Managing the Middle Miles

There are many things that challenge me about running but in my top 5 list are "middle miles".  By middle miles, I mean the daily challenge of the miles of just over the half way point but not close enough to see the end of a run.   But even a notch above those miles are the weeks in my training schedule that I also call the "middle miles".   These are the weeks of training when I am past the half way mark, deep into the higher or tougher miles and I can't yet see the race day clearly. 

These middle miles are always hard.  They are far enough away from the beginning of my training and all the excitement pushing me along to the event.  But I am also too far from the starting line of the race to feel the event pull me in.  I am being neither pushed or pulled, I am stuck in the middle.

I am in the "middle" right now.  I am training for a few events, but none that seriously.  I am having a hard time staying focused and being disciplined.  Running is fun but honestly the pull to just hang out in the summer evenings and have a cool drink and some barbeque and spend time with my family has been very strong.  Running in these middle miles has started to feel a bit like another chore or to do versus an outlet of enjoyment.

This is a familar to me this time of year.   I have found a few ways to overcome this challenge in my training.  Reaching in to my bag of tricks this year, I pulled out a very easy solution - take the week off.  No running, no guilt, just extra time hanging out with no regard to any "should be", "better not", "get up and squeeze one in", "need to get a run in today".   No running exercise related for a full week. 

So I did it!  And after a week off, I feel refreshed, reenergized about my running.  I am itching to run.  Can't wait!  There is something to the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  I can again feel my passion for running.

In the past, I haven't opted for a week off - it is the most extreme tool in my running toolbox.  In the other 12 years of running, here are my other coping methods for "middle miles":

• Run for a week, but completely unassociated with my event  - I find that a rigid training schedule with required runs on certain days to get ready for an event will quickly take away my joy for running.  So when I am training, I always leave plenty of wiggle room to put in some spontaneous runs in my favorite places as a treat.
• Mix up my training  - A slight variation is to simple do all the miles/runs I need to get in to appease my training schedule but do them on different courses, at different times, or with different running friends.
• Center and refocus - Take time to remind myself when I run.  What I enjoy about running, why I started, why I need to run.  I have done this as a mental exercise and even as a journal/writing exercise.
• Think about all I have accomplished versus what still lies ahead - When running with one of my running friends, he always reminds me that every step brings me one step closer to the end of run/race.  He always says, "look how far you have come, how much space is behind you."   I try to remind myself how far I have come as I go through training and with each step, I am closer to my goal.
• Read a great running book, see a good running movie  - Last week, Dean's book came at a great time.  I also reread UltraMarathon Man.  And for movies, I dug out my old VCR tapes of past Ironman races.  If you have seen these and are a fan, you know the ones in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 provide some of the best motivation ever.
• Find inspiration from unlikely sources - And of course, who can pass up the Olympics?  From little 'ole Iowa, we have Shawn Johnson to watch.   Her spirit and determination is energizing.   And then of course Michael Phelps.   And after watching Jamiaica's Bolt glide across the 100m finish tape, I will never utter the words, "I am not built like a runner."  He is a giant compared to most sprinters but outperformed them all.  The human spirit can overcome anything.
• Read my past race reports - Sometimes I need a reminder of why I enjoy these races.  My own words remind me of an experience that fades quickly with a busy life.

We are looking forward to your posts this week for Take It and Run Thursday and how you manage the middle miles.

Comments

[Makita]

This is exactly what I am struggling with myself. I've opted though to take a few months off 'training'... just enjoying running, swimming for the pure pleasure. :D

[Jess]

The middle miles kill me too. I like the idea of taking a week off without guilt...I may have to try that sometime.