Those who know me well, know three things about me for sure: I'm crazy, I'm stubborn, and I'm disciplined (clarification: when I WANT to be). I know that my friends and family support me and believe in me and my ability to achieve goals. That's what friends and family do, right?
Recently, I was talking to someone that I had just met and I mentioned that I was training for my 5th marathon. I told them that I was really excited about this marathon, because I have really kicked my training up a few notches and that I'm shooting for a sub 4 hour finish. Of course (just as I would probably do) they asked me what my PR for the marathon is now. I told them, 4:43 and that it was back in November.
And their response offended me... a lot. Basically, their response was... about how that's a good way to get injured or burnt out, etc... And instead of punching the dude in the face (what I really wanted to do) I forced a smile and said... well, we'll see. And quickly changed the subject.
I know it sounds crazy. I know that shaving 45 minutes off my previous best (just a few months ago) seems impossible to some people. But, I know that as long as I stay injury-free and continue with my training that I can attain that goal. I really believe that. And normally, I could give a shit what other people think... but for some reason... I've had a hard time shaking that conversation. It's probably because I didn't stand up for myself and explain X, Y, and Z to them.
But the real problem is... that it's made me think about Eugene in 2008. My goal then was a 4:20 marathon. And you remember how that ended, right? With my slowest time ever. I loosely followed the same plan then as I am now. And that freaks the shit out of me.
But, I'm logging many more miles now (I've already cracked 50 miles a week the past two weeks and will do so many more weeks before the race... which, if memory serves me well, I think I've only had one 50+ mileage week... back in 2007). I'm consistently doing hill training and interval training. I'm losing weight and toning up (at least I'm trying to tone up).
I can do this. I know that I can. I may not could crack 4:20 in Eugene. But, I'm sure as hell not going to let the ghost of marathons past keep me from cracking 4:00 in St. Louis.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
12 comments:
how many marathons has this person run? it sounds like they think they know what they're talking about. personally, i say fuck 'em. you know your body best, and know at what point you're going to be doing more harm than good. with the way you've been running lately, 4 hours is totally do-able. would he tell someone who's never run a marathon before that a sub 4 hour race is impossible? bah. douche.
You know you can do it, we all know you can do it, that guy is a joke. And, in St. Louis, when you are feeling tired, you can think about how jerk-face told you can't, and that you are.
Keep working hard and never give up!
you keep talking about wanting to be hardcore, well chick, you are already hardcore. You have ran multiple marathons and are training BIG TIME for this one. You even run 2 races in one day with it raining and freezing cold. What did I do, I wussed out and went back to bed. You are putting in long run after long run all through the week. I ran 18 miles and had to take a week off to recover.
Like Spike said, use it has fuel when you get tired!!!!!
Yeah, guy's a douchebag. People should know to shut the fuck up if they don't think you can do whatever it is you're talking about, but no, self-important dickwad has to be all, "you'll get burned out. You can't do it!" YOU know you can. Dude's an a-hole.
From my first to my second marathon I knocked off 27 minutes and my second to my third I knocked off another 18. If you add that up, that's 45. You can totally do this. Focus on the goal and BELIEVE you can do it. It's your mind that will achieve your goals; not your body.
u still gt time, go punch him in the face...let your running do the talking...your training smart, the times will come.
You can definitely do it, but the good news is that even if you don't break 4, a PR is likely. As you know marathons are crazy things and a lot can happen. My first real shot at breaking 4 was Chicago 07. Yeah, the year they cancelled the marathon midway through, someone died, and we ran with a chorus of ambulance sirens almost until the end when they eerily stopped (I didn't know it then but that just meant they were out of ambulances, including the suburban ones, and were transporting people in vans). Needless to say, I didn't break 4 hours. But the point is, marathons are unpredictable and even if something keeps you from 4 hours, you've done the work and you'll get there pretty quickly. Even if this guy you were talking to has run 50 marathons (and I'm guessing he's run at least a couple, b/c a non-marathoner doesn't know how hard it can be to drop 45 minutes, they just think you're crazy for going over 5-10 miles), that doesn't equal knowing what pace predictors show for your new times (I don't think you've ever had a 5k or half that predicted sub 4 before this year), knowing that you've lost fat and toned up, and knowing that you're doing the speedwork and the easy runs and the endurance runs that are necessary to make 4 hours possible. I bet if you'd busted out with your half PR, he'd have shut his mouth.
don't let the haters get you down.
but, i'm pretty sure thinking spiteful thoughts might help propel you through a few miles.
I think sub-four hours is definitely within your grasp after your performance in the Frostbite with the hills and gravel.
Only 5 minutes in the ice bath??? Well, damn!
I think I have freezer burn.
You are so motivated and doing so well I am sure you will reach your goal for the marathon! Don't worry about what others think!
Oh you sure as HELL can do it! If you train right (which you are) and you believe in yourself... you will do it. I just know that to be true from experience.
Im watching as my Running Buddy is about to shave 1 hour off of her first marathon time of 5 hours. What you believe you can achieve...especially if you do the work. Rock on sista!!!!
Oh and I agree with Joe...fuck em!!
Just found your blog through other running blogs (clicking and exploring :) ) and love it! Can't wait to read more about your training, and heyy if you've put the work in, you'll get the results! If anything, a stupid comment is just more motivation!
Post a Comment