In 2011, I started running. In 2014, I’ll be running the oldest and most prestigious marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon. With this series, I’m sharing the techniques I use to coach myself (mentally, emotionally and physically) through six months of training. Thanks for joining me!
Opposite of Ease
I feel out of the habit of training. It seems to take me forever to get ready to head out the door. I forget things. They’re scattered all over the house. It seems like everything I need is up two flights of stairs! (At least I’m getting a nice warm up out of my forgetfulness.)
Besides this, I spend a lot of time thinking about what I’m going to be doing and when. Because I’m in a base-building (and also recovery) mode, I want to make sure I have lots of flexibility. But there’s a way in which that is back-firing. It’s taking loads of energy to decide what to do, when to do it, where to do it.
In my previous training cycles, I simply looked at the runs I had for the week, looked at my schedule and slotted them in. Then I looked at the class schedule for my gym, and identified a couple of classes I could attend. (Every week I try to get in a yoga class or two, plus cross-training such as spinning or Zumba. If it’s nice, I’ll look to do a ride outside.)
Systems Wanted
This has all been sorted out before. It’s time to bring in more ease. To set it up so it’s ridiculously easy. While I’m desiring (and needing) flexibility, which has me resisting a plan, ironically, I’ll have more flexibility with a plan. I won’t have to spend so much time thinking about what needs to happen, when and how and where I’ll do it.
Training
Getting in (and feeling strong on) all three of my different training runs this week feels really great. My long run was a new distance milestone for this cycle. While I’ve successfully hit 12 miles many times over the last couple of years of marathon training, this time, it’s almost as exciting as the first time. Not feeling completely confident that I’ll be physically capable of the endurance required to run for hours at a time, each milestone gives me more confidence that actually running Boston is possible.
I also enjoyed a couple of yoga classes and a spin class with a new instructor. That’s such a great cross-training workout! I’ll definitely be back for that.
Active Every Day
Last week, I mentioned the November Challenge: Active Every Day. It’s a fun way of not letting the shorter, colder days get the better of you. And by you, I also mean me.
The idea is that you don’t have to do anything specific, it just needs to be purposeful and more active that you might otherwise be. One participant walked to the store instead of driving, another ran up and down the stairs while working instead of walking, several went on runs when they really wanted to stay inside where it was warm.
I’d love to have you join me. Get the details about Active Every Day here. Or simply, do a little more purposeful activity today. (And tomorrow. And the next day.) And if you’d like, share it!
Photo: Double Rainbows over Portland. They’re not full, so I don’t think they mean anything.
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