I have been chanting the mantra the past few days, Trust the Training. I have followed a training plan created for me by Running Hutch. I have put in the time, effort, sweat, and miles. I have run further (and faster) than I ever had before. Yet, through the struggles of training I have always overcome and come out on top… able to complete the miles, time, and workout assigned of me.
Tomorrow I will be running a personal distance long run. I will be running with hundreds of other running friends at a local 20 mile race. Many of these runners are training for CIM also. Running this race will be unlike any other race I have run. It will be an excellent training session to see how my first full marathon will be in less than a month!
I need to remember to STOP comparing myself to the other runners. My friends included. They are fast runners and I find myself comparing MY RACE to THEIR SPEEDINESS. I need to focus on MY RACE. MY PACE. My body. ME.
I need to challenge myself to see just how far and hard I can push my body for race day… all while holding back because THIS is not my end game.
I need to listen to my body. Fuel when needed. Stay hydrated. Listen to any aches and pains. Run through the boredom. Yet enjoy the journey. Basically don’t get caught up in the race day excitement, but to run a smart race.
When the going gets tough… the tough gets going. I trust my training. I trust my body. I know that I am strong. I will be proud of my accomplishment no matter how I run the race. I will trust the engineer (my training plan, partners and body).
I am going to trust the training. Embrace the suck. I paid for this pain. I will do it. I look forward to sharing with you how the race goes, as well as finding out just how strong my BRAIN is!
Good luck to you! I ran my first 20 miler last weekend and honestly, it was awful. For lots of reasons. My best advice, stay in the mile.
Good luck to you! You’ll do great. Have fun, relax, and enjoy the course. 🙂
Even after nearly two years of running, sometimes I feel like an imposter, like others are “real” runners and I’m not because they are faster or they look more like a runner than I do. Those thoughts can really mess with me, but you are so right – trust your training, and run your own race. Good luck – I’m sure you will have a great race!
😀 So proud of all that you’ve accomplished so far!
Good luck! I think you have the perfect outlook going in. I have no doubt you can do it!
You can do it! I hope you had a great run!