Mental and physical progress - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

2,637 members8,018 posts

Mental and physical progress

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon
10 Replies

I've just come back from another good long run, 21.3K, so just past the HM mark. I even matched my pace from last year's Oslo HM. This is particularly pleasing, because I'm still running that extra hilly route I've mentioned before, so barring another cold or other problems, things are looking good for Royal Parks, which is fairly flat. I walked a lot less on the ascent this time too. The ascent is in about 6 km in the final section of the run, but the first 3 km are the worst of it.

I wasn't really in the mood for this run, so I had to constantly argue with myself, but it worked. I even managed to push myself during the last km, when my app told me my pace was 7:00/km - I was determined to get below that and I did.

Like others in the group, I think I'm entering that phase of my training where I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the long runs still ahead. So I'm glad that I won't be doing any more long runs for another 12 days.

Written by
C3PO profile image
C3PO
Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Things are looking very good indeed!

Tomas profile image
TomasMarathon

Well done you, both for completing and for pushing the pace at the end.

I think sometimes the mental effort is almost the hardest bit about endurance running, and it can certainly be hard to get motivated to yet another multi-hour run if you're not really feeling the love. Self discipline only works for a limited time. Hope you find the excitement again.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

Well done.... you are doing so well. The long runs are mentally tough but as you tick them off you can have confidence in the knowledge you are properly preparing 😎

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon

Thanks for the replies so far! Even though I still think I'm being fairly sensible, giving myself a long time to get ready for London, with my Christmas marathon coming first, there's a bit of mental work that needs to be done there as well.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Yay! Way to go C3PO! Punches air with fist. It's tough but it's got to be done. Another one ticked off. Yessssssssssss!

walk quite a bit on my uphills bits but I'm not bothered. As long as I get up the buggers that's what matters. Don't get worried about the long ones coming up. Don't think about them, just do them as if on auto pilot. You'll find all sorts to think about while you're out there. I run to music which helps no end and is a bit of fun too. I have a cough and snotty nose again! Funnily enough though while I've been running I've been just fine. I was coughing a lung up last night. Bah!

You'll be fine mentally! You have it in you do nail this stuff. I think we all have. It's there somewhere but we might have to rummage a bit to find it.

Hang in there! We're here too, plugging away. You're not alone. Yeeeeeha!

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Half Marathon

Woohoo.

Hillrunner2201 profile image
Hillrunner2201Marathon

Thinking about a long run is sometimes the most difficult bit! Like others have said it's more of a mental battle than a physical one. I've found breaking a long run into segments to 'tick off' mentally during the run helps.

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon

Well done - sounds like you are doing just fine, that's a tough uphill stretch.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

Not long now for your Royal Parks Cristina! it'll be a great race to do! Sounds like your training is going really well! Might see you at parkrun again if you're on the IOW later on :)

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns

Oooh, I didn't realise you were training for a full marathon! Wow, you are tough. Three of my friends just did Berlin last week and I have seen the amount of training they have put into that! I am in awe that you can just go out and run a HM on your own. Amazing!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Progress!

I'm back to HM distance! It took 25 minutes longer than my PR but at least I'm back (and 5 minutes...
SkiMonday profile image
Ultramarathon

Pacing, pacing, pacing .... arrrggghhh!

I just went out for a wonderful wild run in Great Windsor Park - about as open a run as I could...
linda9389 profile image
Administrator

Help with "Race Pace"

I've got my training paces pretty sorted and they seem to match up with the Runners World training...
pianoteacher profile image
Marathon

HM Training... oh and Tracking Running Shoes

I've been preparing for next month's HU HM which will be my first ever HM distance. I always do my...
PDIGC profile image
Half Marathon

HUHM Race Report

To prepare for this, I skipped my usual weekly runs so my last run was the HUHM 10k last Sunday....
SkiMonday profile image
Ultramarathon

Moderation team

See all
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministrator
linda9389 profile image
linda9389Administrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.