I've now completed week 3 of my marathon training (doing week 1 twice). Things are going well, I think. I'm still having a difficult time not walking once or twice, but that's ok. Yesterday's route had what I consider to be "a hill from hell". It's about 500m long and gets steeper and steeper as you get closer to the top. I slow down, and concentrate on my breathing, some swearing in my head the whole way up. I count my steps to help me not think of how difficult it is (a tip from my cousin who runs ultra marathons). I think of my husband who would run this at the speed of a gazelle. I think of my trainer who would be saying "don't leave anything in your tank". I don't allow myself to walk until I hit the top. By the time I'm done this darn hill, I'm all out of energy, out of of "oumph" and I feel like I must walk. My brain forces my legs to stop. I allow myself to walk 50 steps. I count, 1, 2, 3... 25, 45, 50. Wishing I had 50 more steps to walk, I start running again. Discipline. Mental strength. That's what is going to get me through. Why only 50 steps? It gives me enough time to get my heart rate back down just a bit, and enough time to catch my breath (another trick from my cousin). 50 steps. Rarely more. Yesterday's long run was a little shorter than last week. I love that Hal Higdon's program has you upping the distance for about three week and then you get a break. The fourth week has a bit less distance to cover - giving you a little break. I'm always thankful when I hit these weeks. It helps me catch up if you will. Since I have a difficult time taking complete rest days, these weeks are a must. Next long run will be 14 km -that's almost double yesterday's run! Ouch! We shall see how that goes! I'm not sure what route I will take. I think I'm going to skip that hill from hell, or keep it for near the end.
Other than running, I'm on week 6 of working with Ty, my personal trainer at Crossfit613. That's going well! Ty is a great motivator! He takes his time and doesn't get frustrated when I'm not "getting it".
Even though I'm not lifting much weight yet, I'm feeling stronger than before I started (this is really session 12 if you count the 6 intro sessions). It seems to be helping my running as well. My longest run so far this training season has been 11.3 km and I had no issues with my IT band - which I'm hoping means my hips are getting stronger. I feel the muscles in my legs are stronger as well as my core.
As for getting the lifting techniques right, well, that is proving to be difficult for me. I will not give up! Never give up. I will get it eventually - I'm almost there. Just like every other sport I try, it takes time for me to "get it" - once I get it though - watch out! Proof - snowboarding - it took me years to be good at it!
Why does it take me so long to "get it"? Fear. Fear of what? In the case of snowboarding it was fear of speed, fear of falling and getting hurt (broke my tailbone the first year), fear of losing control.
What's the fear now? I'm not sure. Fear of looking stupid? Fear of getting hurt? Fear of not being able to do it? I'm not exactly sure...I will figure it out and conquer it -of that I'm sure!
Well, today is a rest day. As much as I love sitting there, doing nothing other than watching TV, I have a hard time not getting some sort of exercise done. Today's plan was to go for an easy skate on the canal - major snowstorm happening with frigid cold... It's not worth the risk of driving there... so rest day it will be!
#teamawesome2019 #runottawa2019 #fitleaders #bewell
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