After a disastrous weekend, this week's running has been far better than expected, and anticipated. Making decisions always help me, so is talking to other people and realizing that many share what I'm going through. I have people who don't know me giving me invaluable advice (thank you Helen!!!) and some whom I know that give me total encouragement and support just by being patient with my emotions through my journey.
A year or so ago when I started thinking about the big M, I was reading many forums, talking to people or simply listening on conversations from people who had done the training and had completed their first marathon. I kept hearing the same thing: it's hard, it takes commitment, total commitment to do it right. By doing it right doesn't mean doing it at a certain pace or placing well in your AG, no, it means that you get to the start line uninjured, happy, relaxed, confident in your abilities and knowing that you put in the effort into your 18+ weeks of training.
Like any noob, I thought I could handle doing too much, having too much fun, not enough sleep, water, proper food, etc... the training quickly brought me back to earth. And that's when I had to make a few key decisions. First it was the shoes, the blisters. I tried different combinations then finally found what works for me. Saucony shoes with Thorlo socks. In hot weather, these socks rock.
Then came energy. Since deciding on cutting back wine I feel better. Not that I had any to drink during the week but knowing that I won't put myself in the position of being dehydrated makes me feel better. One less thing to worry about.
Eating better. I'm more in tune with what I eat. I have downloaded a list of what is carbs and what is proteins. Believe it or not, I didn't know what constitute one over the other. I was just eating before. Meat, 2 veggies or 1 veg and 1 rice/noodles. Dessert is fruit with either fruit yogurt or my now favorite greek yogurt. Or no dessert at all.
Drink more water. This is ongoing. Some days I drink more than others. I have purchased a camelpack and used it yesterday for our run to the hills and I felt good. It's light, doesn't bounce too much and with the music I'm listening to, the sloshing of water doesn't get too distracting.
Energy drink. I have purchased more and it's in the fridge. I'll try to dilute some in my camelpack for my run on Sunday and see how it goes.
Cross training. I have started yoga again and it really helped. Not sure I like the yoga instructor at the current gym so might go across the street to the new place. And spinning has made a reappearance as well.
So these decisions, while not earth shattering, are important to me. It has helped this week, so has the talk on clinic night. But mostly I have gained my self confidence back. I have a plan, I have a group with me, I'm not alone in my journey even if it is my journey, nobody else. But I feel better that is for sure.
And like any journey, it will change from week to week. I'm sure I will have other times when my self-confidence will be tested again. And I hope that I will be able to learn from this to take it with me to the start line. No matter what happens or how it happens, I have it in me to finish it.
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