5 weeks remain before our marathon...one more long run with the Galloway group, the race, and I am free. Yes, this is how I feel. We have been training for almost 6 months and I'm burnt out. Motivation is shot. This is my story.....The Long Run....a devious slave driver wielding a heavy whip. 23 miles ahead, feet pounding pavement, I lumber farther then I have ever been. (It's not news that I dread the super long runs. These days I consider a meager 10 miles to be cake in comparison to the tortuous distances the Galloway program puts us through.) Alas it must be done, muscles aching, bones rattling, will tested, I press forward just to say I did it...
Miles 1-20 went well with the usual signs of fatigue appearing at mile 15. My feet and knees begin to ache....this is normal and easy to push through. We round Shelley Lake back to the meeting point, the long run is mercifully over for the 20 milers. I watch with jealous eyes as Anna trots to her car. We push on, my mind begging me to stop, MY FEET HURT! I don't think I can go any further and if Calvin wasn't with me I would have hidden in the trees until everyone was gone, slunk back to my car, and sulked all the way home. But he motivates me, "you're wussing out" he says.
One.....twwwwooooo moooorreee millleessss......I can't, I just can't go any more. Please, please have mercy on me 23 miles! Oh no, here they come, d@mn chipper diabetic guy and his leg warmers, the rest of the 23 milers are coming up behind us....we have to go. BUT, it will be a walk for the last mile. I've given in to my left brain. Ahhh hello wall...so we finally meet, I have heard about you.
Since 9/12 (the 23 mile long run) I've lost my motivation. I've run only twice since then including a 10 mile long run. I'm seriously burnt out. Feeling much better today. I have a plan for the remainder of this week and a good easy run schedule set for next week. What I think has happened is I've taken the fun out of running. It's time to retool and look at this from a different angle....this is for me, this is for fun, I am my motivator. I'm also running an easy 5k race this Saturday with my lil' sis and my hubby. This should help shake off the "burnt out blues".
I do hope you all are well, feeling good, and running. Any motivational tips you have would be greatly appreciated.
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I'm so dramatic...I know hahaha
marathon training is a long journey. it's hard to stay focused after so many weeks or months of training to (what seems like) no end. step back and remember that part of the accomplishment of running a marathon is the journey to get there! yes, it takes awhile, but you learn so much about yourself, your will-power, your abilities in the process. get back in your groove - not much longer to go!
ReplyDeletehopefully running the 5k will help - reminding you of the fun of running/racing. do you already run with music? if so, maybe make a new blood-pumping playlist. you already run with a group, do you have a few friends in the group who can help hold you accountable during the week? maybe toss "the plan" aside for a day (or a few days) and just run for fun. do whatever speed you feel like. remember, this isn't a chore or work - it's a hobby that you enjoy!
hang in there, hopefully you'll perk back up soon!
I am in the last two weeks of my training plan (Pfitz 24/55) and know *exactly* how you feel. As linday is saying - marathon training is a *long* journey that requires tremendous commitment. I always view the race as my reward for sticking with the training.
ReplyDeleteYou're almost there. If this is your last long run, then it's all downhill from here. And just think about how much time you'll have to yourself in a few weeks!