Yep, it’s that time again. Time to cleanse my sweaty runner’s soul and runfess. Join me, won’t you? Runfessors love company. Let’s get started:
I’m this close to ditching the 21-day reset. I know, I know it would be like stopping and hopping in a taxi at mile 25.5 of a marathon. You just don’t do it. It’s probably precisely because the finish line is in sight that I’m feeling so weak. That and I have to fuel an 18-miler tomorrow. And I’m tired of eating dried apricots instead of GU. And I really wanna try that Caramel Macchiato GU. Still need to get my head around minimal sugar as a lifestyle not a 3-week stint.
As much as I’m digging my kinder, gentler NYCM training plan, there’s a nagging part of me that fears it’s not enough. Enough for what, exactly? Like I won’t be able to finish? Finish strong? Guess I’m just afraid of seeing the wall early and hurting too much during the marathon.
Remember the age group award I won a few weeks back? The one that “got lost”? Per the website, I had one week to claim my prize so I called the race director as soon as I learned I’d won something. After two unreturned calls, I got ahold of his secretary. It took another 3 days and another followup call for her to tell me the awards were “lost”. Well I’m happy to say that after lots of calling, prodding and chasing, the awards were found so I eagerly went to pick up my trophy. This race is quite unique in that they award trophies to the top 5 in each age group. Crazy, right? I guess they thought so too, because they did away with the trophies. My 2nd place award this year was a medal. I feel like an ungrateful brat feeling disappointed the trophies are gone. I’m guessing budget cuts, which is totally understandable. I’ll get over myself now.
Do you have a runfession to share? Come on, spill it! I promise you’ll feel better!
Remember the mantra: Trust the Plan! You’re going to do great at NYCM. Your body will thank you for this plan.
You can do it!!! You will be even more proud of yourself when you complete it, knowing that you were so close to giving up 🙂
I have a runfession….even though chicago is only weeks away, I am really struggling to keep my sweets intake down. I have not been keeping to my one treat a day…and that one treat is definitely waaayyy too big too…..think 2 cups of ice cream with lots of toppings big…..:(
If they were planning for 5 deep then it seems like they would have already purchased the awards for 5 deep so if there were budget issues they would have known that upfront? Maybe next year they’ll rethink that. Glad you finally got it though! You just read my runfessions. I’m with you on questioning my training.
Wow, bad move by the RD – if you say you have awards you should have awards.
You’ve been really consistent with your training, AND, you’re a pro–you’re going to be just fine at NYC!
Glad you got the hardware after all that, even if it was a medal!
I have no runfessions, I swear. This whole returning from injury thing has made me the most obnoxiously happy runner ever!
I agree with Amanda – you’ve been so on top of your training – you’re going to do great in NYC!
You inspired me to do my own runfessions post this morning 🙂
You got this thing Marcia! You really really do! Remember – there have been tough workouts on this plan too!
Ooooh, runfessions. I am glad you got your AG award even if it was a medal, but my own runfession…I am so jealous of AG placers that there’s a local race I’m thinking of doing olely because I think I could snag an AG placement…
You’ve stuck to your training and will be fine!
I think it’s kind of a cool medal.
Not so sure about the dried apricots – they give me um… digestive distress….ok, to be real it’s more like tons of huge farts….. even when I’m not running! I’d hate to be the person behind me if I was fueling with them. 🙂
Caramel macchiato GU? Be still my beating heart!!! In all seriousness, I am scared of trying any of those cleanses. Especially during marathon training! I think EVERYTHING goes out the window at those times!
The problem with hopping in a cab at 25.5 is that you can often hear the announcer at the finish line from there. That, and you keep on convincing yourself that you blew the opportunity to hop into the cab at 21, keep you going.
Hahaha! Joe, you make an excellent point!
Yay for finally getting your trophy!! It is definitely difficult sticking to the plan, especially when alternates seem so much more appealing but the reward is always worth it! Keep up the good work.
My knee is hurting from hiking I think but I may run tomorrow anyways. Stupid I know.
You’ll do great in the marathon.
You take gorgeous pictures. It must be really nice where you live.
Your 21-day reset feelings sound a lot like I felt when doing a recent elimination diet.
They lost your awards and then gave you a medal instead of a trophy? I would be a little bratty if that happened to me lol.
I don’t have a confession on that level. My only running related thing is that I miss doing it and I hope my injury heals before the year is over so I can run in a race.
You are gonna ROCK NYC, Louise. Just stay positive!
Not really a runfession (I’m not sure what that is exactly :)), but it might make you feel better about your award: This summer I did a trai 10k in Copper Mt. Same one I did last year (only I did the half last year….this year I couldn’t because it was the same day as Melissa’s 50 miler in Leadville, so I did the 10k the day before). Last year I won a free pair of Asics for winning my ag. This year, I won my ag also….and for my winning, I got a “half marathon finisher” glass. Remember, I did the 10k. WTH? 🙂
you’re so close!!! hang on! you can make your own gel, let me know if you want a recipe!
Marcia-
Try to fuel with a date & almond in the middle. I LOVE them. I put them in the freezer & put in a baggie prior to my run.
It’s a tasty treat!
Awww, we would be totally bitter and hostile to go from a trophy to a medal! Our runfession is that we don’t do it. Ever. Even if we are being chased. We know, it is sad to be us! ;)-The Dose Girls
i’ve decided everyone hits this “omg marathon training is it enough.” i’ve been doing the same thing. and, after that reset, yes, I agree….lifestyle, but some balance so you don’t pull your hair out. i will runfess that until this week, I wasn’t enjoying running or training. i cried. more than i would like to admit.
Two weeks out from my first marathon so I can almost relate :-).
I get the trophy thing. Colton has been training really hard and today he finished top 50 in the 5k which meant he got an additional award. However, they were doing it by sight instead of official time so they couldn’t catch everything right and gave his award to someone else. I told them to start looking hard for another one and mail it to me. However, since it’s for charity I feel a little guilty about making a big deal about it.
I’m reading about quitting sugar but am afraid to make the plunge. It is a very hard thing to choose as a lifestyle when it’s in everything.
What a let-down on the age group award but you still did an awesome job!!!
Hooray for having your 18 mile run done!!
It’s totally normal and rational and sane to fear a marathon. There will always be niggling questions at the back of your mind but you’ve done the hard work and you know how to pace yourself. Just keep reminding yourself that you can do it.
My RunFession:
I am only supposed to take 1 rest day a week and yet I seem to always take 2.
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