Skip to main content

Never Say Never Especially as a Runner

Once upon a time, I was a dancer. 

I didn't start ballet at a super young age like many girls. I never touched a ballet barre until I was in the 5th grade actually. From the moment I walked into that ballet studio, I knew that's where I belonged. I never thought of myself as an athlete. Though now looking back, I realize just how athletic dance really is.

I started running merely for exercise and on a treadmill. I never wanted to run outside. That'd just be crazy talk. And running more than 5 miles? Oh that's just flat out insane. I did some 5Ks (hated them). I started to run a bit farther, then a bit more. I was always proud and impressed with myself, that I could do more than I imagined. Then ... Half marathon? Sure, I'll get wild and crazy and shoot for the moon.

I'll never run a full marathon. Never say never right? Oh, nope, not me, never really means never I said, over and over again. Six years after beginning my journey as a runner, I did what I swore I'd never do. I did that and more.

Last year, I actually decided to become a running coach when RRCA was having a course here in Little Rock. Me, the dancer, never the runner. I'm actually a certified Running Coach. Who'd have ever thunk that one? Running Coach AND signed up for my first full marathon? Yeah, never say that word, "never." It'll always come back to bite you in the butt I'm convinced.

As I've embarked on my own journey into marathon training, I know it'll help me as a coach as well. I'm determined to enjoy this process. I want to learn from it, grow from it. It's not easy. But is anything ever easy in life? Anything really and truly worthwhile?

I know I'm still just at the beginning. I've laid out my plan more loosely than I might for a client. But that also gives me so much insight as to how to tailor plans for clients as well. Some people really like the strict structure. I've learned that as much as I do like routing, when it comes to running, I want to love it always. Strict plans start to suck that love out of it for me. But everyone is different of course.


This last week was supposed to have been a back off week for me. And it was for the most part. I cut out one day of running and speed work. My long run was going to be 12-14 miles. But, we might be out of town next weekend. So, I decided to play my long run by feel.

I was feeling good. The temperatures were so much more manageable (hello 45 degrees). I started to re-think my plans and decided to go for 16-18, with 18 being the ultimate goal. I did 16 last weekend. You'd think that somehow adding "just" 2 more miles would be no big deal right? Lesson: after about 14 miles, 2 miles really feel like 5.

The run was really good until mile 14, then it started to be a struggle. I was going up hill and into the wind and had not paced myself very well. My body was tapping out. Or, maybe it was my mind tapping out. I got back to the house and then had that inner dialog/fight about finishing out 2 more miles.
You can do 2 freaking miles.
No I can't.
Yes you can.
I'm done.
Wimp.
Done.
There's the old Heather that would have been a) pissed that I didn't finish 18 or b) slogged it out and finished the 18 "just because." There's now the new and improved Heather that knows I did the smart thing  by stopping. I've set out a plan that has allowed for several back off weeks AND for any bad runs that I knew would happen.

I'm certain that any type of training ensures that you start to learn more about yourself. What has your training taught you?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Love in Photos

In honor of Valentine's Day - Love in Photos Husband Family and Furbabies Friends Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's Day - I hope you have a wonderful day and remember the loves in your life.

Workout Wednesday - Body Blaster Tabata

Happy Hump Day! I wanted to thank everyone for their comments on yesterday's post: Be Kinder to Your Body. Calories are Not the Enemy . It sounds like it resonated with many of you. Today I wanted to share a new workout with you. I've been working on interval workouts for some of my clients. I try to give them the most bang for their buck (time). I know that in an ideal world, we would all have time to do longer workouts. There would never be scheduling conflicts, sick husbands or kids, or sick us. In reality, workouts need to be effective and efficient. And they don't have to be lengthy to be effective and efficient either. There's no need to spend hours in a gym to get in a good workout. Interval workouts like HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) or tabata, or even interval running are great ways to get in a fantastic workout in a short amount of time and have many benefits. You can read more about Tabata workouts  here . The benefits of this type of work

Piriformis Update & Grilled Veggie Salad

New Piriformis Exercises Today wasn't too terrible for a Monday. Of course, I did leave a little early. That always helps huh ;-) I had another round of physical therapy today. My PT has been really researching piriformis syndrome and found an interesting article that discusses the use of McKenzie Exercises - typically used for back pain. I have started adding in low back extensions (one of the exercises) but now have a whole new list of exercises to add into my workout rotations. But, if it helps, I'll do it. I also asked her about dry needling (thanks Sarena ), which is sort of similar to acupuncture, but is more about trigger point and intramuscular stimulation. And I'm glad I asked because the timing is uncanny. One of the doctor's in the clinic happens to be going to get certified this weekend. They both believe that I am a prime candidate for the procedure. So we'll see how that goes. Kind of scared because I hate hate hate needles. Have any of you tr