My running schedule was delayed a bit that second week, as my next run wasn't until the hottest Independence Day ever, then I hit the busy parcours the next day, and then nothing for three weeks.
The run-less streak finally ended last Friday, with my Crazy Eights routine. By that time, however, the damage was done. Here's last month's statistical rundown:
- Total Miles: 23 miles (5 runs)
- Total Time: 4.71 hours
- Highest Weekly: 7 miles
- Average Weekly: 5.75 miles
- Average Pace: 12:17/mile
- The Monthly Dif: -24 miles (47 miles in June)
The other day, I attempted to devise a quick-ramp-up plan to get into 20-miler shape, but then I lost the motivation Monday to get started. The run was delayed until last night. My body still hurt a bit from my intense workout over the weekend.
The three-mile barefoot run was enjoyable, but the thought of trying to turn around and run five miles today seemed like a recipe for injury.
The thought occurred to me that I'm not respecting the distance. I think I can just fake it and be able to run 26 miles in two months. Am I just fooling myself?
Instead of taking control of my running and making a decision about the marathon, I've instead acquiesced to the "whatever happens, happens" scenario. Like some John Irving character, I'm putting off a choice and instead doing nothing, hoping that it'll all sort out itself.
Yesterday, I read that the Akron Marathon only has 100 places left open for the full, and right now the budget says an entry fee is out of the question until later. I'm starting to accept how this will likely end.
5 comments:
"like some John Irving character" --pretty funny.
I think that there's no need to force something you might not be feeling right now. We do this for fun, and when it becomes work or we lose enthusiasm, why push it?
Sometimes you just gotta, do what you gotta do... and sometimes what you gotta do hurts your pride. Like Miss Zippy said, don't force it.
I'll second (or 3rd?) Miss Zippy.
There's something to be said for the notion that... For the things we care about: we make time. For the things we don't: we make excuses.
Pay attention to how you're spending your time and I think the answer will come to you. (To me, it seems like you're having fun on the trails and on the tennis court with Mrs. Viper... But that's just my 2 pennies.)
Go back and reread my post about the disaster that was the 2010 Thunder Road Marathon if you want to know what attempting a marathon while undertrained feels like. For your own mental and physical well-being, don't half-ass this marathon training because the potential results are...not pleasant. Do, or do not. There's no shame in "not" when it comes to tackling a marathon. I learned that the hard way, which is why I won't run another one unless I know I can dedicate myself 100% to a training program. One tour through the searing red pain cave was enough.
You can do the marathon on low milage - you just won't be as fast as in the past.
Don't ruin the streak - sign up and get out there!
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