Getting Back on the Wagon
| January 18, 2012 | Posted by Lauren under Marathon Training, Running |
Miles driven this past weekend: 811
Miles run: 0
Amount of things wrong with this picture: too many to count
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I have a lot of excuses to explain my lack of running over the long weekend (no time, no place, not feeling well, etc) but when it comes down to it, they’re all just excuses. And as the saying goes, if something is really important to you, you won’t make an excuse – you’ll find a way to do it.
(Source)
I have to admit that so far in 2012, I have been full of excuses. I’ve been too busy, too tired, too distracted to really kick my training up a notch. I keep putting my launch into all-out training off for another day, another week. Meanwhile the weeks pass by and we get closer and closer to Boston – the marathon I worked toward qualifying for all of last year.
For whatever reason, I’ve just had a really hard time getting back into any sort of routine after the holidays, whether it be with running, blogging, or anything else. There has been a lot on my mind, and running hasn’t quite been the stress reliever that it was in the past. Usually when I’m stressed and just go out for a run, I feel better. But when I’m stressed and need to stick to a training plan, running simply becomes one more thing that I have to do.
I know that I am in need of a major change in perspective. Instead of dreading each tough training run, I need to visualize my goal (3:10) and get excited to work toward it. Instead of seeing each run as something I have to do, I need to look at it as a challenge that I want to complete – a challenge that not only keeps life exciting, but will push me to be a better runner every single day. I know that I am capable of putting in the hard work that it takes to improve. I just need to get back in the habit of doing it.
So last night after work I dragged myself out the door for a cold and rainy 11 mile run. I can’t say that the thought of running for an hour and a half in the dark rainy night was particularly exciting, but I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer. The first few miles were tough. I concentrated on getting myself into the zone of running instead of focusing on each and every mile that was passing by. My loop took me through my favorite parts of the city, and finally, as I found myself running alone down a muddy path, something clicked. I remembered what a blessing and a privilege it is that I even have the ability to train. And I remembered that ultimately, no matter what stress I’m dealing with in my life, running makes me feel better.
Training is never easy. There are always going to be days when it’s hard to get yourself out the door, or push yourself to run faster than you think you are able. There will be days when the run sucks, when it’s all you can do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. There will be days when you feel discouraged and tired, and days when you wonder why the heck you’re even putting yourself through this type of torture anyway.
But for all those really crappy days when you question your existence as a runner, there will be great days too. Days when the run feels effortless. When you go faster than you ever expected. Days when you reach new PRs or distance records. And days when you go to bed feeling so tired but so proud of all you’ve accomplished.
I need to remember that I train because I like the roller coaster ride. And ultimately, when I get on the starting line I want to know that I gave everything I had to make sure I was prepared for that one moment. Fast or slow, PR or not, I want to finish a race knowing that I gave it my all. Which means that I need to put the work in now. Days when I find it nearly impossible to get outside in the cold and the dark, that feeling at the end of the race is what I need to visualize and work toward.
Starting today, I am going to push myself back onto the training wagon. I will stop the excuses and start sticking to the plan. And I’m going to do that the only way I know how – simply, and one step at a time.
Simple Steps to Kick My Butt Into Gear
1.) Print out my training plan. Having it on my computer where I can’t see it everyday is not a very effective form of motivation.
2.) Post it online to keep me accountable. (coming soon!)
3.) Change my routine. Just like getting up, walking the dog, and going to work, running needs to become an essential part of my day again – not something I tack on at the end if I have time.
4.) Start looking ahead. I never expect myself to stick to a training plan 100%. Things come up that are outside of my control all of the time. BUT, I can do my best to minimize those things by looking ahead and planning for it. I knew well in advance that I was going to spend all of last weekend driving all over Vermont, which meant a lot of sitting and not much moving. Instead of just hoping that I’d have time/a place to run over the weekend, I could have shifted a long run up earlier in the week to make sure I got it in.
5.) Prioritize. There are a lot of moving parts in my life right now. Many of these things are very exciting, but they still are sources of stress. And while they’re all very important, they’re not the end-all be-all. I need to run not only because it keeps me fit, but also because I am a better person when I do so. I’m less grumpy, more rational, and just better to be around. Which means that running needs to be as much of a priority as everything else.
This post sort of serves as my wake up call. As my reminder that the winter may seem long, but it’s going to pass me by before I know it. I can take these simple steps to get myself back into the habit of training. Once it becomes a part of my routine, it won’t be a great big question mark at the end of every day. It’ll just be something that is as natural as breathing.
