Oh man! Where has the time gone! I completely lost track of the days. The boys are home this week for their mini spring break, and we have been enjoying the sunshine and exploring. This also means Mommy isn’t on the computer or online much. This is a good thing. Juggling and finding time to run with the boys home is a fun thing to remember too.
Last week the weather warmed up and I was able to get outside and enjoy a few strong stroller runs. I mentioned that I have not really been doing any speed work this training cycle (and I should have). I decided to go for it last week, and found it to be challenging yet successful.
I am not sure if it was hormones, the beginning of a head cold, or just plain stubborn of “I don’t want to run hard” the last part of my week’s workouts were a struggle.
Last Week’s Training Plan (What I did) :
Monday: 1 mile easy (power walk)
Tuesday: 8 miles > 20/8 Yassos/20 w/stroller
Wednesday: active rest
Thursday: 6 mile run w/stroller
Friday: PiYo
Saturday: active rest
Sunday: 18.43 miles
I struggled hard with my long run on Sunday. It sucked. It was pretty much a walk, jog, shuffle, walk for 18.5 miles. I got the miles in… but it did not help my mental head game with marathon training.
I found myself comparing myself to others (who I have never met! Ha! Funny how the internet does that). I found myself talking negatively to myself in a way that I would never let anyone talk to me. I found myself giving up so early in the run… that it was a miracle that I continued.
I realize now that sometimes we all need those sucky runs… to remember and embrace that every run (and runner) is different. We need to be thankful for those miles we do cover and are able to run. Enjoy the run. Embrace the process. Love the run.
That being said… my weekly training plan is below. I am hoping that I will rock my long run this week… and stop doubting my abilities in training and self.
This Week’s Training Plan (What I plan to do) :
Monday: 1 mile easy with the boys
Tuesday: bike ride with the boys + Core &BodyPump Strength
Wednesday: 20/8 Yassos/20 with jogger
Thursday: kindergarten round-up/orientation! BodyPump Strength + walk
Friday: WU/4×1 mile at RP w/3 minute recovery/CD (w/jogger)
Saturday: active rest juggling watching/driving to soccer games
Sunday: 13-15 miles (solo)
Soccer season is in full swing for our boys. Yes, I was the goof ball who signed up my three boys in three different leagues (which practice on different nights, fields, and times AND play GAMES on opposite sides of Kansas City). Oy ve!
With our juggling of soccer games on the weekend… family time… and finding a new church home… my long run times and dates are always juggled to fit in the free time (time away from the family to run). Sigh.
Four more long runs till Boston. Yikes! The taper will be soon and I am sure I will get the itch to finally run long and hard. Oh the joys of marathon training!
Feel free to share your weekly training plan, meal plan, or family activities in our #MotivateME link-up below! Janice and I love to meet and encourage others across the web!
Carmy says
those sucky days really suck! I feel the same way when I’m taking 10+ minutes to do a mile because I’m burnt out and I see friends on IG running 8-9 minutes.
Rachel says
Yes. yes! YES!! I stopped posting my mile splits the past year because I felt like I was failing as a runner (and a ‘running blogger’) because my run times were SO much slower than other people who I was comparing myself to. :sigH:
Sucky runs suck… but those glorious runs DO happen too. 😉
Carmy says
yup! for the longest time, I HATED posting my splits. And there’s also that awkward miles/km conversion and people thinking I ran 6:00/mile instead of 6:00/km.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I am always so impressed by your long stroller runs-dont know how you do it!
Rachel says
Ha! Thanks! Thankfully T has been taking a cat-nap on our longer afternoon stroller runs. Otherwise he gets bored and feels it is the perfect time to ask life altering questions about the universe as I am huffing and puffing up/down the hills. 🙂
Farrah says
We need to be thankful for those miles we do cover and are able to run. Enjoy the run. Embrace the process. Love the run. <<– I loved that! It's a great philosophy to apply to life as well! Sometimes having those sucky moments makes you appreciate the good ones that much more!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
I’ve had a couple of those sucky long runs lately. It really does a number on you because you start to second guess yourself and definitely compare yourself to other. But you made it through those miles no matter how much they sucked and thats what’s important.
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
I know you said the miles sucked but girl you did it!! I try so hard not to judge myself against others (especially if you have only met them online). I’m a big believer of people don’t put everything on the internet – especially the bad stuff. You keep rocking it out 🙂
Katie @ Huff 'n Puff to Buff 'n Tough says
You are out there doing it!! That is all that matters! Everybody has those sucky runs… it’s just something we have to deal with and move on. 🙂
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Just remember that you’re out there running and training. Its hard to not compare our stats to others’ stats, but you’re out there running and training, and that’s what is most important.
Toni @runninglovingliving says
I find it hard sometimes not to compare myself to others, but I am working on it. Congrats on your training and know that not every one will be great. I think with running we all struggle at times, but then all of a sudden a great run happens!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Sucky runs are a fact of a runner’s life – but they make the good runs that much better and definitely make you mentally stronger 🙂
Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) says
I hate sucky runs/workouts! So deflating! And lol on soccer. We’re still a one kid soccer family but next year, we’ll have two. This will be our last summer of only one kid commitments.
Lara says
WOW! 18 miles awesome! No matter how long it took your got through it. Also that soccer schedule is rough, but your boys appreciate and love you for it 🙂