Sorry I have been MIA. It's never so easy to move on after a crappy race. Especially, a marathon. It's not like a 5k that can be repeated the following weekend. So, I went through the usual range of emotions:
1. I'm always proud after I marathon. I was proud of this Boston.
2. Then, disappointed. I worked so hard. The grieving for that probably took 2 weeks.
3. Then, I really wanted to race another marathon. Badly!
4. Then, I didn't want to run 20 miles ever again.
5. Then, I let it go. Live and learn. I moved on.
I mean c'mon. It was a 3:02. The self whining was ridiculous. Yes, I failed to reach my goal. But hell, at least I wasn't injured. I left the finish line with a bruised ego but also with a shit ton of fitness that I would build off of. Then, shop around to other shorter races.
I bought new running shoes. I bought 2 pairs of booty shorts and said ONWARD!
Now, I'm back to 5k/10k/15k training. I'm not stalking any fall marathons YET, but when I feel fit I'm going for it. Last summer most of my long runs could have been pushed into marathons with great PR's. But I waited too long and eventually injured. Lesson learned.
My mileage is around 80/week now. I'm in the gym about 5 days a week doing core, stretching, arms. It's almost like a vacation. But the humidity is surely starting to destroy that fantasy!
I'm in a good spot now. I am happy with my training. I'm up at 4:30am 7 days a week and usually have shoes on ground by 5:30ish. I get to watch the sunrise and do what I love to do. But don't take that fluff for defeat or complacency. I am hungry! I want a better summer than last year. I want a 5k, 10k and 15k PR. Then I want to march my ass 26.2 miles to my fastest marathon yet. I won't concede. I won't give up.
That is why I love this sport. Sure, you can have fails, but as long as you learn from them then you'll just be that much stronger. If someone said, Laura: HERE is the recipe for a 2:50 marathon. Do this, eat that and you'll get there guaranteed. I would say, get that needle out of my arm! Haha. Joke. I would say no, training is an adventure. It's life, it's living. I don't want the easy way out. I love the daily grind, becoming stronger. Give it here!
Again, thank you for all your support and kind words! I'm really just a physical token of all the cheers, love, support and encouragement I get from you guys. Without that I may as well just treadmill in the dark. LOL.
Cheers to happy summer running guys! I promise to update more!!
Laura
I think you already have the recipe for a 2h50...
ReplyDeleteNow what I want to see is a sub 18:00 for 5km (I know you don't like the short stuff, but it's needed for a good marathon.)
What about the 10km? sub 37:00
And a half sub 82...
Oh so what is the recipe?
Just 3 things:
1st you need to choose your parents well. (I think your choice was good)
2nd hard work, and we all know your aren't afraid of hard work
Now the 3rd point is the most difficult and I believe the one you struggle with the most... Rest! Rest and more Rest