The freak out is getting real! I suppose the taper is also to help calm my nerves.
It's been a long time coming, my first 50k. I first started dreaming about running a 50k about a year ago. Right now, I have to get a handle on my doubts. This is the farthest I've ever run, so there's this fear of the unknown, but it's about more than the race, it's about learning from the process. This week I entered my 2-week taper and I want to use this time to calm my nerves as well as relax my body. My husband believes I can finish, so when I have doubts, I think about all the reasons why he still believes in me.
I had a great marathon training cycle back in 2019. Can a great training cycle make you cocky? Um—queue the sheepish grin—maybe?
Initially I had planned to run 50 plus mile weeks consistently, but I ran into a few setbacks during this training cycle. During my marathon cycle, back in 2019, I trained and finished my first marathon 40 minutes sooner than I'd expected—though my strength training could have been more consistent, I had no setbacks. I trained at a comfortable, conversational pace and accomplished my goal. I felt like I had now come into my own as a runner. I felt made to run! Yes sir! I was confident that I could run a 50k with virtually no issues, so I registered for an August 2020 race...hey, what could go wrong? As long as I had no bathroom issues, didn't try new and unusual things race day, and triple checked all my gear, it would be a cinch, right? Yep, I pulled myself from the race and deferred to get my shin splints under control. Wait what? I haven't had shin splints since my first year of running. Certainly I'd come a long way since then. Come on!
Your heard me right, freakin' shin splints. Last June I developed shin splints in my left leg...my overconfidence made me forget what a conversational pace really meant—who me? I want to chastise myself now, because looking back over my training logs, I ran my long runs much too fast causing niggles and tightness which led to setbacks! To own up to my mistakes, my training errors cost me valuable weekly miles. The shin splints forced me to focus more on cross-training. I added additional strength training sessions and sought the help of a sports chiropractor, who was able to realign my hip to fix a short leg. Just like magic, abracadabra, no more shin splints! Then, after several months of running well, I developed pain in the bottom of my left foot. I assumed it was plantar fasciitis, and my hubby purchased a spin bike. (He is my biggest fan and confidence booster). The bike was my primary source of aerobic training for several weeks. I figured this would set my running back since I mainly biked, but I still won a 1st place in small, local race. My fitness hadn't diminished, and the bike seemed to help my recovery. BAM!
Another setback? Do I even know how to train? Yep, setbacks trigger self-doubt, but there is always a way to learn from your mistakes and move on.
Then I developed another bout of foot pain in mid-February, which nearly derailed me mentally. AAUGH!—Picture Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty in that football scene where he misses the ball!—I figured I'd be out of the race again and it felt like 2015 all over again. I started to doubt my abilities big time! Ever since I started foam rolling and doing yin yoga after 2015, I had stopped having issues altogether, so this was totally discouraging. I had a doctor assess my foot and I was able to keep training, thank goodness! Though I was now behind in my training plan—I cut my weekly running back, when I really needed to ramp up my miles. Immediately afterward, there was the cold someone gave me. Am I destined to withdraw from this race? Thank Gawd I got better in 1-2 days with the help of good ol' fashioned vitamin C!
I'm not giving up though. I'm determined to use these setbacks as learning tools, if I can wrap my head around them. I'm noticing a trend, when I slow down on my long runs, I seem to run forever, and when I run my long runs too hard, I develop issues! It's the darn speed work beating me up. Or is it? What I have to acknowledge is that it's my own darn ego that is causing my issues. When your training plan says to take your long runs slow, do it!
Here's a look at last week's training:
Keep in mind that for a 50k you typically run more mileage than I have, but I had to learn some hard lessons this time around.
Sunday- Recovery day. Foam roll and stretch sessions.
Monday- 2-mile walk. 6-mile bike ride. Leg day, Caroline Girvan's EPIC program.
Tuesday- walk 2 miles, ran 5 miles.
Wednesday- 15-mile run.
Thursday- Yoga and recovery.
Friday- 2-mile walk. 10-mile bike ride. Arm day with FitOn app.
Saturday- 4 miles on the treadmill. Booty and Ab work.
Total miles completed for the week= 46
My goal for this 50k is to finish uninjured and use it as a learning tool to help me prepare for my next race. I've learned so much about myself from the training, so I know the race will teach me even more.
For my next race, I've told my husband that I'd like to hire a run coach. Not because I can't hold myself accountable, but because it would be a valuable tool to have someone assess my form and help me build mileage safely. I want to take my running to the next level. I've had a voice coach and a riding coach, so why wouldn't I have a running coach? Seems logical. Maybe, just maybe, one day I'll even do a 50-miler, if I survive the 50k! Yeesh, don't let me get too far ahead of myself, that's how you find yourself signed up for these races! 50 miles...sounds like...yikes! (But the seeds have been planted).
I need to relax like pup head coach, Tiffany. My goal for this week is to bike, strength train, and run a few small, easy runs since I'm supposed to taper. I intend to get to the start line feeling fresh. If I finish or if I DNF, I'm learning from my victories and mistakes.
Have a great week and thanks for reading. Keep chasing those goals. I'd love to hear your thoughts this week.
Do you prefer training on your own, or with a coach?
What is your next personal goal?
Comments