As I’ve mentioned a million times, I am all set and registered for my first-ever marathon: Denver Rock ‘n Roll on September 22. After the Colorado Half Marathon two weeks ago, I sat down and wrote up a training schedule that would get me through the coming summer months so that I will feel adequately trained and prepared for my first 26.2.
The problem? That training plan has fallen into the trash over the past two weeks!
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I don’t need to tell you again that we are in busy season for work, and I am just plain exhausted. I’m at work every morning by 6:45am at the latest and my days aren’t ending earlier than 5-6pm. Sure, there are hours after work but quite honestly, I am so exhausted that I come home and CRASH. Plus, there has been some added chaos going on that’s taking away the remainder of my mental toughness. Am I whining? Yeah, kind of. I’ll stop now!
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My point? My runs are definitely NOT happening like they should be. I’m getting 3-4 workouts in each week, but they aren’t all running and they aren’t necessarily quality.
Now, I get that the marathon isn’t until the end of September which means I still have a lot of time. Busy season will end mid-June so I know my life will go back to normal then. However, I was banking on me being in half marathon condition, and by that time, I worry that my poor lil’ muscles will have atrophied away!
Plus, if you’ve read my blog for awhile, you know that running is hard for me. It doesn’t come easy and I really have to work at it. If I’m beginning from a lower level of running fitness, will I still have enough time to adequately prepare for my marathon??
24 Comments
I think you are stressing yourself out!!! First, relax, breathe because everything is going to be fine. Once mid-June hits you should/need to start taking your training seriously. If you think you are still going to find trouble getting in all of your runs, think of a training plan that may fit into your busy lifestyle better (there are marathon training plans out there that require you to run 3-4 days a week) which sounds like you may need. But you also have to put the effort in and the time. Get up earlier to get your run in or take a nap after work but set an alarm to make sure you get up so you can get your run in before going to bed.
Personnally, for me, I do all of my training runs (except the long run) during my lunch break at work. Also, remember that life does get in the way but don’t let it get in the way too much. Missed workouts will happen but don’t let it be the norm. I think I missed maybe 2-3 workouts for my first marathon and I completely stressed out the first time I skipped but I know it was because my body needed the extra rest.
I agree with Melissa, you are just stressing yourself out. You have 17 weeks, that is plenty of time to get back on track and train.
nah…you are totally good! A few weeks are not going to kill you and I think a lot of race plans have at least a little cushion built in. Keep going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you can DO this girl! start fresh today. you got it!
I think as long as your basic fitness level is pretty good and you’re able to get the long runs in (they’re the most important) then you’ll be able to squeak by. Keep your chin up and just do the best you can!!! And if worse comes to worse, maybe you could switch to the half?
Naw, I think you can count them as muscle recovery time and move on. I know you are determine enough to pull through!! You always seem to freak out a little when you realize a race is sneaking up on you! I think you’ll impress yourself.
I have no words of advice. Just know you’re not alone in this as I battle through my training plan trying to get to my half ironman. Ugh. Not easy. We can do this!
I’m going through a stressfull, busy time too and my recent workouts sound a little like yours. Like Heidi said, you’re not alone! Take a look at your schedule and see how you can get in some good quality runs between now & the end of your busy season – that way you’ll be set up to ramp up your volume when you have a little more time. You CAN do this!!
Whoa, just breathe girl! Everything is going to be okay!
You can get through a marathon without a concrete plan, I swear. My first marathon I didn’t follow a plan, didn’t use a garmin, didn’t fuel, and just went out an ran it where I crossed the finish line alive and happy. I think a bit of down time may actually leave your body feeling rested and healthy for your marathon quest, which is never a bad thing. Just take it week by week. Maybe jot down on a calendar when you want to get in your long runs and just fill in the rest of your days with what your schedule allows.
There is never just one way to get to that starting line healthy and prepared.
I think you have time, but you’ll have to FOCUS on running. I know there are lots of fun activities in the summer -so it’s easy to get distracted. I’m an avid mtn biker, but in order to become a better runner – i’ve focused on running for the last 8 months and it paid off with a sub 2 hour half marathon last weekend.
