Apr 15, 2007 21:32
I am tired.
Today was a really, really long day...after a really, really long few weeks
but I first need to back up a bit.
So, the past two weeks everything in my life schedule has been all turned upside down-nothing bad at all-it's just that I have been sooo freakin' busy. Last week was so busy that for two days I literally could not free up enough time to do the 3 and 6 mile run. I managed to squeeze in the Saturday long run of 7 miles though. Then this week everything was going ok until this weekend. My family came up yesterday and so I couldn't go on my long Saturday run-which would have been a 12 mile course. Today I was working all day until 5-then I finally managed to get enough time to head out.. I was exhausted even before I began the run but I was determined to finish all 12 miles.
The first 5 miles were ok, but within the first mile I noticed that my right ankle was starting to bother me but I pressed on. Upon hitting the 8 mile mark the pain really started to increase and I started to wonder if something serious was wrong. I pressed on for about another 1/2 mile then the pain was such that I had to stop..and it pissed me off BIG TIME. But I just couldn't take the risk of taking a minor injury and making it worse by pressing on. So for the next 4 miles I walked home.
It bothers me that I wasn't able to finish the run. It's the first long run I have not been able to finish. I know that it wasn't due to being out of breath or tired muscles-but still..failing to finish is failing to finish:( Fortunately I started my training program almost 4 months ahead of time so I have plenty of "flex" time in my schedule to get back on course..but still-it was disheartening. Even as I am sitting here writing, my ankle is swollen and pretty painful. maybe I twisted it or something..I will just have to see how it feels in the morning.
I am really struggling with finding the time to train. As the mileage goes up-so too does the time requirements. 1 hour on Tuesdays and thursdays, 2 hours on Wednesdays and about 3+ hours on Saturdays. And the weather lately has really been making it difficult as well. I will run in almost any temperature and snow, but I try to not run when it is raining. That's a good way to slip and fall, either that-or catch a cold.
This Spring the weather has sucked. 30-40 degrees and that nasty cold sleeting rain almost every day. argh.
So anyway, I am sitting here nursing this ankle and feeling a bit dejected and angry for not being able to finish the run today. :( I will just try to keep telling myself that these things happen and I just need to take them in stride and refocus and restrategize to continue on.
I am just starting to get a taste of what it will take to run a marathon. Up until now the mileage has been under 10 miles-and from here on out it increases. I don't have any experience with distances like this, but having tasted 11 and 12 miles I can tell you that it is tough-much, much tougher than it may seem. And what is funny is that it isn't at all tough in the way that I was expecting. It isn't the exhausted of the running that is making it so hard-it's the mental side-the tedium at times of all those steps..one after another after another. It's lonley out there running by yourself every day. I love running and I look forward to it every day..but still..there are days when I start out and I think "ok..that was 3 miles..how many left?"
Most groups don't start training for a marathon until 18 weeks prior to the race-which in my case means that until June I am on my own. But once June comes, it will be a good thing when I pair up with other runners for support and company.
It's just hard balancing work, life AND such a grueling training schedule. My free time is almost completely gone already and until the summer it is just going to get busier.
So anyway, I am going to get a good nights sleep. Things often look better in the morning when I am rested. I need to re-dedicate myself to not only finding time for the training-but also for rest and general goofing off fun.
g'night
marathon training