Week six - Marathon Training - The highs and low low lows.

[suzybenj]

After finishing last week on a fairly positive note. This week has been plagued by injury and doubt. My left leg was my original problem - but got that fixed and all going well. As I extend the distance - my whole right leg is protesting - a visit to sports therapist and deep tissue massage (v painful) concluded my IT bands at fault. My Tuesday run was very painful. My gym session was moderately ok and my long run yesterday - hideous.

I managed 9 miles - but was running most of it into strong wind - which was deeply unpleasant and literally took my breath way - i had to keep stopping to walk to catch my breath - I was so despondent in tears actually. I nearly stopped at six miles - to have a hot chocolate and get Mr suzy B to pick me up - but I knew if I did that I would feel doubly rubbish. So I ploughed on and actually was secretly quite pleased with the finish. Despite the pain and feeling so negative - managed a quick 3 miles- I was desperate to finish. ( I am quite irritated today - as it is beautiful running conditions - but watched son play rugby today)

My jittery nerves are really plaguing me - last week ended on a high and then this week i have come plummeting down - partly the injury - which is just plain uncomfortable. But also work have really got behind me on the support and fund-raising- Treadmill Marathon with another colleague planned and another colleague is holding a fundraiser event in my honour. Whilst pleased - it also makes me very nervous about letting people down - which only adds to my lack of confidence. I am also really struggling with the highs and low in emotions- was seriously thinking of quitting.

But I had some interesting thoughts this morning - sun shining therefore feeling more positive. I read somewhere if you don't have the highs and lows Then you are only half living- that is living life at half volume - who wants to do that!!

On my running distances - whenever I set out for my long runs - 10/11/12 miles feels mentally fine. I crack off 3 and just think only six or whatever to go. Clearly something has adjusted in my brain.

I also did some maths on my marathon finishing times - I am hoping for anything under 5 hours . Based on yesterday's deeply disappointing run- I would finish in six hours. Actually that is quite comforting - I can finish without killing myself and it does feel doable.

Roll on week seven.....

Happy running everyone

[Beek Graduate]

Hi suzybenj! It's right you know. Without the lows how would you recognise the highs? Hard as it is you need the low lows to be able to appreciate the highs you are going to feel when you succeed!

I don't know how long your training schedule is but I wish you every strength to persevere. You'll get there and you are a star! Think back to the beginning when you balked at 20 minute runs and look at you now - 10/11/12 miles, FANTASTIC figures!

Chin up and good luck!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Beek]

Thanks Beek - you are so kind - like a salve to my rather heavy heart. As you say look how far we have all come

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

I am in awe! "Managed a quick 3 miles" after nearly giving up! Great attitude. You'll be fine I'm sure.

It sounds like the whole preparation is a bit of a roller coaster emotionally and in terms of confidence - and I suppose the actual marathon will feel pretty much the same with times when you think you won't finish and other times when you'll know you can. Overcoming all these emotions now sounds like great mental preparation for the big day too.

Keep going, and keep us posted about your progress, we're right behind you (and a LONG WAY behind you in terms of distances most of us can run!!)

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to runningnearbeirut]

Thank you - for bolstering my rather fragile confidence. As you you say maybe it is part of the toughening up and preparedness - time will tell. 9 weeks of training left!

[notbad Graduate]

I think we're all in awe, this is serious distance you're taking on, the weather is cruel, 9 miles in that horrid wind - no wonder it was a toughie. Well done for sticking it out and look after that IT band.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to notbad]

Many thanks - appreciate your support. IT band feels a bit better today - but back with therapist Tuesday- which I am not looking fwd to.... No pain no gain and all that!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

its easy to forget, but a really important part of marathon training is mental, and training ourselves to deal with difficulties...it is so normal to have a week like that and you just feel so low, but you know what..thats all gold in the training bank and there will be a run soon where you feel on top of it all and euphoric...hang in there, keep going and well done, you are the Marathon Queen...xxxx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Aah - JJ - thank you so much - gold in the running bank - i will remember that- and the first time I have felt like smiling today :-)..In fact I am smiling now! xxx

[Feefbev Graduate]

Hey - feeling your pain - I'm in training for the rat race (13 weeks to go!) and had the run from hell last Sunday - if I hadn't been with my little personal trainer I would have quit - the weather was hideous, it was pouring down with freezing rain, I wasn't 100% and kept getting really weak and had to keep walking, and to top it off wrecked my brand new iphone 5 by getting rain in it. I was then unable to run again all week due to the husband working away so felt utterly rubbish and despondent about the whole thing. Friday night I was dreading the 6.5 miles I had planned for Saturday morning. I woke to glorious sunshine and perfect running conditions. I set off with no music and my husbands Garmin watch to measure my distance and loved every damn second of it. I'm still surfing the runners high today and feel incredibly positive about the challenge ahead - it's true, its all about the mental side. Keep hold of the feeling after a brilliant run when times get tough - good luck with your training, keep us posted!

[c4ts Graduate]

Suzybenj - love catching up with your post each week, and send you all my positive thoughts because you are just so amazing at going so far so quickly. NEVER EVER THINK YOU MIGHT LET ANYONE DOWN this is your journey and it is just for you to complete.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to c4ts]

Thank you - receiving those positive thoughts loud and clear!!!! And thank you for reminding me I am doing this for me not anyone else. Your support means a lot.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

I so admire you for resisting the hot chocolate - it is that mental attitude that will get you there. Understand your concerns around all that support adding pressure but you are putting in the effort and you will get over that line and it will be great.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you for your support and comments. I have digested all the coments this week on mental strength - it has been very helpful thank you