If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my 18 years of running (wow, I’m old), it’s that there is no such thing as the perfect training season. Time and time again I’ve been derailed by sickness, injury, and often times just the hustle and bustle of life. Weeks away from possibly running a PR? Let me injure my knee. Got the big meet of senior year coming up? Let me sprain my ankle. Looking to really get into the best shape of your life? Let me throw my back out.
So, it was with no surprise that my latest training season has been nothing but fits and starts. Since starting in December I’ve missed multiple weeks due to sickness. I’ll run a great week, then get sick. Run a few more days, then get sick. My original training plan, thrown out the window. My next training plan? Meh. I’m on my third training plan now… lets see how it goes.
Amazingly, however, I have yet to get truly discouraged. Despite the setbacks and my constant struggle with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), I still have looked forward to every single “reload” that I’ve had so far this season. Why is that?
- Running is better than not running. It keeps me healthy and gets me outside into the sunshine, which is great for my SAD.
- You’ll have bad days, but you’ll have many more good days! My last run of 2012 was horrible. Had I let that get me down, I wouldn’t have come back 2 days later and had an amazing run!
- I have a goal I’m chasing. By signing up for the Long Branch Half Marathon in May, it’s given me a real purpose in my training. I am really focused on setting a new PR, and I know I can do it!
- It gives me “me” time. At work, I’m the new computer programmer who has to get things done. At home, I’m a dad to my amazing son and husband to my incredible wife. But when I run…I’m just me, a runner alone on the road, with a clear mind just putting one foot in front of the other.
So if you’ve been struggling with training, don’t stress about it. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to get “reloaded.” Life is change, you just need to roll with the punches. Just focus on the positive, and feel free to steal my mantra: Find the Reason. Find the Courage. Find the Strength.
Twitter: mplsrunning
I can very much relate to this. Just yesterday I did something to my back that is threatening to derail my May half marathon plans. Remembering that “I’m just me, a runner alone on the road with a clear mind just putting one foot in front of the other.” is quite motivational – however simple, and can get out the door.
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Thanks for checking out the blog. It is a downer when you have an injury…especially once to your back…that’s the worst! I’m sure you’ll heal up soon. Best of luck with the training!
So good to read this post as I drink my coffee this morning. My biggest derailment right now seems to be general tiredness. Too many things trying to fit into one days time. I need a lot of sleep it seems and getting up early to run is losing out. I am trying to remind myself that it is temporary and I feel much better when I start my day with a run. Reading your blog reminds me that I am capable if getting it all done. Good luck to you with your training!
Renee recently posted..Unplanned rest days
It’s true…running really does give you a great boost. I can definitely understand with morning running…I find it next to impossible to do, especially during the week. Just make sure to eat right, get some extra vitamins, and stay positive!
Sprint Tri training started this week. I need new running shoes so post runs are a little painful but I’m pushing through. Lack of sleep and laziness derail me. This week I’ve been ultra motivated. Changing up the exercises has done wonders.
Thomas Costello recently posted..Excuses
Yeah, laziness will get you. I’ve personally found though that once I get through a day or two of training the momentum carries me forward. Hopefully you’ll find the same!
I know the feeling well. Injuries are such a pain (no pun intended) and really get me down. I was out in the wind and rain this morning on a 7.5 miler thinking how well my January went (16 runs, 88 miles) and when will it all collapse??? pessimistic? Well maybe but you have to be realistic too as it can happen withoutwarning. keep the blog coming. Love it
Thanks for checking in! In case anyone reading this didn’t know, Kirk is one of our inspirational running dads…check out his post on the site. In any case, all you can do is take one day at a time, and appreciate all the joy running brings you while it does!
I hear ya about life getting in the way of training!! If its not new work demands then its some injury. I’ve been really focusing on & working on my running form but I still find my legs getting achy to the point where I need to take off a week here & a week there.
Two things really keep me motivated: I’m determined to stay on my healthy track & be a positive example for my kids. I also stay determined because of my upcoming goals. I have my first 1/2 marathon coming up in 2 weeks & my 1st full marathon coming up at the end of April. I’m very determined!!
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Best of luck with your first 1/2. The first is always something to remember! And following up with a full in April? I love the ambition! Piece of advice, after double digit runs take ice baths for 10-15 minutes…it will do wonders for your legs!
I trained for my first half marathon last October. I used an online training schedule that ideally had me running every other day. With my schedule as an locally elected official (at least four nightly meetings a month), two elementary age kids with tons of activities and a supportive wife, I simply just adjusted what the schedule called for. For instance, if I was supposed to do a 7-mile hilly run yesterday, but I had meetings, I’d just do that workout two days later.
