Well – my training has hit an all time low. Life is getting pretty stressful these days, and I’m not adapting well right now. It seems that everything I’m trying isn’t working out the way I planned – running included. I am in a deep funk. I’m up about 8 pounds from where I started the year. I’m struggling to find make the time to get my training runs in. I am, in a nutshell, blowing it….
I’m at a decision point here. The Long Beach Half is seven weeks away. My last two HMs were (in my humble opinion) disasters. I’m not into paying good money to put in subpar performances. Which – if I don’t get my crap in order here pretty quickly – is bound to happen again.
So here’s my modified plan. I’ve got to take this in little bites. One day at a time this week. We’ll see how this week progresses. If it does, then I’ll do Long Beach. If it doesn’t, then I think I’m going to pull the plug and take a couple weeks off to get everything sorted out again.
- Monday: Scheduled rest
- Tuesday: 8X400 intervals. One mile warm up/one mile warm down for 6 miles total
- Wednesday: 3 miles easy
- Thursday: 30 minute tempo – 3 or so miles
- Friday: Scheduled rest
- Saturday: 9 miles.
- Sunday: Scheduled rest (Run to the Top on Monday)
- Planned week: 21 miles
Seems like a good plan to me ... it's had to set your mind on one goal when everything conspires to keep your legs from running.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely approaching it the right way - back to getting out there and then see how you feel about making the race.
I would almost add a couple of more days of rest in there at the start ... maybe you have some funky stuff going on in your head that would clear it out ... dunno ...
Hope this works Glenn! Always a bummer when a goal doesn't work out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll rock this schedule. Just one day at a time :)
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI know how much it sucks when things in our lives get stressfull...it just screws everthing up! I am in the same boat right now and I feel for you:)
It sounds like you have a good plan in action! Hang in there and stay positive:)
Oh boy. You really are in a funk! You have a lot of negative thoughts whirling around in that head of yours. Start that positive talk. Find a different place to run if you need to. You *can* do this!
ReplyDeleteThat's *if* you want to. ;)
Funk happens. And sometimes it's hard to get the funk out of your system. But if you can work your way out of this funk, then the next spell will be easier to break. Take it one day at a time and be flexible. If you miss a workout it's not the end of the world. No need to make it up, just continue on as best as you can. So from one running fat guy to another, you can do this. Just put one foot in front of the other and remember that no matter how bad things seem, they can always be worse.
ReplyDeleteWe all have rough spots in training - I like the way you are laying out your goals and plan for your HM. Seeing how you feel as you approach the race seems smart to me!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou gotta reach a point where you either have to accept the fact it's not going the way you need it to or you give up and try again later when you're stronger - which is what you're doing. It's hard (trust me, I know!!). I know it's frustrating, but hang in there Glenn - you got a good plan going and it will work out the way it's suppose to!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one reason I've begun to shy away from expensive races that require registration months and months in advance. You just never know what it going to happen with the training. I hope you come out of your funk. Have you considered seeing a doctor for a physical to make sure nothing is wrong? Or could it be overtraining earlier?
ReplyDeleteHopefully this week will go well for you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are too hard on yourself. I think 9 miles seven weeks out from a half is great! If you stick to your plan and get your long runs in you'll do really well! Don't sell yourself short Glenn. :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I opted out of running in the 1/2 right in my neighborhood this weekend because my heart just wasn't in it and I didn't want to spend the $ and I'm glad I did. Now I can have fun running and not be so focused on a race that I'm not all that into this year. I'll be even more motivated to hit it hard in 2011!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing fine and have plenty of time to tune up before the half. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you want to run 9 miles two days before Run to the Top?
ReplyDeleteYes, one day at a time, have fun each day, if you feel like a different run then scheduled, go wild, do it.
You're still more fit than 90% of the rest of Americans!
You need to add a star rating system to the comments section. B.o.B. and Anne both made really great statements.
ReplyDeleteI feel you, man. Ditto to what Anne suggested. Get checked out, just in case.
ReplyDeleteTaking it one day at a time sounds like a brilliant idea. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! This modified plan can surely get you there!
ReplyDeleteNot only just one day at a time, but one stride at a time as well, especially with those speed sessions. I am sure you will be feeling it again after this week's training. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Glen, you will get your groove back! I say go for LB and do great! -Deirdre ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the funk Glenn. We could even call it the G-funk. It just sounds familiar, can't think of the song that is sparking it right now.
ReplyDeleteAnywho. I take it you haven't yet signed up for Long Beach which is good in case you do need to back out. Hopefully things will chill out and you'll feel a sense of normalcy again soon.
Glenn, I have been in something of a funk this summer as well, but I am starting to emerge from it. I was blaming my bad running on the weather, and I had always thought that running was the escape for everything going on in your life (stress, work pressures, etc). But someone recently told me that running can also be a reflection of everything going on in your life. I had never really thought of that, and in my case that was true. I cleared my race schedule, dialed back the training, and tried to gain some perspective. Now, our weather is cooling down, things are settling down, and I am feeling like racing again! Not saying you should pull the plug on any plans, but in my case it was helpful to take a step back and re-evaluate.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you, Glenn!
I think we all go through funks at some point in our training. Good thing is you have a plan of attack. Give yourself some slack. Maybe take an extra added day of rest to relax and re-evaluate. You'll learn if your heart is in it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Glenn, thanks for your encouraging words on my post about the marathon. You're right, the race will always be there and it's important that I'm around to make sure I can finish it later.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to your post, it sounds like you have some of the same issues. Part of my reason for dropping out of the Chicago Marathon was time. How am I supposed to run 18, 20, 22 miles when I'm gone every weekend or traveling for work?
Sometimes things need to be prioritized, and unfortunately, this time for me, running was not the priority.
good luck!