Marathon Training is hard
Phew!
This weekend I did an 11-mile long run and finished just under 2 hours. The last three miles were brutal, I wanted to give up so badly. I was cold, it was windy, I needed to pee. But then I realized that it’s not even a half of the marathon distance I plan to run on April 15th. So I kept pushing and I finished it.
Y’all, marathon training is really hard. I know, I know: duh.
It’s challenging me both physically and mentally. Probably more of the latter than the former. But, looking at how far I’ve come since I started this journey is super rewarding.
Looking ahead, however, is super intimidating. I brought this up to a friend this weekend and her advice basically boiled down to “stop looking so far ahead!” I’m looking at my training plan, and peeking ahead to March where I have a 20-mile run (my longest) on the schedule, and totally panicking.
Her point was, I don’t have to run 20 miles this week, just focus on adding the single mile to the 11 that I crushed last week. Before I know it, I’ll be up to 19 and I’ll crush that 20-miler (which is a race in Maine, but that’s another post for another day.)
My running group kicks back off today and we’re all training for the 20-miler, so it’s a really great way to keep me accountable. I’m hoping to join in on the group’s long Sunday runs, too, the weekends I’m in town this spring.
Here’s to keeping it going!
