The bane of my existence is my internal struggle with needing to be in control of all facets of my life and the need to let go of some things. I don't think I'm unusual in this and friends, I KNOW you know this about me...
When there are days that I know the family and I will be here and there and everywhere, I stress out about things including but not limited to the following things:
about remembering everything we'll need...
anticipating anything that we could need...
getting to where we need to be when we're supposed to be there.
I am a freak.
And where does all of anxiety and stress and worrying get me?
Disappointed in myself when something is neglected because, "I spent ALL OF THAT TIME planning so that I WOULDN'T forget the swim suits, or the phone charger or whatever the heck I undoubtedly leave behind.
Here I am, less than two weeks away from the day I have been training and planning for for the last 16+weeks! I have tried new fueling options ( YES to nibbling on protein bars during the longer runs, thanks for the idea, Bridget! and NO to any kinds of gels, that is, unless I want to be stopping at the portapotties every aid station...) I have tried new strategies for enduring the long runs and figured out that walking a minute or two every 2 miles seems to be the best. I have woken up early to get in almost every single training run in the plan for 16 weeks now. I have fallen in and out of love with running more times than I can count.
Go ahead and ask me...ask me, "Do you feel prepared for this marathon, Amanda?"
HELL to the YES!
If you would have asked me after that first 20 mile training run that I wrote about last time, I would have shrugged and said, "I guess."
My second 20 miler went SO incredibly well, it gave me such a confidence boost! First of all, it was cooler: THANK the GOOD LORD! That helped, but I really think my mindset had 95% of the power over how well the run went. Before the first 20 miler, I was nervous and scared about how it would all go. I planned everything to a T to when I would walk, when I would eat, when I would meet my bestie, etc. Besides getting to be with Tara, the rest of the run didn't go as well as I'd hoped it would and it left me a little defeated. The second time around, I wasn't nervous at all. I knew that the 20 miles was going to happen. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I knew whole-heartedly that it would get done. It ended up being one of the best runs I've ever had. I took 5 miles to get to some wonderful friends who were waiting for me. We did the next 3 together all three of us and when Denise had to leave, Kelly did the next 4 with me. When I left her at 12 miles, I still felt GREAT! I went all around town to get those last 8 miles in and when I finished, I had more confidence in myself than I had felt in a long while.
Since then, runs have been here and there. Right after that one, the next few were not as stellar and the 12 I did last weekend really sucked. Even though I got to run with the same awesome ladies as I did the weekend before, the humidity (seriously, THAT can end any time now!) got the better of me. These last two days, though, I've felt invincible.
It's amazing how this running thing has turned into a real relationship as opposed to just a fling. There are days I spend the whole run with stars in my eyes, thinking about how great EVERYTHING is and when I can do this again? There are also days I get stuck in my head and fight with my inner negative Nancy the entire time. But I always lace up. I always get out there. I'm in it for the long haul.
Next stop: Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon!
My bib number is 2896. You can track me by using this link:
http://track.rtrt.me/e/SMA-LAKEFRONT-2015#b=na&v=ptrack
I finished my last full in 5:07. I am hoping to finish this one in under 4:45. We'll see. We know how planning goes...
I'm planning on heading to The Running Depot for this week's Wednesday run. I hope to see you there! I'm SO bummed to miss this Saturday's fun run because they will be going into Sterne's Woods. I wanted to make that one, but it's not in the cards. If you've never gone into Sterne's Woods before, plan on meeting at The Running Depot at 7:30am for a 4 mile run in the woods! There will even be a Brook's representative there who might let you demo a pair of their trail shoes!
Have a great couple of weeks, friends!
When there are days that I know the family and I will be here and there and everywhere, I stress out about things including but not limited to the following things:
about remembering everything we'll need...
anticipating anything that we could need...
getting to where we need to be when we're supposed to be there.
I am a freak.
And where does all of anxiety and stress and worrying get me?
Disappointed in myself when something is neglected because, "I spent ALL OF THAT TIME planning so that I WOULDN'T forget the swim suits, or the phone charger or whatever the heck I undoubtedly leave behind.
Here I am, less than two weeks away from the day I have been training and planning for for the last 16+weeks! I have tried new fueling options ( YES to nibbling on protein bars during the longer runs, thanks for the idea, Bridget! and NO to any kinds of gels, that is, unless I want to be stopping at the portapotties every aid station...) I have tried new strategies for enduring the long runs and figured out that walking a minute or two every 2 miles seems to be the best. I have woken up early to get in almost every single training run in the plan for 16 weeks now. I have fallen in and out of love with running more times than I can count.
Go ahead and ask me...ask me, "Do you feel prepared for this marathon, Amanda?"
HELL to the YES!
If you would have asked me after that first 20 mile training run that I wrote about last time, I would have shrugged and said, "I guess."
My second 20 miler went SO incredibly well, it gave me such a confidence boost! First of all, it was cooler: THANK the GOOD LORD! That helped, but I really think my mindset had 95% of the power over how well the run went. Before the first 20 miler, I was nervous and scared about how it would all go. I planned everything to a T to when I would walk, when I would eat, when I would meet my bestie, etc. Besides getting to be with Tara, the rest of the run didn't go as well as I'd hoped it would and it left me a little defeated. The second time around, I wasn't nervous at all. I knew that the 20 miles was going to happen. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I knew whole-heartedly that it would get done. It ended up being one of the best runs I've ever had. I took 5 miles to get to some wonderful friends who were waiting for me. We did the next 3 together all three of us and when Denise had to leave, Kelly did the next 4 with me. When I left her at 12 miles, I still felt GREAT! I went all around town to get those last 8 miles in and when I finished, I had more confidence in myself than I had felt in a long while.
Since then, runs have been here and there. Right after that one, the next few were not as stellar and the 12 I did last weekend really sucked. Even though I got to run with the same awesome ladies as I did the weekend before, the humidity (seriously, THAT can end any time now!) got the better of me. These last two days, though, I've felt invincible.
It's amazing how this running thing has turned into a real relationship as opposed to just a fling. There are days I spend the whole run with stars in my eyes, thinking about how great EVERYTHING is and when I can do this again? There are also days I get stuck in my head and fight with my inner negative Nancy the entire time. But I always lace up. I always get out there. I'm in it for the long haul.
Next stop: Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon!
My bib number is 2896. You can track me by using this link:
http://track.rtrt.me/e/SMA-LAKEFRONT-2015#b=na&v=ptrack
I finished my last full in 5:07. I am hoping to finish this one in under 4:45. We'll see. We know how planning goes...
I'm planning on heading to The Running Depot for this week's Wednesday run. I hope to see you there! I'm SO bummed to miss this Saturday's fun run because they will be going into Sterne's Woods. I wanted to make that one, but it's not in the cards. If you've never gone into Sterne's Woods before, plan on meeting at The Running Depot at 7:30am for a 4 mile run in the woods! There will even be a Brook's representative there who might let you demo a pair of their trail shoes!
Have a great couple of weeks, friends!