I mentioned the other day that I was having some doubts about Philly. Truth is, I've been having serious doubts for weeks now. Training has been going fine but I just don't feel like I'm prepared for this. I mean, I know I can run the distance; I'm just not sure I can race it and get that 3:35 finish. I've been trying to think back to this time last year and I know I was a nervous wreck but I don't remember feeling so under prepared. Deep down inside I knew I had it in me last year and I wanted it SO BADLY. This year, I'm not sure I have it in me and there's not that desire for a BQ in the back of my mind.
What's worrying me? Well, for starters, I only ran 5 miles in July. FIVE. I got a really late start with this training and had to take it so easy when the boot came off. Now, I did anything but sit around and get lazy while I was in the boot, but I wasn't running. I had a few weeks where I only ran 5-10 miles TOTAL and I didn't hit 10 miles for my long run until mid August (but I increased my weekly long run pretty aggressively from there). Then there's speed work not really starting until late September. And I definitely didn't get in the marathon pace practice that I would have liked. Last year that 8:20 pace was drilled into me and that's all my legs knew. I dunno, with all of this, it just doesn't feel like I got in a solid 12 weeks of training to justify the goal.
But on the flip side, a few weeks out of the boot I ran two 5ks, within a week of each other, while I was sick, and ran a PR of 21:30 at one of them. Then I had a really successful half marathon where my attempt at marathon pace turned into running just under 8 minute miles. On top of this, for the last 6 miles at Asbury Park marathon I ran close to marathon pace and felt incredible.
So there have been some good things over the past 12-15 weeks but is this enough? I'm not so sure. I feel extremely cocky thinking I could even attempt a 3:35 right now. I know it's only a 3 minute PR but to be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about attempting a 3:38-3:40 right now either. I don't want to go for it and have it turn into a miserable experience because I went into it without being fully prepared. Sigh...but I also don't want to not go for it because that's taking the easy way out.
People are telling me to go for it and then back off if I feel it's not going to happen. That's easier said than done because if I tell myself to go for something, I go for it.
12 comments:
I know you want the 3:35, but don't let it rule this race for you. You have to trust your training and if I PR is in the cards, you will find it. If not, it is still another 26.2 miles, which is amazing. And in a wonderful city. Try to enjoy. You will do great, regardless of what your Garmin says.
"BELIEVE" - I think you should write this on your hand or put it on tape so every time you look down at your shoes you see that word and stay strong. You kept an excellent fitness base and you don't need to run every single long run at pace to make your goal. I'm living proof of that, training for Gasp I never trained one single run at pace and I blew my goal time out of the water. You know race day excitement will help carry you and so will your training. BELIEVE!!!
I know you want a PR, but you just came back from injury -- and that's beyond your control. How about throwing the PR idea out of the window, and just running because, well, you CAN (I bet in July you'd give anything to run 26.2 miles, even if slow!).
Then on race day, if you're feeling it, go for it. If not, it's still a successful run. Give yourself a break, you can't PR them all.
I'd even say, cover your Garmin up, and just run by feel, screw those stats.
physically i think you are definitely ready. Your training has been just fine!!!! you've done plenty, dont worry about that. you *could* just go for a PR, that would take a little pressure off and give you a few extra minutes if you need it. you'll be fine. i wouldn;t worry. think of it like this, all that worry and self doubt will get you a 3:39, but confidence will get you 3:34:59. okay, now which one are you going for? :-)
Sorry you're feeling this way... not how you hope to be feeling going into a marathon! I think your training run marathon is the BEST indicator of the kind of shape you are in right now. Would you be more comfortable with going for it and missing it or giving up before you even start? I think we know the answer. :)
Coming off of an injury like yours it's normal to have doubts. If you are hungry for this PR go for it and believe in it!
agree with irunyourun. make it fun, first - then take a crack at it if you're feeling good.
i have a feeling you're going to do awesome either way. :)
Hi Denise,
Do you love to run?
Is running still fun?
I'm sensing that you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. Enjoy the race. Finishing a Marathon is a huge deal in itself. Just do your best.:-)
hang in there girl... you have trained hard, have the strength and just need to believe it yourself. no matter what its another marathon that a few months ago you didn't even know if you would be at the start line for. get excited!!
Pretty much, I acho what everyone else said.
I recently oonfided in a friend that I might bag Philly...just out of fear because of all my issues this year. My REALLY good friend convinced me to go for it, even though I know it won't be my best race. Just to do it and see what happens.
That is my advice for you- go for and see what happens :)
I'm having a lot of the same doubts, mostly because of my start-and-stop training due to injuries, etc. I know I can run but will I kill myself in the process? I dunno. I think each day is a new opportunity and we won't know until we get there. So maybe we just need to get there and let it be what it will.
is there another race in the next 4 weeks or so that you could do? So this one would be like a trial run to get your head right, but not one where you felt like you had to put it all out there? Then you'd have the fitness and maybe mental strength for an A race in a month?
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