Here’s how this last week looked:
I’m still extremely dissatisfied with how my 16-miler went. Yes, I got it done and Woohoo to that, but seriously, it SUCKED. I hate to dwell on things but I can’t seem to help myself. I think it’s because this is the point where I quit last time around. I refuse to quit this time, but I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to run another 10.2 miles beyond 16.
Then I got a tweet from one of my #RunderfulRunners buddies who totally changed my perspective. I’ll test it out on the 18-miler in 2 weeks, but instead of going for an 18-mile run, I’ll be going for a 9 mile run, then turning around and going back home. Makes sense, no? I’ll do whatever it takes – mind games, tricking myself, etc…
The only thing I’ll have to worry about with heading outside is my tummy situation. Time to scope out the trail to see if there are port-o-potties!
(m)EAT LESS, RUN MORE! 
You’ll do just fine. Do make sure there are bathrooms and just take it slow.
Thanks Natalie :)
Like you, I can’t seem to stop thinking about what went wrong this last weekend. Why would things fall apart for me at mile 11, when I’ve done more than 11 miles several times now? It had to be mental. In the back of my mind, I heard other runners’ stories about how the 16-mile run was killer for them and perhaps I made up my mind that I was going to have a hard time as well. But like you, quitting is just not an option for me. And so this week I will enjoy the taper-like week, I will play around with the run/walk intervals and see if there’s something else that will work better for me, and I will just keep moving. One foot in front of the other until I get to the mileage I’m supposed to reach for that week.
I think I need new scenery as well. I’m doing 4-mile runs around our little town and I think I really need to just change things up. I’ll have to stick close to home for the 18-mile run because I have to leave town after my run to go to Chicago for a work conference, but for the runs after that, I need to run somewhere different. And I love the idea of just running half of whatever you’re supposed to run and then turning around and coming back. I can’t wait to hear how that works for you!
You and I are going to do this! WE ARE!! It may not be pretty, but dammit, we’re crossing that finish line, even if we have to crawl or have a loved one drag our ass!
Thanks my friend :) YOU are one of the biggest reasons I keep going! And you’re right – we WILL do this!
You will absolutely be able to finish the marathon. Training runs are supposed to be hard — you’ve got all the week’s miles piled up in your legs, so it’s more like running the last 16 miles of the race than the first 16.
Here’s another mental trick for you. Whenever I run a new distance, I tell myself that I’m running the new miles first. So for your 18, after mile two, just think, “Well, that was easy. Now I just have to run what I’ve done before.” It’s a silly thing, but it works for me!
Thanks so much! And yes, that’s a great idea. I really do think it will be better once I get myself outside. There’s only so many episodes you can watch at one time on Netflix ;)