As you may know, I am in the midst of the great running slump of 2010. A funk. Blame it on the heat, humidity, vacations, family obligations, illness, stress, injury, there’s a laundry list of possibilities. Many of you are right there with me, cursing the heat and slogging through the miles.
After sitting here swearing for a good amount of time and entertaining committing the rest of the running season to the crapper, I formulated a strategic plan (ok not really a plan, just some bullet points) designed to get us through said slump. Only time will tell how effective it is though.
Here’s how I’m going to make the most of my fall races:
No matter how badly I wanna skip my run, I will get out there and at least try. Know your body. Typically I’m not fully warmed up after a mile, so I know it’s too early to make the executive decision to bag a run. I resolve to wait until after 3 miles to make that call. Optimism here, peeps, chances are good (tell me they are) things will improve.
I allow myself a treadmill run here or there…or everywhere. There is nothing wrong with a treadmill run. My runs in the extreme heat have been so off-pace, the mill has been a confidence builder. This morning’s run started outside and ended on the mill. Got ‘er done though.
I will make running fun again. I will not beat myself up for backing off my pace or dropping a mile here and there. I will press on.
Pressing through tough conditions builds mental toughness that will pay off in spades on race day.
I will eat well and keep my body sufficiently fueled to run strong. The chocolate-covered deliciosities have been out of my diet for over a month now and I’m 5 lbs lighter to show for it.
Any run/workout is better than none at all.
I will honor my rest days and make sure I rest/recover adequately.
I will honor my commitment to crosstrain to keep my body balanced and as injury resistant as possible.
No matter how ridiculous it sounds, (believe me it is so ridiculous sometimes) I force myself to fill my waking hours with positive self-talk worthy of a queen. A very agile, lightning fast queen who never gives up.
I will make it to that starting line knowing I did the best I could under the circumstances and conditions I was dealt.
When (not if) I pull it all together and execute this training cycle to the best of my ability, I will take my earned place in that starting corral on 10/10/10 and I will think back to all the days I struggled to run at all, and I’ll remember how I overcame it and I’ll be very proud.
Running is such a great metaphor for life: We all have obstacles.. It is how we overcome them that determines our ultimate success or failure.
