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Training for White Rock

If you read my last blog, Starting Over: How an Injury Brought my Exercise to a Whole New Level, you know I am in the process of recovering from a foot injury AND training for a half marathon. As I’ve trained for this, I have run countless miles, done cross training and conditioning…. and the big question is…. will all of my hard work pay off? Will I run a good race, or will I struggle?? Coming back from an injury just isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

 

I have previously run in Dallas White Rock (3 half marathons, 1 full marathon), and my goal is always to beat my previous time. It is a flat course, which goes around a beautiful lake in Dallas, Texas and always has a good turnout. There is great spectator support and live music at various mile markers which makes it fun. When I cross the finish line this year, instead of trying to beat my last time, I am challenging myself to see it as running a good race, and being on the road to recovery - not as the crescendo of my running career.

I’ve noticed that the more obsessed I get with getting faster - the less I enjoy running. So I ask myself: What is a realistic expectation to have when dealing with physical set-backs with a training schedule? My instincts tell me to get out there, quit whining about it and just do it, but sometimes my body has other ideas. My podiatrist told me I would never run the same again, and stubborn as I am I had to prove him wrong.

But try as I might, I am starting to think… dare I even type it out… that running MAY NOT be my favorite form of physical activity anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love to run - the time outdoors, the time with the dogs and that great feeling you have when you are on the home stretch - but I just don’t seem to be ticking the miles off with the same glee that I used to.

I will let you know how it all turns out - whether I am fast or slow - my goal is to run the race the best I can. I guess the competitor in me will always want both - speed and endurance - and to always do my best. (Like I tell my 7 year old daughter - winning isn’t everything - trying your best is the most important thing – but sometimes it’s hard for me to take my own advice!)

I’d love to hear from you - when you get into an exercise funk and feel like you’re doing all you can but you stop seeing the results you want - how do you keep going? How do you get over the hump (sometimes mentally) and push through to the next level?
 

 

 

by AshleyW on 12/08/2011 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: motivation, exercise, mood

About the Author

AshleyW

Ashley has worked for HMR since 2002 first as a Health Educator and now as an Account Manager and National Mentor and Trainer. Ashley has also worked as a Spinning instructor and personal trainer and has had a passion for health and fitness her entire life.

Comments (3) Post a comment
Thanks so much for your postive reponses to my blog post. It is great to try new things- like kick boxing, elliptical trainers and stair masters! There are a lot of ways to keep challenging yourself- maybe even trying some classes after the first of the year! Variety is a good thing with PA---and don't forget about strength training and stretching :)
by AshleyW on 12/14/2011
Ashley, great article - I can really relate. I used to be a runner, but also came to the conclusion that running was not for me (It is sometimes hard for a 230 pounder to put all that pounding on the joints). I have come to love the elliptical and stairmasters in the gym. I still found myself hitting a wall and found that my routine was too rigid. I did the exact same T, Th, Sat cardio workout for about 6 months. I finally decided that switching my routine up was the right thing to do. It was really hard at first because I had become so accustomed to the routine. But once I made the change and gave myself permission to try new activities it has made all the difference. I have renewed excitement about going to the gym and have seen gains in my cardiovascular fitness level. For me, I just have to continue to remember not to get into the "routine rut" that I can fall into from time to time.
by ivandrago on 12/14/2011
Hi Ashely, Many times, my "funks" mean that I'm burned out..honestly, too much of a good thing (running!)...is just too much...so I give myself permission to take a break and realize that running will always be there for me. This week, I took my first kick-boxing class, and it was AWESOME!! I would have never tried this new type of PA without taking a break from my usual routines. I know just after a few days, or a few weeks, I'll look forward to my runs again and I usually am (miraculously) much faster after some well-deserved, time-off.
by sailGirl on 12/08/2011