On occasion, I had to move a long run to Monday, but by and large my wife and kids knew that Sunday afternoons were tied up for a couple of hours. I do remember one day when I mowed the lawn first and then prepared dinner so I could throw it in the oven when I got back from my run. At about mile 7 in my run, as I started up the biggest hill, I had been on my feet for several hours. The last three or four miles, I felt like I was trudging along.
In end, my approach of training regularly (when I could, sometimes as little as twice a week, sometimes getting four or five workouts in) paid off. I finished the half in 1:45.
Get job on the half! I’m aiming to break 1:50 this coming May, and would LOVE to surpass 1:45…maybe I’ll use you as motivation!
RunnerDad, I know what its like to be plagued with injuries and chug through those long runs, as you remember I suffer from the infamous IT BAND problem… ouch! In case you have forgotten, I do know someone who gives GREAT massages and is always just a phone call away… he makes house calls and will even come out to the trail to get you back on your feet moving towards the finish line. If you’ve lost his number, I can always give it to you.
Thanks Coach Tom!
Ha, thanks for the reminder. If it weren’t for Coach Tom I wouldn’t have completed my first marathon!
Twitter: TimothyRuxton
I did my last race in Novemeber and I think I’ve gone through 3 training plans since then- start, stop, start over, repeat. It isn’t really injury in my case, but weather, work, and just the thought that my next race (1/2 M in May) is so far away! Thanks for the words of confidence. It helps me get my focus back to why we love putting one foot in front of the other.
I hear you on the start stop start pattern…sometimes I feel like the universe is against me running. Glad to give you some inspiration!
Twitter: fauxrunner
This training season, I am on start-stop-start-stop pattern as well. Injured, sick, minor surgery, sick again. Way too many times than I would like. Training plan has become more like training guidelines. Result – I am completely undertrained, but have come to peace with the fact that the race is going to be ugly and it is a question of mind vs. miles. But I also think that is it my body/life/universe’s way of telling me to slow down and recover and smell the roses before I jump into another race. And I plan to do exactly that once I finish up this race.
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It really is all about coming to peace with it, ya know? You can’t drive yourself crazy worrying about it, otherwise it takes all the joy out of running.
So much for my training plan for a half-marathon. Started 3 months ago, but just like you, been attacked by sickness and injury. 21k will be this Sunday, and I’ll probably run only 10k to at least get a challenge and keep me running.
Now since I’m getting sick when I train harder and longer, I’ve changed my plan to running faster. I might just aim for a faster 10k, and eventually add mileage as I go and feel like it. I won’t push a deadline for 21k anymore as I got frustrated the first time and made me wanna stop improving and just run. Now I enjoy running again as I see improvements, both in my goal and in not getting sick or injured after a run.
Carlo recently posted..New goal – to run faster!
Glad to hear you’ve started to enjoy running again. There’s nothing worse than when it becomes a chore. That happened to me, and I ended up taking off 14 months! So glad to be back to it though!
Twitter: CVermule
I know what you mean about things taking you away from training. Between my foot still hurting some times from after my 1/2 a month ago to work being so busy that i don’t get my lunch runs in I feel sometimes that I won’t be ready for my next run or I’ll stop entirely. Although I know that won’t be happening, I’m hooked for life! Keep on running because there is nothing like it!
Keep them beats coming!
Cecil Vermule recently posted..Injinji Toe Socks Giveaway!
That’s true, there is nothing like running. It’s so beneficial, so fun, and so rewarding!
I get derailed by traveling to a new city every week. Sometimes I land in a city in which I just do not feel safe enough to run. Even though I have a 24 hr Fitness membership that dredded treadmill is no picnic.
No, the treadmill is not picnic, though once I ran 16 miles on one. Sounds like you have quite to mobile life…I’m sure running helps you stay “grounded” though!
Twitter: Irohasimon
Great article
Completely agree in spite of inevitable setbacks running is ultimately an incredible pleasure
I think one is blessed when this hobby becomes an addiction
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
This! My cat got sick and needed surgery, my kids got the flu, I got the flu…I spent more of January not running than running. But, my first half is next weekend and, with the exception of some of January, I trained. I’m ready. I may not finish with the most amazing time in the world, but I’ll finish.
Amy Runs recently posted..Faking It
I think we all have weeks and months like that sometimes…and sometimes it is just about finishing. Whatever happens, just remember to enjoy it!