Last week I went to the gym with the goal of running 12 miles. I had my iPhone loaded with a movie - "Babies" is beyond cute, and no one gets eaten! - and lots of podcasts. I even got set up on a treadmill in front of a TV tuned to a good channel. I did really well through 9 miles, and then I got hit with horrible stomach cramps. If I had been running outside, I would have had to walk it out and still finish the distance. But at mile 10.5, I gave up both physically and mentally.
When I talk to running friends about my concerns, they remind me that I still have time and say that I shouldn't get anxious about it. They also remind me that given my time constraints, I'm actually doing well to run as much as I am.
But it still doesn't help.
I really, really need the weather to turn so that I can get back to running outside and ramp up my mileage.
This morning I intended to run outside, but when I walked out and felt the temperature - 82 degrees at 5:30 - and the humidity, I grabbed my keys and headed to the gym. In an effort to keep myself amused, I ran 20 minutes of a preprogrammed hill routine and then 20 minutes of race pace, for a total of 4.5 miles. I definitely felt the workout, but it just wasn't the same as running the Windsor Loop with friends.
I know that if I can just get through this low point, I'll be fine. So I'm plugging along, hoping for cooler weather.
5 comments:
I can't even imagine training for a marathon, but I do undertand the itch to do the workout you want to to. My old knees are in my way!
Does anyone actually know what causes stomach cramps? This ALWAYS happens to me around mile 4, which is why I gave up running almost altogether and stick to the elliptical at the gym.
Good luck with your continued training.
BTW, by blog domain changed. I'm hollygoeslightly.us now.
OK I don't know a thing about running, but it seems to me, if you are in good shape and able to run many miles, if you start a marathon you've wanted to do forever, unless some horrible disaster happens like a broken ankle, you're going to finish it, right? relax and have fun.
Ah I want to run away right now thanks to the obscene language I'm hearing on this blog 'marathon', 'running', '10.5 miles' 'gym' . . How you assault my senses. It's just rude I tell you.
What's the opposite of a rain dance? A smudging? Whatever it is, we need some sort of anti-humidity ritual. Austin's weather is unacceptable right now!
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