One week from today…one week from NOW…it will all be over.
omfgeeeee.
Yesterday I did my last long(ish) training run…five miles! It was great. I decided to use the “associative” psychological approach my running book talks about, and focus on how my body felt. It was an awesome run, and I definitely plan to use this technique during the marathon. You visualize your body in motion and really tune into your movements instead of “dissociating,” which is what I generally do. (I mean, they call it “dissociating,” I call it “fantasizing about all the hot guys I could meet on a book tour.”)
I’ve realized this week of rest is going to be just as hard as the weeks of running. I’m sure you guys know how hard it is to rest. We like to be on the go! It’s so strange, because when I look at my week, I have all this extra time. I spent a lot of time running, and even more time thinking about running. When will I do it? What will I eat that day? What will I eat the day before? Will it hurt? When will I wash my hair? It’s mentally exhausting! So now I feel like I cleared out a mental closet, and I have extra hours in my day…but what do I do when I have more hours in my day? I work out! And now I can’t. I mean, I have three 3-mile runs this week, but still…that doesn’t feel like a lot when you compare it to what I’ve been doing. My commute to the gym and back will take as much time as I’m going to spend there.
The other thing is, I have to be spot on with my nutrition, hydration, and sleep this week. This is not the time to get caught up in the moment and get all, “Wooo! Free time! Let’s go OUT!” I can’t get sick. I can’t get dehydrated. I can’t get fat. (Seriously, my book said not to gain a single pound during this time.) I have to really be conscious of everything I do with my body.
It’s weird. I have this week that feels very out of my control. I’m a little bored. And with all these extra hours, I think a lot about the marathon. I don’t like waiting; I just want to be there so I can just know. The patience required this week is excruciating, and it’s only going to build.
Any marathoners out there been through this? Any Disney-goers having a tough time dealing with this right now? How do you deal??
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Tapering is tough. Especially as you have been building up distance and time for many weeks now, the sudden drop in volume will naturally leave you feeling a little empty.
Heres some suggestions:
* More time for friends, coffees, breakfasts, lunches etc.
* Cross training in the gym.
* Yoga class.
* Sports massage
* Write a profound blog piece.
* Organise you race playlist if running with music.
* Study the race course map and memorise aid stations/water breaks.
* Plan your race strategy with a goal of negative spilts.
* Study the elevation guide so you know when to expect hills up and down.
* Plan your nutrition strategy, how many gels/water etc you plan on having and when.
* Plan out an walking breaks you might want to take.
* Generally obsess about every little aspect of the race that you may or may not have control over.
Tapering is important, its a time to drop volume but not intensity of your runs and reflect on all the time and training you have put in. Its time for your body to rest and your mind to relax knowing that all the hard work is behind you and the fun part just ahead
Good luck – I’m looking forward to hearing all about it!
I second Pricey’s suggestions. Doing lower impact workouts such as Yoga or Pilates will help you fill time but not overwork your muscles. Also the added benefit of Yoga that it’ll help calm your mind!
I have gone through this every time I have trained for a marathon, and I get very antsy. But as I’m sure you’ll see you’re body will thank you the day of.
Marathon’s are experiences that make you realize just how capable you are of achieving goals you’ve set! The best of luck.
Hey – thanks for stopping by my blog. And how exciting that your marathon is so soon! The last week before my first (in 2009) was kind of tough. I was nervous that something was going to happen and I wouldn’t be able to run. Goodluck on your race – I’ve amazing things about that marathon. Have fun!
Rachel! I didn’t know you were doing the Disney Marathon either (I tweet FitBottomedGirl all the time about it). GOOD LUCK and I can’t even IMAGINE running that many miles! You will do great with your amazing attitude for sure.
<3
.-= Chanelle´s last blog ..Whittling My Middle Too =-.
I don’t have any words of advice, but good luck! Enjoy it and have fun. : )
.-= Kaytee´s last blog ..All I Want for Christmas… =-.
Yes, I’m dealing with the same angst! I’m going to put my time into stretching
Can’t wait to meet you!
.-= healthy ashley´s last blog ..2010 Eve =-.
Enjoy the tapering week. Get your rest. I did Disney (half) last year. Prepare yourself for a long wait with the other runners before the race. They like to clear the roads early so you have to wait in the “holding area” for what seems like forever. I ran with Team in Training and we had to get on our bus at 3:30am to ride over to the lot to wait. We didn’t start running until 6:30a! And although 35-40 degrees is not that cold (generally) but when you’re standing around doing nothing it’s freezing. Be sure to take some clothes/blankets you don’t mind tossing. Compared to that waiting period the race was easy!
Hi doll, visualise, visualise, visualise…you can spend time thinking about each mile. Do you kind of know the course? Visualise each bit of it, how you’re gonna feel and what music you want to be pumping at that time. At mile 20, you need some hard ass beats to get you through!! Also on the food front, I carb loaded…eat really low carb for 2-3 days, then max out on carbs for the following 2-3 days, I wasn’t even that hungry after the race when I did this!! However, if you’re not sure, and you hadn’t planned it into your training, go with what you had planned!
Also, now’s the time to schedule in some fun post-marathon, ‘cos the post-marathon blues can hit hard. You’ve been so focused for so long, you gotsta have a little fun plan in place!
So excited for you!!!!!
.-= Fit Girl´s last blog ..Win: A Food Diary Analysis =-.
I’d use this time to prep for the race as much as possible. I ran the Disney Half Marathon last year, and the hardest part was the timing. Being up at 3:30 am = not the easiest thing ever! Then, you’re at the race site for up to 2 hours before the start. The starting corrals (when I ran) were actually a 20-minute walk from the meeting point (not exaggerating), and there’s really no way to carry any extra clothes with you right to the starting line–non-runners aren’t allowed past a certain point and all bags are checked in at the meeting point. Florida can be cold at 4 am!
This aren’t complaints by any means–I loved the half marathon and it was very, very exciting and fun. My second half at Disney was easier because I was better-prepared for all the things that go on. I think if you mentally prep for the 2 hour wait (which is a long time to get nervous, etc.) and plan exactly which clothing items you’ll run in and all that jazz, it’ll be great.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Running Start =-.
Hey Rach! WOOO!!! So soon, get pumped! I would definitely plan for AFTER the marathon. I have read a lot of articles about how after completing a marathon some people get similar symptoms to Postpartum Depression. Not to scare you, obviously, but it makes sense. You put all your time, brainpower, body, etc. into this thing and at the end it’s like “what’s next!” And plus, all the endorphins and hormonal effects running has on your body- I find have difficulty, mentally, to stabilize all that. All I know is I get so sick of running by the end of training, so I try to distract myself by taking up new challenges with my fitness- you obviously know what to do here, but just a little forewarning! It’s all about the short-term goals post-marathon!! Get ready for the best runner’s high of your life!!! (after the nauseous goes away of course, haha)