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But I still need some help – any other good tricks you use to jump start your routine and get yourself back on the training wagon?
You have a ton going on in the next 6 + months and I’ll be there to support you through it all! I know you’ll succeed at your goals even if it does take a kick in the butt every once in awhile. : ) But I do agree holding yourself accountable online will help- plus I love seeing training plans! I also agree that sometimes life happens and its okay to push forward the long run until you can fit it in. You’re an experienced runner and you know what you’re doing.
LIZZY´s last post ..Red Curry Shrimp Dumplings & Green Vegetable Curry
Wow, that map is intense. You’ll get there. Training plans and holding myself accountable on various platforms is my main go-to when getting back on the wagon! You’ll do it girl!
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe´s last post ..It’s What I Ate Wednesday!
This is part of why I got myself a running coach for my marathon. Obviously you are far more seasoned than me, so that is not something you need
but being accountable to someone besides myself and reporting back to someone makes me do it even when I can come up with a billion reasons not to
I did a half towards the end of november, then took a couple weeks off for recovery, then the holidays happened and oh look, it is mid-january and i just managed to get my butt running again this week! It’s soooo hard to get started again when you’ve been off for awhile but what is getting me through the first few runs is knowing that it gets easier to do once it becomes a habit again! I think my main motivation was that I want to do another half in the spring and if I am going to get there I have gotta put that training in! Then it gets fun again
811 miles driven in one week?! Whoa. I’m so sorry! I feel the same way about getting back on the eating healthy wagon. I feel no motivation to do so, so even though I want to I never do. I need to lay out a plan like you did.
go get ‘em! training over the winter is difficult too but again that’s an excuse! i have a “sub-3:40″ reminder on my cell when i wake up…talk about motiviating you to get your butt out of bed!
i can’t wait for boston!!!
Kristy@RunTheLongRoad´s last post ..Breaking The Curse
Not sure if it works this way for you, but I definitely find that it’s easier for me to stick to an established pattern, and that doing things makes me want to do them more (to a point). So when I am running a lot, I like running a lot. When I’m cooking a lot, I like cooking a lot. And it goes both ways, so when I’m sitting on the couch and eating takeout and watching tv a lot…well, that kind of increases in appeal as well. So my advice is just to re-establish those habits and let yourself go – just a little bit – on autopilot with them. You have enough to THINK about right now, so sometimes just DOING can be a lot less intimidating/overwhelming than taking the time to actually consider it. And of course, I am not above rewarding myself for doing things – my favorite bribe tends to be the promise of getting coffee on my way home from a run to reward myself for getting up and out the door.
Yes – getting into the habit can be the hardest part, but once that habit has been established, it does make training easier. It gets ride of the debate and the excuses. Plus, like you, the more I run, the more I WANT to run. So I know that if I just push it through these next couple of weeks, things with training will fall into place.
Hi there – you are entitled to take a little time off as you are planning a wedding!
However, I have noticed that my running friends (the running club) have been very motivating in getting me off my butt to run. Sometimes after a long day at work, doing a tempo run is the last thing I would like to do; however, seeing my friends texting me about their practice one motivated me to take the first step.
I also sign up for shorter races (once a month or so) to keep me motivated as well.
I always find that buying new running gear/shoes always helps me get back on track =)
Looking forward to following your training as I’m hoping for sub-3:10 this spring as well!!!!
Michele @ nycrunningmama´s last post ..Sparkly Soul Headbands Giveaway Winner!
oh goodness, i have been having these exact same thoughts! so many excuses…not so much running. and the thing is – the less i run and the more i delay my boston training…the more anxious i feel. good for you for getting out there and running 11 miles post-work! one of the best things that helps me to get back on the wagon (and stay there) is having a running buddy. i can offer my virtual motivation from nyc
Megan (The Runner’s Kitchen)´s last post ..Ladies Weekend
Maybe I will just move to NYC and run WITH you. That sounds like a pretty great solution to me.
Posting your training online can help, it helps me on daily mile. Also, I find if I don’t get my run done at 4:30 am before work, there is too many hours in the day where I can talk myself out of it. I NEVER ran in the morning until I had no other choice due to work and spending time with my hubby after dinner. I look forward to supporting you in your training : )
making plans and schedules, which it sounds like you’re doing! Then I feel more accountable. Also definitely planning runs with buddies or getting some races on the calendar. Getting out there first thing in the a.m. is also key for me – I don’t even think about not running, I just go!
