Starting something new can feel great. If you are anything like me, you get a burst of energy and excitement from dreaming up new goals and then beginning them.
That's how it was when I began marathon training. I was excited. I looked forward to waking up early for runs. I was pumped up when I ran my first long run of 6 miles. My body was still relatively comfortable during runs and I was free of aches and pains. I really didn't need to do much of a warm up or cool down, since my distances were short.
But then, about two weeks ago, I left the beginning and entered into the middle of my training. My runs were getting longer and my knees were getting sorer. I was finally forced to take the time to stretch after a work out. And we're not just talking about a quick 5 minute cool down, but like 20 minute routines. I've also had to foam roll regularly. Foam rolling is basically inflicting pain on yourself in order to break up the muscles and get them ready to perform again.
About a week and a half ago, the pain in my knees got worse... like way worse. I attempted my longest run yet, 15 miles, and was forced to walk a bit during it due to the pain. After that, even walking was difficult. I decided to take time off in order to heal and not cause any serious injury.
Last week, I went to the Chiropractor to check on things and make sure it was nothing serious. I got confirmation that it was, in fact, nothing too serious, but that with the amount I was running, and with the amount of stress being put on my knees, it was just going to hurt.
I added a brace, which has since helped a ton and now take some well timed IB Profen before a long run. Both of these things have aided tremendously.
But still... it hurts.
I knew when I started marathon training that being consistent would be hard. I knew that waking up early every week would be a struggle and that I would have to fight the urge to stay in bed.
I knew I would get tired.
But what I didn't know was that it would hurt this bad. I wasn't ready for the pain.
I've been watching some YouTube videos on long distance running and over and over again, they mention the mental battle that is marathon running. Pushing yourself to go forward when everything in your body says, shit! This hurts! I would be sooooo much more comfortable if I just stopped.
Marathon training is about building your mileage and gaining endurance, yes. But it is just as much about training your mind to handle and deal with pain. And this is something I was not expecting.
I hate pain. I avoid it at all costs, so much so that I was probably never the best softball or volleyball player I could have been. I was always slightly hesitant when putting myself in front of the ball. I was afraid of getting hit and thus, feeling pain.
The same can be said for most things I do. There's a hesitation and fear that hits me. Now don't get me wrong, I believe strongly in self preservation. Putting yourself in a dangerous situation to show that you are brave or you got this, is not the best way to go about things.
But, if fear overtakes your ability to take risks, or to try new and difficult things, then maybe you have a problem.
Right now, things are tough. Taking that week and a half off set me back. I am having to rebuild the mileage I had previously gotten to. I am having to struggle through 10 mile runs that I used to handle with little problem. I am confident that I still have enough time to get back to where I was, it's just going to be way harder that it was before.
On my last couple of runs, I definitely thought to myself, "maybe I should just stop." "I could just quit and it would be OK." "I still ran a ton and got better."
That's the pain talking; my desire for comfort taking over my mind.
So, I am pushing it aside, and I will have to keep pushing it aside with each run until marathon day.
About a week and a half ago, the pain in my knees got worse... like way worse. I attempted my longest run yet, 15 miles, and was forced to walk a bit during it due to the pain. After that, even walking was difficult. I decided to take time off in order to heal and not cause any serious injury.
Last week, I went to the Chiropractor to check on things and make sure it was nothing serious. I got confirmation that it was, in fact, nothing too serious, but that with the amount I was running, and with the amount of stress being put on my knees, it was just going to hurt.
I added a brace, which has since helped a ton and now take some well timed IB Profen before a long run. Both of these things have aided tremendously.
But still... it hurts.
I knew when I started marathon training that being consistent would be hard. I knew that waking up early every week would be a struggle and that I would have to fight the urge to stay in bed.
I knew I would get tired.
But what I didn't know was that it would hurt this bad. I wasn't ready for the pain.
I've been watching some YouTube videos on long distance running and over and over again, they mention the mental battle that is marathon running. Pushing yourself to go forward when everything in your body says, shit! This hurts! I would be sooooo much more comfortable if I just stopped.
Marathon training is about building your mileage and gaining endurance, yes. But it is just as much about training your mind to handle and deal with pain. And this is something I was not expecting.
I hate pain. I avoid it at all costs, so much so that I was probably never the best softball or volleyball player I could have been. I was always slightly hesitant when putting myself in front of the ball. I was afraid of getting hit and thus, feeling pain.
The same can be said for most things I do. There's a hesitation and fear that hits me. Now don't get me wrong, I believe strongly in self preservation. Putting yourself in a dangerous situation to show that you are brave or you got this, is not the best way to go about things.
But, if fear overtakes your ability to take risks, or to try new and difficult things, then maybe you have a problem.
Right now, things are tough. Taking that week and a half off set me back. I am having to rebuild the mileage I had previously gotten to. I am having to struggle through 10 mile runs that I used to handle with little problem. I am confident that I still have enough time to get back to where I was, it's just going to be way harder that it was before.
On my last couple of runs, I definitely thought to myself, "maybe I should just stop." "I could just quit and it would be OK." "I still ran a ton and got better."
That's the pain talking; my desire for comfort taking over my mind.
So, I am pushing it aside, and I will have to keep pushing it aside with each run until marathon day.
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