Friday, March 7, 2014

The 6 weeks pre-race curse

Sometimes it's good to look back at past training cycles, old workouts, old posts...helps you see what worked and what didn't. Sometimes it also helps to see how far you have come, and remind you of the things you overcame to get where you are. Right now it's time to focus on moving forward and staying positive despite the setbacks.

This time last year I was training for Cleveland Marathon, and had just run my first race of the year as well as first 20 miler of the year. This year, I have already done 5 races and one 20 miler. So I will call that improvement.

But then there is the 6 week curse I have going for me....

6 Weeks out from Cleveland last year I was dealing with crazy changes and schedules. Still working 2 jobs, trying to train and deal with a million other things going on. Lacking time and motivation, definitely not at my finest.

6 weeks out from Wineglass I was just getting my first speed workout in (after a long break from them), and was dealing with ankle problems, doing a 20 miler, and prepping to go to Virginia Beach for Rock N' Roll Half marathon. Good, bad, and everything in between.

6 Weeks out from CIM, I was dealing with Achilles issues and spent the week doing much more time on the elliptical than running.

Apparently 6 weeks out from race day is a rough time for me. But the thing I see when I put this in writing is that I got through those things. I overcame the stress of being so busy and lacking motivation by reducing mileage (quality over quantity), and getting creative with my training. I overcame ankle & Achilles issues by stepping back and using the elliptical more even when it meant my mileage going down. Wineglass and CIM were back to back PR's, so clearly I did what I needed to do. Granted, this shin issue is more severe than anything I dealt with for any of the 3 marathons last year. It's not going to be as simple, but it's not impossible to work through.

I won't deny this is taking a toll on me mentally, 44 days out from Boston this isn't what I had hoped to be dealing with. Regardless of what my goals are for the race (because I honestly don't know), it's still hard knowing I won't be as prepared as I would like come race day. There have been tears, and angry moments and endless amounts of frustration. This is me being honest, maybe I'm not the biggest bundle of joy right now but I think we ALL know that we are human and things wont always be unicorns & rainbows.


Yup brought me ice and sat next to me while
I tortured myself. He's a keeper.
Maybe this is just the time of the cycle that is meant to remind me to take care of myself. Right now that means, a few days off of running. Perhaps it means 3-4 days, maybe it means a week or more. I honestly can't predict those things right now, and my trusty magic 8 ball isn't helping. Obviously I will still strength train, as well as get my cardio in with biking and the elliptical (possibly the pool, because yeah... I kind of have a few triathlons this year). I think it also means taking some time for myself, we all know the mental battles of being an injured athlete. And yes, I just used the word injured and not issue (that's when you know I mean business).

So now it's focusing on getting healthy and bringing some positive things into my life. I have a wonderful man by my side who loves me and brings me home ice and even sits in the bathroom with me while I cringe through an ice bath. I have awesome friends who have done nothing but cheer me up and support me with the few setbacks I have had lately. I have an awful lot to be grateful for, so tonight (while I am doing the not-running thing) I'll drink a beer and say cheers to the things I am blessed with.



Have you ever looked back and saw a pattern in your training cycles?

What fun plans do you have for the weekend?

15 comments:

  1. This post really spoke to me. It can be hard to find those patterns but when you do, it means that you're being smart and realizing the small changes you may need to make. Last fall, I realized 7 weeks out from my next 26.2 that I wouldn't be able to run it. I'm now 6 weeks out from Boston & let out a shriek of excitement when I realized this cycle is going much better than last cycle did. It sounds like you've got a great attitude (and duh, beer is the best kind of recovery). I have a good feeling about Boston for you :)

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  2. omg! love that he kept you company! That's awesome.

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  3. I'll have a Guinness for you tonight Laura, cheers!
    It's great that you can look back and see that you're able to overcome your struggles...rely on your experience, girl.

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  4. I think it's time for me to do an ice bath. My shins have been crazy tight for the past two weeks and nothing seems to be helping. Not a good year for shins it seems. Fingers crossed you'll be back out there training soon. Now is the time to be smart and it will pay off later

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  5. I have no fun plans but hope weather warms up enough to ride my bike with the kids this weekend. I sure hope your shins get to behaving and doing better for you and that is quite the man to bring you ice and then sit by you!!!!
    You will do just fine with the race and this is just a small bump in the road that I am sure you will overcome :)

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  6. I think it's important to note that at least you track things like progress from race to race and how you feel. To know how you felt 6 weeks out from all of those races is HUGE, just to be able to look back at a training log and know you overcame things before and how you can do it again. It pains me to see runners not really keep track of their training in some way, and then wonder how to avoid burnout, injuries, or just how to have a great race performance.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and I hope you can get back to training again soon. You will be fine, as you have already done so well in other races- even seeing it from 6 weeks out.

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  7. I hope that after a rough week you are feeling better - those ice baths suck but hopefully will help you!! Glad you still have a great attitude!!

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  8. :-( I really hate you have to use the word injured! Take the rest you need girl! It's obvious from your past experiences that the rest will do you good and you'll be back up to speed in no time!!! Hugs!

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  9. Was that really a year ago? Wow it honestly does not feel that way.

    I truly think this weather is playing a role in your shin and I think this week might be a minor bump but I know you are doing to do awesome at Boston. I could not be proud of you and your running journey.

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  10. I think this injury came from cutting out coffee ;)
    But in all seriousness, take care of yourself! You are always good at listening to your body so don't push it now. Hugs <3

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  11. I haven't noticed a real pattern, oh wait, over doing it and getting myself injured.

    I am heading to Annapolis to run with the ladies of Zooma, should be a great time!

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  12. If icing and rest doesn't start to help those shins, you should try seeing a chiropractor. They can help rub it out or use something called the "Graston Technique". Last year I had IT band issues, could barely run 2 miles... wen't to a chiropractor and ran 10 miles in the same day!

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  13. Sounds you know your body and how to rest and recover. I haven't been doing this to long but I have no idea why or when my PF flares up. I have nothin to fun planned. Long run and time with the kiddos!

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  14. I think it is really smart that you track stuff like that. I have been having lots of injury issues and need to take a cue from you and track.

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  15. I'm so bummed that you're going through this. You're being smart with it all, that's really all you can control or do. My fingers are crossed for you, hopefully the rest will aide in a speedy recovery.

    6 weeks out from Boston last year (crazy right?), I had to take 3 full weeks off of running, due to hip pain, after my one and only 20 miler. I didn't get to run another 20 miler, so my longest run after that 3 week recovery was one 15 miler. I got to start and finish the race, which, when it comes down to it, was my main goal. I'm so glad I did that, or else I personally wouldn't have made it to the start. The reason I'm telling you this, is so when you start to panic about how close the race is, you'll realize that you will have time, and you will make it to the start, and will be able finish. (might not be a PR, but who cares, it's BOSTON!)

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