Take inspiration from all the bloggers that are Moms of young children. It’s amazing to me how they manage it all but they do it! (I’m a Mom but my son is 30 years old so I don’t have to worry about him)
I completely relate to ALL of this!!! I too have been super busy at work, coming home exhausted, working out here and there, running but not following my training plan and it does make you feel out of control. I’ll be running my first in Feb. but I’m still panicking b/c running doesn’t come easy to me either. I can only imagine what it’d feel like to have a full looming in September. Crap I haven’t instilled much confidence in ya with this comment huh? Ok hunker down. You realized that you’ve fallen behind a little, but now you can start again. This weekend, take some time and hash out the new plan. You can do this girl!!!! Run on Saturdays AND Sundays if running during the week isn’t happening easily. This is your first full, and you know you want to make it count. When it gets tough during training, just think that the pain you feel now will make race day that much easier.
You are going to be fine! You still have some time to get started with your training (my husband and I have our first marathon on September 30th and we’re starting our training technically next week but really the week after). You don’t want to go into a training plan already burnt out!
You are strong and you are capable, you can do this!
I’ve been freaking out lately too (as you saw from our FB exchange in the FFA Running group) — the whole concept of training for 16 weeks for a marathon seems so daunting and scary. BUT, the one thing that is helping me to calm down is the fact that training plans are MEANT to be altered, changed, broken. Life happens. Just have to learn to roll with that fact vs. freaking out everytime the plan changes. Because it’ll change a million times up until race day. And that’s ok — you WILL be ready for it when the time comes. Just trust your body, the process, all of it. (and I’m writing this for me as well as for you, sort of a note to self!)
Wow Heather, I feel you – I’ve never trained for a serious race but not getting the runs in that you want always makes me nervous. I think you should just go for harder runs and less work – so maybe one long run, one recovery run and one speed session per week. That might be easier.
Can’t wait to read your guest post!
Deep breath! You’ll be fine. Just keep your legs moving when you can and when you feel like it and when your work settles down, just hit it then! No need to panic. You can definitely make up for it later! It takes a lot to lose fitness. If you’re getting 2 to 4 runs in a week, things will stay primed and ready for the bigger training later!
No one sticks to their training plan 100% It’s just not possible with this little thing called life. Don’t stress out. You’ll be fine. Just do your best through busy season.
In my limited experience training for marathons I would say that you are fine. As long as you are active you should be okay. Honestly, I think the weeks that matter the most are the long ones that have you hitting 17-20 mile long runs…and I missed two of those and still survived.
Just do what you can to keep moving and don’t get down on yourself – the whole marathon thing is about running but the mental game is also huge!
You will definitely have time! And in one month you will not lose all your half marathon fitness. Don’t worry!
Definitely not going to RUIN It… but your first couple runs coming back from it will be a bit harder than you are used to. Ease back into it slowly and you’ll be fine. There is PLENTY of time to recover and kick butt on race day.
I think you’ll be fine. Maybe instead of getting running in while you feel its impossible, trying some yoga instead. It’ll help relieve some stress, and might end up giving you enough energy to pick up running when you’re ready.
Good luck!
Having never done a marathon I’ve got no real advice for you. But having just had to build my run “fitness” back up after what ended up being almost 2 months of very little running I would say try to run as much as you can even if they are short runs. Getting up in the morning may be your best bet..I know it’s really early I get up about 4:20 and get out ( I have to be to work by 7:30) because I know that I won’t do it in the evenings.
Not at all. Your long runs are really the most important. Without the quality weekday runs, maybe you won’t be as fast as you want, but you’ll still be in finishing shape. Just do what you can during the week. There were times when my husbands schedule was crazy, meaning I couldn’t get away from the kids, I would just go out for a quickie 2 mile run. Just get your legs moving a little during week and then relax before your weekend long run.
Thanks for sharing this to us and looking forward always for more updates. That was a great race event, and exciting too. Good luck to all the participants !
You are going to ROCK this marathon. I BELIEVE IN YOU! You will get your mojo back, maybe you just need a bit of a break to get caught up on work – will work go back to normal anytime soon? You’ll get back on track!