Running in the Right Direction...

I didn’t see it coming.  With eight weeks to go before the marathon, I’m reaching this eerie, unfamiliar stage where my running seems to be going in the right direction.  What’s with that?

Running wasn’t going bad, but now the details seem to be falling into place.  Faster runs seem to require less effort than a few months back, and I’m recovering quicker from longer runs.  Some distances in my plan that used to feel like a stretch are now becoming routine, even light duty.  I check my heart rate  during boring meetings at work, and it’s dang near my age.   Even hills seem easier. So is this what training well feels like for others?   

Don't get me wrong, I'm working hard at running, but I don't always recognize when running is going well and what's causing it.  I share the same curiosity as DaBigLeap who had a breakthrough run last week.  Instead of stopping at 20 miles, he went beyond to 22 miles.  And then he asked, “For once I would like to know what I did right?”   

That seems to be the burning question—how do I sustain what’s going right with my running?  What’s the trick here?  If I knew all the factors—mileage, intensity, diet, whatever, I’d bottle it and sell it.  So I’m trying to retrace my life the past few weeks to nail down what’s making the difference?   What unique blend of Starbucks did I drink lately?  What toppings have I been ordering on my pizza?

On the flip side, running-gone-great can also bring out the skeptic in me.  I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.   Am I setting myself up to crash and burn?  In a moment of weakness, I conjure up nightmares for what's ahead... a dark stretch looming ahead with an injury... visions of a grim reaper hiding in the shadows replacing my stashed Gatorade with Drano.  Worse, I fear Bob will show up at my door before my next run and fasten a belt around my waist with a chain and tire to tow.

I'm not ready yet to call this a good omen or a curse waiting to unravel.  Good running is too exciting to squander.   I’ve got a whoop-ass attitude and am going to stare down any running jinx that gets in my way, work through this surprise training stretch, and carry it through until race day.

Hope everyone's running is moving in the right direction or a breakthrough is around the corner!

Compass on Flickr by Maprambles

Comments

[David]

I can relate...when I get to this point in my marathon training and have these "break through" runs, it always reminds me of the quote from Isaiah, "run and not get tired".

[August]

Ahhh, the psychology of running. I find it so intriguing. This is the first post I've read over here at the Runners Lounge and though I'm just a beginner, I feel like I can relate to this thinking.

I definitely feel like my running is heading in the right direction. I am enjoying more endurance. I experienced my first real "runners high" a couple weeks ago after my longest run (which was "only" 3 miles but it's way more than I could do last year).

But some days, those little negative thoughts creep in. Normally I'm a very "glass-is-half-full" type thinker, but I when it comes to running, I can't help but to have thoughts of, "when am I going to crash and burn" or other skeptical thoughts.

Personally I think it's other outside influences affecting me. You know, all those people that have never experienced the greatness of running, who still buy into the school of thinking that running is harmful to your joints, and feel an overwhelming need to warn those who are attempting to make running a way of life.

But overall, running helps me to ignore those evil little voices, whether internal or external, and keep pressing on!!!! It just feels to good to give up.

I look forward to the day that I'm training for my first marathon and I look forward to reading more over here!

[Nitmos]

I prefer to just remain positive and understand that my conditioning level naturally has peaks and valleys and - largely - plateaus. I don't over analyze where I'm at on any certain day. I'll step back and consider where my conditioning level was at, for example, in the spring versus now (late summer) but that's about as close as I'll draw comparisons..

Sounds like you are in a good place as the C.M. approaches. Don't question it; go with it! It's the result of hard work and effort not luck or a fluke. And there will be more peaks, valleys and plateaus to come.

[Marcy]

LMAO! I think that's everyones worst fear . . .having Bob show up at their door with chain and tire.

[Pat Monahan]

If it wasn't for the valley's, the mountains wouldn't look so majestic. Or something silly like that.

[Art Dinkin]

When you have figured out, let me know! I think Nitmos has a good take on things (and Pat made me laugh).

I've quit trying to figure it out and now I just take what I get. Sometimes I think I am ready for the greatest run of my life and my legs turn to concrete blocks. Other days I am mentally prepared to face the pain and grit my way through, and the run turns out to be easy.

Most of the time my runs are somewhere in between. For now I have quit running races, quit training, and thrown away my stop watch. I just run and hope it is one of the good ones. :)

[Bella]

I know the feeling too...it like one day that 15 miler is like a walk in the park and you just pray that race day feels the same way.

[Sandy]

Congrats, Tom! Just ride the wave and enjoy the great feeling of being fit. But do take care to stretch, refuel with good nutrition, and get lots of sleep (I'm saying this to myself, too). You will kick-a** at Chicago!

Sandy

[Andria Sandoval]

It's great that you've reached that point where you feel like you are making progress. I've just started running and I feel like it's getting easier... not so hard to convince myself to put on my running shoes and really feeling that high of accomplishment when I finish my run. There's definitely ups and downs, but I can't wait to get to the point where you are. Enjoy it!

[ReformedFatChick]

You are such an inspiration!!

[Penny]

I found myself nodding throughout your post (I have 9.5 weeks to go)...when it came to the 'bottle the factors' part I thought "I'd take 20 to go please!"

[Bob Gentile]

KNOCK* KNOCK* is Tom Home?!!--LOL

Don't worry NO rope & Tire, just wanted to say "CONGRATS on finding ur Groove and to Enjoy it, your doing great and it's paying off!"

[Aves]

I to wish I could bottle what I do right and toss the rest away. It amazes me some days as to how strong I feel and then other days as to crappy I feel!! I can never figure it out.

Aves