Running a marathon is on my bucket list. So I figured the first step to running a marathon is running a half marathon, right? So I started training for this half marathon. And by training I mean vaguely running more than I had run in the past. I stopped running for a few weeks in there when my shin splints were unbearably painful, but then my friend Annie and I agreed to run the half together in Charlottesville (because really, if you have to run 13 miles, why not do it in the best place on Earth?) and I got myself back on track...no pun intended.
Anyway, I've been in intense training mode since I returned from Jamaica. My steps in training for this half have included:
1) joining the gym next door to my apartment complex (this may or may not have also included an ulterior motive in that I wanted to find a place to meet men...preferably straight men, I know plenty of un-straight men but I'm not their type)
2) running 3 days a week (2 shorter runs + 1 longer run on the weekend), cross training 2 days a week, lifting weights 2 days a week, and resting 1 day/week.
3) signed up for 1 session a week with a (supercute) trainer (again, may or may not have same ulterior motive as above)
I have been successful so far, and I've managed to increase my "longest mileage run without walking" from 3 miles to 5 miles, of which I was pretty gosh darn proud, but I did that 5 mile run this past Saturday, and I am totally hitting a wall this week. I did 4 miles on Monday, went to meet my trainer on Tuesday, and was supposed to do 4 miles again last night but ended up having to complete said 4 miles in sprint/walk intervals because my shin splits wanted a piece of the action again.
I have to do 6 miles on Saturday and I can think of roughly 1 million things I'd rather do instead (top of the list: staying in bed). I know I'm just having an unfortunately extended case of the Mondays this week, but I need some help to snap out of it. Anyone got any advice on how to break down this wall I am running into??
3 comments:
actually, you're NOT running into a wall.
my suggestion is a new running mix and something running-attire related (matters how good you look, right?)
OR an excellent reward (something you REALLY want) that you can only have if you complete your run. Mani/pedi?
when i have the luxury of running at all these days, the best part is always how good i feel after.
maybe reduce your shorter run to 3 miles as you are slowly increasing your longer runs. that way your shins have more of an opportunity to heal. I only did 4 mile runs during the week when I was running 10 on the weekends. It is more about endurance. Also, maybe get some new running shoes?
You can do it!!
are you treadmill running or outside running? i know an outside run is exactly what i need/want/can't have sometimes- so maybe try varying where you run?
also, when i just can't run any longer, i set the incline to like 10 and go at a speed of about 4.4 for 3-5 minutes so i am really toning and keeping up the heart rate w/o ACTUALLY running.
also, maybe a good movie on TV while running on the treadmill? (i watched Scream 2 today- yes you read that right, Scream 2)
again, i'm probably no good at advice b/c i ran all of my races pretty much without training. and i only run on treadmills these days.
if that doesn't work, i like the idea of new running clothes.
and if that's not an option- mac & cheese. from the blue box. eaten straight out of the pot. that solves everything :)
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