SOoooo, After a few training runs, I settled into a pace that I felt comfortable with. Based on this pace, I was able to come up with a new goal. The problem was, I based that goal on what I am capable of NOW on the training runs. I did not take into account all the other things that come up during race day, bathroom stops, water stops, crowds, tired legs, etc. But anyway, I've come quite attached to this goal! I worked my butt off this training cycle to make sure I came in under pace during every training run.
With that being said, I do have a few concerns. First of all, I am completely exhausted! I'm at the point now that I don't want to work towards that goal anymore. I'm not giving up, but I need to realize that if I don't make it, it's my own fault. I just can't put the effort into it anymore because I have been SO tired. I don't know if I even have one more long run left in me. I just can't wait for the race to be over. As we were talking about tapering, I expressed my sheer exhaustion to a running friend. She asked when my last long run was and I told her I did 15 miles that weekend, 12 the weekend before, 13 before that, and 18 before that, and so on.
"Well no wonder you are so exhausted" she said.
She told me that when she was training for Dopey last year that she was only doing long runs every other weekend. Weekends in between long runs she only did 6-8 miles. I took her advice this weekend and only did 7 miles and it felt SO good!
My second concern is this. My injury has not come back but I can tell that by mile 13 I'm running on tired legs and my feet are starting to hurt. Not an, I'm injured kind of hurt, but a my feet are tired of hitting the pavement type of hurt. I currently wear the Mizuno Enigmas, which have some extra cushioning. I've bragged about these shoes because I DO like them BUT the thought has crossed my mind to go back to my Altra Olympus (the shoes I loved but they didn't love me back).
You may remember me saying that the Olympus were the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, hands down! And even though I don't wear them anymore, I will still stand by that statement. I don't wear them anymore because they are zero drop and I believe that may be what caused this whole pesky injury to begin with. However, last year my chiropractor gave me some heel wedges for my running shoes to see if that helped. I never ended up putting them in my shoes because at that point I was just ready to try a non- zero drop pair. I know that going back to those Olympus (even with the heel wedge) is probably not a smart thing to do so I doubt I'll actually go through with it, but it is so tempting when I know how comfy they are! I have worn my current Mizunos for this entire training cycle (since August) so perhaps it is time for a new pair. I did let Santa know that!
Do you have any advice for me? -M
I'm sure you'll do great, Meranda. Sometimes we get into our heads too much, but you've put in the hard work to train for this race, and I'm sure you'll have a blast since after all, its at Disney! Can't wait to cheer you on in a couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence Kathryn!
DeleteYou've put in all this training already and you're almost there! You just have to stick it out for the 20 more days :) I hope Santa was listening about the new pair of shoes because it sounds like that may be just what you need.
ReplyDeleteI hope a new pair of shoes does the trick!
DeleteI hope Santa brings you new running shoes!! :-)))
ReplyDeleteTrust your training at this point-- you've got it!
I agree that it's normal to feel exhausted. You're training! Come race day, you'll have tapered and will get to the start line feeling fresh and ready to fly. I bet that you just need a new pair of shoes!
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well on race day! I'm ready!
DeleteIts definitely normal to be tired but you shouldn't be overly exhausted! If you are, maybe you are overtraining and need to cut back a bit. I also think the taper helps a lot, and you should be feeling better by race day. Don't try anything new right now- you never know if you might end up with a new problem!
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a delicate balance between over training and feeling like i'm doing enough!
DeleteI am sure you will do great! If the miles on the shoes are getting up there then it probably won't hurt to quickly get a new pair now and break them in before the race. Generally tired feet feeling after running distance at this point would suggest undertraining but I don't think that is your case at all. It may just be time for new shoes, or possibly your spending too much time on your feet in your non running parts of your day at work and maybe in the wrong types of shoes. We often forget what we are wearing and doing when we are not running is just as important as when we are, especially when it comes to our feet. Hope you can figure out which adjustments to make or new shoes to buy soon. I would air a side of caution against putting any inserts or switching shoes at this point. Especially with your past history, I would keep to what has been working maybe just a fresh new pair:)Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't think my shoes are worn out at all but I guess a new pair wouldn't hurt!
DeleteI am sure you will do great! If the miles on the shoes are getting up there then it probably won't hurt to quickly get a new pair now and break them in before the race. Generally tired feet feeling after running distance at this point would suggest undertraining but I don't think that is your case at all. It may just be time for new shoes, or possibly your spending too much time on your feet in your non running parts of your day at work and maybe in the wrong types of shoes. We often forget what we are wearing and doing when we are not running is just as important as when we are, especially when it comes to our feet. Hope you can figure out which adjustments to make or new shoes to buy soon. I would air a side of caution against putting any inserts or switching shoes at this point. Especially with your past history, I would keep to what has been working maybe just a fresh new pair:)Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's coming so quickly, and then it'll be over. I wouldn't switch shoes this close to the race though because could happen. I think post-race is the time to see how the heel wedges work in your Altras.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping a new pair of Mizunos does the trick!
