Do you have what it takes?

This is a question I have been asking myself a lot lately. After two disastrous long runs that had to be cut short, one taking the subway due to blisters and the other one probably walking the best part of the last 10 kilometres, I have been rethinking my capabilities.

I cannot help but marvel at the people who have done many marathons and yes suffer through the heat of a challenging run but they DO IT. They complete it with the least amount of walking and are allowed to feel a sense of accomplishment. And when they tell me that I should celebrate, I am happy but deep down I feel like a fraud because I just couldn't do it.

What an eye opener. Me who thought would be ok because I ran with the group in March/April/May now I'm finding that the heat completely stops me. I get the chills, I feel dizzy, my skin gets so red and puffy, my form goes completely away, I keep hitting my left ankle bone with my right foot. It's very disheartening after a while that I want to quit, simply quit and be done with it.

While I realize that most of this is due to what I do before, during AND after the run, I have decided, once again to re-evaluate what I'm doing and what I can change to make it better.

1. Rest: I have not been resting enough, especially the day before a long run. How on earth have I forgotten this? Day before a race you will NOT see me going here, there, and everywhere. I will NOT cycle all over the city and I will NOT allow myself to get sunburned. And yet, I continuously do this while I train. Time to change this.

Solution: Saturdays will be a total rest day. I will do only minimal walking and very little cycling, none if possible. I will drink lots and lots of water, stay hydrated and out of the sun. I will go to bed early that evening.

2. Diet: It sucks. I basically eat stuff not knowing the ratio. I just eat. I eat lots of veggies, a bit of meat but I don't have the proper balance. I'm lucky I don't eat too much junk food or empty calories but again, sometimes I do.

Solution: Well balanced meals and snacks are important. Time to get cracking. And while I'm at it, start taking more vitamins. I used to take Greens and it made a HUGE difference. Why did I stop??? Vitamin D and E is fine but I liked the boost that I got from Greens so I will get some again and take it every morning.

3. Alcohol: Wine in particular. This dehydrate me and taking a few glasses the day before is NOT helping at all.

Solution: Pretty obvious when you think about it... no more wine on Saturdays and minimal consumption during the week, if any. A beer after the workout is ok but sticking to water will be an even wiser choice. I'll see how this one goes.

4. Running Frequency: Someone mentioned that a short, recovery type run on Thursday or Friday would be a good option to get used to the heat (humidex is to go to 46 on Thursday). This would also help for my long slow runs.

Solution: Do a short run on Fridays, no more than 6k. Do it easy but do it as steady as possible. Going to Cherry beach is a good route, minimal interruptions/traffic lights as possible.

5. Bad thoughts: The ones that make me stop. The thoughts that make me want to pack it in and leave.

Solution: Shut them up. Really shut them up. You're listening to your brain telling you it doesn't like to be pushed. You can do it. Others do it and so can you. When you are in that place, slow down, advise the pace group leader that you will catch up to them. I find that when I'm in that place I get extremely frustrated because I feel I'm slowing down the group so I prefer to run on my own.

I'm hoping that these will help me go through the grueling weeks/months ahead. I really do. Because right now, I don't have a lot of faith in me.

At the end of it all, it's really a matter of trust isn't it? What does that say about me?