Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 10

Clarity comes in the strangest of places. For me, it came yesterday in Salvation Army.

I was being that annoying person, talking to my grandma as I wandered the aisles in the desperate pursuit for a pot big enough to hold a canning rack. I was giving her the details of my first physical therapy appointment - knots, scar tissue, old injury - when she asked what grandmas are supposed to ask.

"Did they tell you to stop running?"

I told her that, surprisingly, no. I was not told to stop running and, in fact, I was told to keep up my mileage as best I can and the only thing to avoid was hills and speed work.

But I also told her that maybe part of me was almost hoping for them to say no.

From the moment I decided to call the chiropractor two weeks ago to the appointment with the ortho to my session with the physical therapist, I've been waiting for the other Brooks Ravenna to drop on my Veterans training. It's as if I've been waiting for someone to rule out the marathon so that I wouldn't have to do it myself. I've been waiting for someone to tell me to drop down to the half. I've been hoping, maybe, for the OK to ease up on the training.

Even on Sunday, when I went out for the decision-making long run, I was almost anticipating a searing pain that was going to leave me stranded at the park and require an embarrassing pick up and admittance that the marathon was not for me. But nope. My long run was great, at a decent pace and my pain post-run was minimal and, only then, probably because of a lack of stretching. I felt empowered and strong.

If I were a believer in signs, I'd be certain that all of them were pointing me to do this marathon. And so I'm going with it. 100 percent. I'm going to stop doubting, stop worrying, stop letting the fear rule me - or run my heart out trying.


The week:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing + Bodypump
Wednesday: 3.16-mile run
Thursday: Rip
Friday: 5.02-mile run
Saturday: Bodypump
Sunday: 15.34-mile run

13 comments:

  1. How many times must I say this? YOU ARE GOING TO ROCK THIS MARATHON.

    Did you find the canning pot, though? That's the only thing in doubt here!

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    1. You make me smile. I did not find a canning pot. I bought a rack to insert thinking it would fit into my dutch oven but no dice. I've been searching thrift high and low for something that might not work to no avail. I just bought a giant stock pot at Kohl's. If it doesn't work, I'm going to hit something.

      P.S. Don't know what your schedule is like but I plan to run Vets course as training run on Friday, Oct. 18. Not whole thing but hoping to get in 20 or so.

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  2. When you doubt, go back and read your training logs. You can do this!

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    1. Thanks! I hope you are feeling better. I clicked over to your blog and read about the blood work. Any answers?

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  3. :)

    YAY! Because you CAN rock this marathon and you WILL!

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    1. Will you marry me? I promise to always have French onion dip in the fridge and fresh coffee made.

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  4. I am so happy to hear you are feeling good and moving forward KNOWING YOU GOT THIS!

    I have to ask though, are you not enjoying the training? Why do you think you were wanting them to tell you to cut back? I think this is an awesome goal, but that you should do this for YOU because you enjoy it. Or something ;)

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    1. I think I am a) lazy and b) allow myself to get intimidated by the long runs. I think that if I make more of an effort to find running buddies that it might help.

      On another note, I forgot to tell you that I totally failed the Stork test and surprisingly, my right leg (the dominant) did worse. Also, my glutes don't fire properly. Maybe. Working with a PT is totally interesting.

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    2. You are not lazy! Duh. But yeah, even after years of long runs I am sometimes all "can I do this?!" Do you think you will run with your running buddy again?

      Ahh, interesting! They gave you some exercises, right?!

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    3. Not sure about running buddy but might have an early a.m. date this week! Yes to exercises - glute raises, prone bent knee leg raises and clam shells. I have to actively focus on engaging glutes before starting action. My ass is going to be so tight. Oh, and I plan to do them all in my classes tonight.

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  5. YES. So glad you are believing in yourself!! You are definitely going to rock this marathon. I hope the PT helps.

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  6. You can do it! Glad all the signs pointed to yes. I've totally been there with the mid-training injury. It's tough not to get down, but you definitely have the right attitude!

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