DeleteIt sounds like you are in a little bit of a running rut and are just tired from all the hard work you have done! TAPER TIME. :) Maybe taper a little early?
ReplyDeleteI really want to taper early but my PT said one more 15 mile run! Ugg!
DeleteGood luck! When I ran dopey my longest run was 18. I didn't run fast by any means but I finished. I am a believer in getting to the starting line fresh and healthy and slightly under trained as opposed to training too much and being tired and injured. I'm just running the half and have zero times goals, just a goal to have FUN!
ReplyDeleteYea, I think that was my problem last year. I was over trained and ended up injured.
DeleteI'm not surprised you're exhausted- you're running a lot! Have you adjusted your diet to account for all the calories burned? My husband went through a few months where he was running 13 miles every few days. He really had to increase his food intake just to maintain his energy (he still lost a lot of weight). I'd trade in for a new pair of Mizunos. They're what you've been training in and I'd be a little weary to go back to the shoe that you suspect caused you injury. :/ As for your time goal, try not to hold yourself to it so much. I went into a half so focused on time that I didn't enjoy the race. It wasn't until mile 9 that I came to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to hit my goal and by that time I was so disappointed that I couldn't enjoy the rest of it. You're going in stronger than last year, so you're already off to a better start! :)
ReplyDeleteI could definitely do better with my nutrition. I said that was something I wanted to focus more on this time around but I didn't do as good of a job as I should have.
DeleteI would get some new shoes and try to get 30-40 miles on them before race day. I always rotate between shoes and have a relatively new pair for a marathon. They feel better and help my feet and legs so much. If Santa does not bring them, treat yourself during your break from school! See you in a few weeks!
ReplyDeleteI rotate my shoes between long runs and short runs. I always wear the Enigma's for the long runs cus they have more cushion. Shorter runs I wear the waveriders.
DeleteSo you know how wonderfully comfortable those Altras are. I really wish they worked for me as running shoes. Do you think it will be okay to continue to use them for walking shoes?
ReplyDeleteI need extra cushion in my shoes and wear a Superfeet insole (Berry). Without the insole my feet hurt a little bit, but with it I feel like my legs get tired before my feet do. No pain!
ReplyDeleteKeep trusting your gut. You'll do really well on race day!
You will do fantastic! Rest up a little bit, you have put in a lot of miles. I hope you have a great race!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great!! I wouldn't make a huge change going into a full marathon by switching back to your old shoes with heel lifts. Seems too risky. Best of luck to you! I wish I was going to be there!
ReplyDeleteMy advice? Just go with what you know. Stop second guessing yourself. It's all up to the running gods and your training now!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had advice... but I'll just wish you the best in all the decision making!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it frustrating when you like a shoe but then know its the shoe turning on you causing injury that gets you in this decision place in the first place? Stupid shoes.
I wouldn't change a thing at this point. Taper time is always exhausting for me, too. I would just trust your training, and believe in yourself! Keep Movin' forward lady!! xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI totally understand that feeling of exhaustion and just not wanting to train anymore. I am a strong believer in the adage that "it is better to arrive at the starting line healthy and a little undertrained than overtrained and battling impending injury." My suggestion is to try to rest up as much as you can, both physically and mentally. Enjoy every last minute of that taper!
ReplyDeleteI'd say of course it's time for a new pair! I usually try to get a new pair of shoes about a month before a goal race if my current pair are close to being done. That way there are no surprises or time to get a different pair if it's not right
ReplyDeleteI've never done a full, but yeah, even training for a half, even on much less mileage -- you do just get tired. Hopefully your motivation will be renewed as you taper.
You've got this! It's tough when you just want the race to hurry up and get here so you can finish it up. Sounds like scaling back the long runs for a little bit may be just what you needed.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
ReplyDeleteI've tried other shoes but I like my Mizunos the best. I like to get a new pair a few weeks before a big race.
I've got no advice- I'm not that kind of runner lol. But I DO think you are going to surprise yourself on race day. You've done the training, you've got the experience, and you know... it's Disney. There's something to be said for running through the parks! I look forward to hearing how you crushed your goal.
ReplyDeleteI am currently training for my first marathon, and one thing I love about it is the long runs are every other weekend. I am using the Jeff Galloway 6 month training plan, very do able, very easy on my body... slow build which is exactly what I needed. I was so worried about injury. I am in week 12 and so far so good !
ReplyDeleteAre you sleeping enough? Your body does need time to recover both from your running and everything else you do in the day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, would it be worth taking an iron supplement if you don't already? Sometimes we forget how much our blood is working transporting all that oxygen when we exercise!
i definitely think you have put in enough work to be prepared so just to taper well (enjoy the holidays, get lots of sleep, spend time packing and prepping) and you will be ready for the race in no time!
ReplyDeleteI definitely follow the jeff galloway plan of alternating long runs: I do a long run and then a cut back week. I am a bit off on my running now as I had a crazy November(8 races total) and early December (another 10k and 20 miler) and trying to make sure I am well rested for the january races I have coming up.
I would say that if you haven't trained in those shoes, then don't go back to them at least until the race is over! Stick with what you've been using!
ReplyDelete