There are so many contradictions in marathon training. You’ve heard me say things like, “I’m cutting back this week. I only have to run 10 miles on Saturday.” You’ve heard me doubt my ability to run 17 miles, knowing I’ve run 26.2 in the past. You’ve heard me ramble about the glorious 34* day – perfect for running! Yeah right.
Today, I want to talk about another contradiction.
I know the real contradiction is that you’ve never actually heard me say anything, but let’s just pretend.
This week, I’m dealing with another of the big marathon contradictions. It may not happen to all runners, but it certainly happens to me: my mileage increases, my activity level decreases. I kick into conservation mode as soon as I see the big 2-0 on the training plan. When I’m not running, I’m sitting…or laying down…
I’m conserving, saving up for the long run. Sure, I still exercise. I ran 13.4 miles in the past two days. I even managed some decent stretching in yoga class. At the same time, I avoid anything that presents significant challenge. Weights?! What weights?!
I often post about my monster runs. What you don’t often hear about are the monster naps that follow. Marathon training is draining and time consuming, but it also allows me plenty of time to bond with Lucy and her friend, Molly. They are always willing to keep me company on the couch.
I have a 20 miler planned for Saturday. I don’t feel ready because I never feel ready. At the same time, I wish I was running 20 miles tomorrow. I just want to do it! See what I mean? Contradictions…
Tomorrow I will cross train. Friday I will rest. Saturday I will run. I’m pretty sure you’ll hear from me again before then.
We’re more than halfway through the week! I hope it’s going great!
How do you approach a challenge? Need time to prepare? Jump in feet first?
love the puppy pics!
I hear you, part of you wants to get it over with and part of you doesnt want to do it. I take lots of naps too!
I like what Monica says “It’s better to be 10% under trained than 1% over trained.” I think a little bit of nerves keeps you going and makes it feel so much better when you complete your mission(and you WILL finish).
I wonder if Monica knows how profound her statement was. The entire time I am training, I go back to what she said. Under trained definitely trumps over trained.
YOU WILL DO FINE
Wish I could be there to run with you! But you will do great!! The best part about about long runs is definitely the long naps! Il wake up at 430 if I can go to bed after!!!
I wish you could run with me, too! The next time I train for a marathon, I need a running buddy!
I can only imagine your energy conservation attempts! And I can definitely see why when you’re running for a solid 3-4 hours! However, being a teacher, I bet you’re on your feet a lot more than most.
You’re right. When I was training during the summer, I felt like I had so much energy, but that’s because I wasn’t working. I often forget that I spend all day running around with kids. That alone requires a nap!
I think conservation mode is the biggest hurdle for me finally signing up for and training for my first marathon. I know that the incredible amount of energy that will go into my training with lead to less energy for cross training which I absolutely love and do NOT want to give up. I would love to become a marathoner some day but I am not sure if I am mentally ready for the sacrifices just yet….
I think conservation mode is smart – you are expelling a TON of energy for those longer training runs, I am sure if i were training for a full marathon, I’d do the exact same thing! Just think, you can get back to weights and other stuff (core fusion??) just as soon as you kick the crap outta this half. One goal at a time
I usually start thinking about the 20 miler like two weeks ahead – planning out the route, my fuel for the week, etc. I know what you mean about dreading it and wanting to do it at the same time! And I think the conservation route is a great idea, you don’t want to be your feet all day the day before you run for a few hours
We’ve talked about this before, but marathon training is crazy for sure!! Your life revolves around those long runs…so of course during those times that you’re not running, the entire goal is to save your energy for when you do have to run. I think if you averaged it all out, you’d find that those of us in marathon training mode are probably moving LESS than someone who is working out regularly just to stay active.
And you’re totally going to rock this 20-miler, just like you’ve rocked every other run.
I suspect that winter, and not the amount of running, is the culprit behind my current conservation mode! I log my running, and I don’t run much more now than i did during summer (and I worked through summer). However, my naps are soo much more frequent now, and I have a hard time motivating myself to do strength training (which I REALLY need to ramp up) and cross training.
I love my long runs, though, and have no problems getting motivated for running those
Marathon training is all about the contradictions and learning how to balance them (at least for me)! I feel like there are always competing voices in my head – “speed up / slow down”, “I should rest / push harder”, I” can do it / I can’t do it” are things I listen to all the time. Even my attitude toward running fluctuates a lot – some moments I hate it and resent that I’m doing it, some moments I am completely on a runners high, and most of the time I’m probably somewhere in between. I think you will rock the 20 miler and after you do it you will be so glad and feel so confident!
[...] taper into my training plan, but I did opt for some easier miles this week. It’s that whole conservation thing! This morning I set out for my final run before race [...]