Yesterday was pure insanity from start to finish. Do your kids act like total maniacs on their birthdays? That in itself was like the universe sucking out my will to live. So take my deflated enthusiasm and energy, then put me on a treadmill for 18 miles of speed work.
Never. Again.
I know several of you out there have done 18-20 miles on the mill, but you never let on that it was this bad. Worse than a marathon. Worse than any other long run I've ever done, except the ones where I've been sick or injured.
This training program has me totally cooked, and I still have three weeks before the taper. I crossed the line from parenting improved by running to parenting compromised by running a long time ago. I snap at everyone and everything. I have no tolerance for shenanigans.
Dana-Farber coach Jack, who is always good for pithy advice and motivation, got me through the treadmill run yesterday with a morning email discussing the Nike marathon scandal. His lesson for the fastest runner--and for the rest of us?
"Always think of yourself an an 'elite,' which for my money you are."
That sentence carried me through the last four miles of my 4 x 4 miles at marathon pace yesterday.
After my speed work, I had an other message from Jack, who responded to my training fatigue this way:
"When you're in a hole, stop digging."
He says I need a break, for a week, and he's right, but I don't want to fall short of this program. If I don't get the BQ in Philly, I want to be able to know I completed the whole insane program.
Sigh.
I need chocolate.
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13 comments:
Sounds like you are having a similar day to mine! Good luck and I sure your training (mill or otherwise) will pay off.
I think under 5 year olds are a handful, so combine that with an insane amount of miles and I could barely stand up. Good luck with the next 3 weeks, if you got through that workout, I can't imagine it can get too much harder??!!
At least now the marathon will seem easy in comparison? That sounds like a brutal workout! Hope you're going to get a good taper at least.
Oh, I can barely get through 5 miles on the treadmill -- you are strong to have been to run all of that on the 'mill!
Um.....yea, chocolate works! :)
18 miles of speedwork on a treadmill? YOU are my new hero. That had to be so challenging. Good for you.
(((HUGS))) You're the woman! I can't EVEN imagine!
I skipped a few runs...cut a few short here and there.. and found that it just helped me refocus for the next long run. Nothing re-energizes you like a good I'M Falling Behind panic attack. Of course, I've never trained so hardcore and with a coach like you so I imagine there's a bit more pressure.
Sorry you're discouraged, but just know that I SO admire you and what you're doing. (How about a chocolate martini)?
(By the way, I tagged you, but don't do it unless you want to! :)
Your mental toughness is off the charts and that will serve you well in everything in life, and particularly in the marathon.
BTW what training program are you following, if I may ask?
My prediction: A BQ with MINUTES to spare!
Hang in there, Kristina. You are doing an amazing job with your training and as crappy as you feel, you are getting it done. It's going to feel so good to stand on the starting line in Philly knowing you did everything you could to prepare. That confidence will be just what you need to smash a BQ time. You are in the homestretch. And I guarantee you and Henry will both be fine.
thanks, everyone!
Leslie--It's some book I dug out of the bargain bin at Costco ;) Actually, it's a plan designed by a local '08 Olympic Trials marathoner (Nate Jenkins)--it's definitely making me faster, though also tired, cranky, achy, and stiff :)
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