My Motivational Speech to Myself

About a week after the Seaside Half-marathon, I realized I was going to have to be truly dedicated if I wanted to train for a marathon by April 27th.  My plan, since I didn't have loads of time for long runs, was to increase the weekly mileage and be somewhat gradual (somewhat not) with my long runs.  I wanted my mileage each week to reach 50 miles or more and I knew in order to do that I would have to run every day.  That would mean getting on the treadmill during Eloise's nap time.  It would mean getting outside on nice warm days with the jogging stroller.  It would mean getting up at 4:45a.m. and meeting the girls for a few miles, getting home by 6:00 a.m. so Jason could go for his run.

Commitment and dedication.  That is what it was going to mean to marathon train.  So I gave myself a motivation speech (a.k.a stern talking to) one Sunday afternoon while I was running. 

"You have to get serious about this if you don't want to be miserable April 27th. You've got to make yourself a training plan and really stick to it this time.  You just ran a half marathon so you can no longer look at yourself as a woman who just had a baby.  You must now look at yourself as a woman training for a marathon and go from there.  It is going to be hard, but you can handle hard.  You are going to be tired, sleep deprived, and you are not going to want to get on that treadmill.  But you have to.  You have to be committed.  You can do this."

So I came home and wrote out my training plan.  I kept it simple, writing the mileage I wanted in the top corner of each day on my calendar.  I took it one day at a time.  I tried not to focus on the 50 miles I wanted for the week, but only on that day's mileage.  Sunday I ran 6 slow and easy miles around my neighborhood.  Monday I got on the treadmill for 1.5 and then 3.5 as Eloise's naps allowed.  Tuesday I ran 8 while Mom babysat Eloise.  Wednesday I ran with my UAH 5k training group and I did a speed workout that Jason helped me create.  I ran 200, 200, 400 with equal rest 3 times with 1 mile warm-up and 0.2 cool down (I was hungry) for a total of 4.5 miles.  Thursday I did another 8 miles with Shannon.  Friday I forced myself to get in 5 miles at 5a.m. with my running girls.  I thought they were going to kill me.  Saturday I ran the Rocket Run 10 miler, with 2 miles warm-up and 2 miles cool down for 14 total miles, finishing a 50.5 mile week.

I did it.  I had to slow my pace so my body could withstand the 10+ mile increase for the week, but that was okay with me.

Yesterday started my second week of marathon training and I have 49 miles planned for the week, although it may end up being 50 because my speed workout on Wednesday bumps up the mileage.  Today I need 5 miles and I had planned to go with the girls this morning at 5:00, but I was up from 2:45-4:00 with Eloise.  Ha!  It is like she KNOWS when I need the sleep.  So I didn't go and, as always, I wish I had, but that is okay.  I am getting on that treadmill and getting it done.  I keep my motivational speech in my pocket and pull it out when my motivation wanes.  One day at a time...I will train for this marathon.