Strength workout: 4x1.5 miles @ MP minus 10 seconds (7:39). This whole workout was to be 10 miles total but I shaved some off the warm up, cool down, and recovery periods so I came out with 8 miles. I was tired by the third repeat, but I was never at the point where I didn't think I could get it done. It was hot out!
Splits: 7:36, 7:34, 7:38, 7:35
(average pace per mile, not the amount of time it took to run 1.5 miles...)
(average pace per mile, not the amount of time it took to run 1.5 miles...)
Thursday- 6 easy miles. This is going to sound weird but I couldn't remember this run. I had to consult my Garmin! Eventually I realized why I couldn't remember the run. I got my period that morning and I felt like complete SHIT, so I must have just blocked it out! All I could manage was a 9:20 pace.
Friday- 8 miles @ MP. I only warmed up and cooled down with a half mile each because I was pressed for time. This was a good run. I felt pretty strong. Later that day, I hike 8 miles in Shenandoah National Park with Karen. She is a fast hiker so I really got a workout.
Saturday- 6 easy miles. I wanted to do 8 miles but it was so freaking humid and I was tired. I just wasn't feeling it. I reminded myself that I ran 9 and hiked 8 the day before and it was no wonder I was tired... but I was still hard on myself since the plan said to do 10.
Sunday- 10 miles. My knee and ITB hurt almost the whole time. Not happy. I have not been happy since early June, in fact. Reconsidering the entire marathon. I stopped in the middle of my run to cry. I never, ever cried during a run before. Methinks this is a sign??????
Training Goals:
FUCK'EM!!!!
FUCK'EM!!!!
How were your workouts this week?
You already know my thoughts and I think you're doing the right thing. Are you planning to scrape Lehigh completely or opt for the half (you have enough time to get some solid half-specific training in), or finding another full to train with another plan?
ReplyDeleteI love running but if it's making you cry, don't do it. You know the answer in your heart.
Running shouldn't be so stressful. Not sure what the best thing is, but I am sure you will figure it out. It sounds like your body is just telling you not to run so much in all of these different ways. I have felt like that was happening before and it's so frustrating and I just want to tell it to shut up because mentally I need to run. But I've learned that doing that only makes things worse and then my body rebels even more. I hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteFollow your heart, Megan. Running will always be there when you are ready to come back. Never hurts to de-load and take a break sometimes. Hugs girl. xo
ReplyDeleteMegan, I do think you should totally do the marathon maybe just reconsider that plan. You are a very smart and strong runner and honestly I feel like getting the long runs done with maybe one fast run a week you were totally achieve your goal because of all of your other physical activities that you do. It sounds really intense and I am finding that one speed workout a week is enough for me because whenever I am doing 2+ my regular mileage it gets pretty fatiguing. It just has like there might be a whole lot going on with that plan. Makes you feel better on Saturday I did my 15 mile run but 13 miles and I called Matthew to come pick me up it was so humid. Last night I tried to run with my running group and we ran at a really slow pace but that was all I could pull off in the humidity. I think you should stick with it just maybe make some alterations? I am obviously not a professional LOL, but I've been there and had to reevaluate the plan. Midway through training for Boston one year I totally ditched my training when I picked up a new modified one.
ReplyDeleteoh wow! This sounds really frustrating! I'm sorry you are going through this!
ReplyDeleteIt is not ok that training is causing you all this stress and bad feelings! The races will still be there, the road will be there.
I think you are an amazing, strong and fast runner, who can achieve this! But it is your decision to make. I'm here if you need to talk.
Well, I dunno. I'm all about being hardass and pushing through but seriously, if you're not happy, then change it. Take up synchronized swimming or something.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it's the marathon, or the training plan? Sometimes you need a break, but if it is the distance, maybe the half? Or a different training plan that lets you recover from long runs, and a different marathon so you're not crunched for training. A break could help your PF, then you can take your time and decide what to do.
ReplyDeleteIf you're crying on runs, something really needs to change. I'm glad that you are recognizing this and doing something about it instead of pushing through. Maybe you'll feel better after some days off, but maybe you won't. Either way, just fuck 'em. Don't worry about time or training, just take it easy and find a way to like running again. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteWell, regardless of how I think you will push through and be fine on race day (cus you are stronger than you think), I think it's clear that your heart isn't in it this time and it is stressing you out. Can you still do the half instead? What weekend is this race again? Perhaps we can get together and have a girl's weekend instead? That would be fun. We can have a nonrace race weekend!
ReplyDeleteSending you so many hugs. So many. I know the pain of having to make these types of decisions (and I currently have a client struggling with the same issue of having to scrap marathon plans due to injury). Focus on the good--happy dates with friends, the activity that you can do that feels good.
ReplyDeleteAnd fuck those training goals. Do what you need to do--happiness is more than just races!
Ugh, I hate that I've stepped away from blogs for a bit and have missed these updates. I hate that your PF is possibly rearing its ugly head, that your ITB and knee were bugging you, and that you're not enjoying training. I know the Hansons plan is TOUGH and really pushes runners to the limit, but this sounds just awful.
ReplyDeleteIs there time left before Via to rework which plan you use, or how you go about training, if you wanted to? Is your heart just totally not in it, or are you just feeling normal training burnout? I think when you have a lofty goal in mind, it's totally acceptable to scrap the race and get yourself back in order. As others said, if you're crying on runs, something has to change. Running is a hobby and it's something that should be life-giving, not something that breaks you down.
Ugh. I hate being in a bad training cycle. I know how hard it is for you to decide what to do. I've pushed through pain and injury and it isn't a smart thing to do at all. But it's hard for me to quit....so don't take me as an example of what to do.
ReplyDeleteStep back for a few days and once the dust settles you'll know what to do. Follow your heart...