Kelly´s last post ..The week & spring marathon plans
I need to write a training plan, so you’re ahead of me on that one! For some reason I’ve been dragging on training for Boston…even though the miles are there, it doesn’t necessarily feel like I’m back in training. Started doing speed workouts a couple weeks ago, and knowing that I’m going to be toeing the line in Boston with you (and maybe a few others!) with the goal of running 3:10 helps to motivate me because having a collective goal for race day makes me want to be accountable to others as well. So there you go, you have to face me if you don’t train!
Obviously the best solution would be for you to move to NYC and run with all of us, but I guess that might not happen…
Susan´s last post ..did you know that…
And I don’t want to face you unprepared, so it’s time to get out there!
Also, I really think I need to just move to NYC. Then we can train together…which will, of course, solve all problems.
I’m in the same boat with trying “just a little bit harder” at cross training and strength training — “I’ll be more dedicated tomorrrow.”
I try to remind myself that there will be ebbs and flows with anything. For a while, I might be super motivated and be eager to put in all the work. And, other times, I’ll wonder why I had those big goals I set in the first place. I try to remind myself that I want those goals for a reason – not every day will be fun and I won’t always like it, but I will regret not putting in my best effort in those harder-to-motivate times than not. I will regret not putting my best effort forth to run a 3:35 marathon (someday…sigh). Dance Moms (or Kardashians or wtv) will always be there.
That being said, I do sometimes cut myself a little slack. You just got engaged! You went to Vermont! These are exciting times in life you won’t get back. Enjoy those and then, when appropriate, start to kick your own ass.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Meggie´s last post ..I’ll Tell You What’s Up
Just remember – the good runs would be so awesome if there weren’t some shitty ones thrown it!
Emily´s last post ..SNOW DAY, gym passes mean showers, slow cookers
love the poster! so true.
Cole´s last post ..West Point Track Meet 1/14/2012
I feel like you and I are on the same wavelength sometimes. I’ve been spending the last few weeks (or months…) in denial that Boston is coming, and I am getting myself back on the wagon too, finally. I try to remember that the hard work now will be worth it later, and that overall, running DOES make me a better person and I do it because it makes me happy. Lately it’s been feeling like a struggle, but I think the more I get out there and develop fitness and do workouts, the more my drive will return and I’ll get into it. At least, that’s the hope. Faking it until you make it?
Lindsay´s last post ..Boston 2012 Training Plan
haha yes. Faking it till you make it is definitely a good approach in this case! I don’t know why it’s been so hard to get back into training mode this time around. But I am telling myself that once I’m a couple of weeks in, it’ll get easier. It’s just making it a habit that’s the hard part.
Probably silly questions, but is there a particular reason why Boston has to be your “A” race for the year? Any chance that you may believe prioritizing other things (job, family, friends, wedding stuff, etc.) over your time goal somehow makes running Boston less awesome? My initial feeling is no, it doesn’t, but maybe that’s just me. Good luck with your training goals, though – I find that I can move from “wanting” into “having” when I decrease the self-judgement aspect of my approach to things. You’re doing awesome things, you’re getting out there, and every run counts.
Not a silly question at all! You brought up a really great point, and it’s something that I’ve actually been thinking about for the past couple of weeks. The truth is that it doesn’t need to be my “A” race. I think I got caught up in seeing it that way after a.) all the hype around signing up; b.) my performance at MCM and wanting to do better and c.) the other runners who will also be racing it. I would still like to do well but you’re right – even if I relax my training because of everything else that is going on right now, it doesn’t make Boston any less awesome.
Thanks for your comment AND the perspective!
I needed to read this! I just came off my A marathon and the runner’s high that goes with that. I do have another marathon coming up in 6 weeks but have not even made up a training schedule for that one yet. Everything in my life had been leading up to Houston and now that it’s over I know I need to move on! I love that No Excuses sign. Not sure if you ever watch Biggest Loser but that is actually the theme this season- No Excuses!
Looking forward to seeing you on Daily Mile. The beginning of the year is a great time to start using it again and “being accountable” online.
Tia´s last post ..Pace Teams- Yes? No? Maybe so?
New shoes always carrot me to keep moving. But seriously, I think sometimes people just get into funks. I try to remind myself why I run when I don’t want to run. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t but you have to remember this too will pass.
Jessica @ Early AM Runner´s last post ..Officially a Winter Runner