What is your mind telling you??

Hello fellow runners (or wish-to-be runners)...

This quote above is my favourite and it can relate to absolutely EVERYTHING I think, but is particularly applicable to this blog post.

It's been a pretty up and down past couple of weeks but thought that I was in need of a blog update for all you devout followers out there (or follower - singular???).

So a couple of weeks ago I got quite sick... turns out that when you are running long distances it takes a wee toll on your immunity, but alas, I am not the type of person to get into my way... Until some terrible fevers stopped me from emerging from my bed... DOH!! So this put a little halt on my training in which time my mind (or the little evil guy on my shoulder) started saying:
'Don't you think that your body is trying to tell you something getting this ill this close to your marathon?' And 'You probably shouldn't really be doing the marathon anyway, but especially with all this time out of your training', and then my favourite... 'You CAN'T do this, especially not now!'

Even my doctor was trying to tell me that perhaps I should just think of doing a half marathon... Sheesh! Who does he think I am?!?!

I considered it and had a little battle with my mind. But I was due for a long (35km) run so I thought I would see how I went in that and then make my decision from there. Turns out that the early bird discount closed the day before I was to do that long run so the lovely little guy on my shoulder (and my ever encouraging husband) said: 'what the heck, just go for it  after all, you have put in the training hours and you KNOW you can do it!'

Although I was a little unsure that I could do it I still went ahead and registered anyway. Then, with much prayer, a supportive running buddy, and a super awesome husband supporter, the next day I completed my super long (longest) training run and felt great! I was a little sore but I finished the run feeling like I could have kept running, which I think is the main thing, as the actual marathon is still a bit longer than 35kms. Phew!

So after all my considerations, my trials and tribulations, my doubts and my struggles, I am only just over two weeks away from completing my second ever marathon and getting more and more excited about it by the day. Still trying to be wise and stay healthy but squeezing in a couple of training sessions here and there too, such as spin class, short runs and some fitness like hill repeats and sprint sessions. Now it's all downhill until the BIG day! Woop!

So, if you are pondering a run, struggling with your mind and not really believing you can achieve what it is you want to then let me leave you with some inspiration... Including this quote:

'Your body cannot achieve what your mind cannot believe' (sorry, not too sure who said this but isn't it great?!). It's sooo true too, 90% of the battle is mental, 10% is physical! Ok, well maybe not quite to those percentages but mentality plays a HUGE part! Have you ever had to overcome any mental struggles when it comes to sports or training or anything like that? I'd LOVE to hear!

The business of running...

Hey all,

I know it has been a little while since my last post but not to worry as I am back with more tails of running trials and tribulations....

Running, as some of you may know, is a great way to keep fit, healthy, and in good shape. However, when you get into the serious business of running longer distances you will face some trials. It will take its toll on your body in more than one way. It can cause injury or pain in your body, whether it be muscles or joints, it takes its toll on your immunity, as well as the mental challenge of keeping going for 1, 2, 3 hours plus.

In the last couple of weeks I have been facing some of these trials. Last weekend I went for a 3 hour run, which I felt was a little boring, to be honest, and it was a real mental struggle. I hadn't really fuelled well before or during it either so after two hours of running I was getting really tired. My body, however, was pretty good in that I wasn't too sore or nothing felt broken or overworked, as sometimes is the case. So apart from getting tired and probably running waaaaay slower than I should have been, I was happy to have been able to stay on my feet for that length of time.

My trainings through the week went ok too, got in a sprint session, a 5km time trial and some cross training. But, when it came to my long weekend run again I was just not feeling the groove.
I got up nice and early, as per usual, and was even out the door before the sun woke up, but my body was just not enjoying it. My friend joined me about 6km in which was great, but even then I just felt bored and tired. My body was asking to stop.

I kept going though, having someone with me really helped and kept me going (if she wasn't with me I probably would have stopped and walked home... Eek!), but perhaps I should have listened to my body because I have spent the last two days ill... The thing I was saying about your immunity, it can get a bit hammered when you are doing lots of training!

Anyway, after that run I told my husband that I might not do the marathon that I have been training for and that is coming up in less than 5 weeks now. He encouraged me that I have put in the training, the effort and the hours so I may as well. I think in training for this marathon running has felt more like a chore than an enjoyment and my mind was getting out of the game. I know I can physically run another marathon but can I mentally?? I AM still going to do it, despite my thoughts that perhaps I wouldn't. But after this one I have decided that I really want to just get back to running for enjoyment, and remember why I liked it in the first place.

So as far as my goal of two, maybe three marathons, goes this year, I think that one would be a great achievement :)

What are your running goals? Do you have any trials or tribulations to speak of in achieving your goals?

I hope this hasn't discouraged anyone from running or achieving whatever goals you may have, I am just being honest with you about MY running journey and my journey to this next marathon. Trust me, it's not always like this and more often than not I have really positive things to say about how much I LOVE running - which I still do by the way. So be encouraged that if you are feeling a little run down, a little like your goal is too far out of reach, step back, take a deep breath, have a rest if you need one and get back out there. I can guarantee you that for every bad run I have ever had, I have had about 4-5 good ones. Yay!