Marathon Training Week 11

I have made it over the half way mark in my training!  Its hard to believe I have been sticking to this training schedule for that long.  The time has gone by quickly, and I know the race (1/9/11)will be here before I know it.  I am getting a bit anxious as I look at my training plan for the remainder of the weeks and see really large numbers for my long runs.  Beginning this Saturday, I will be running distances I have never run before.  I try not to think too much about it, but these are LONG RUNS and are only going to get longer.

This weekend I am scheduled to run 14 miles! In two weeks, 16 miles, 2 weeks later 18 and then another 2 weeks 20.  I will run 8 miles on the in between weeks.  That is now my new low number.  Believe me that is strange to write, because 8 miles has never been low for me before. The number of miles is overwhelming.  I used to run a total of 12 a week before, now I am running more than that in one day!  I worry that I won't be able to do it, or that I might get injured or...   I am very good at worrying - I have had years of practice. I know worrying doesn't change a thing, so I try not to let it consume me.

I have been diligent with my training, have stuck to the plan and have only missed 1 day due to traveling out of state.  My life pretty much revolves around training.  I am tired most days due to my early start to run before work, and plan my weeks around my runs. If I am going to commit to something I follow all the rules, almost to a fault.  I don't cut myself any slack.  My hope is that if I follow this plan I will be able to run the race, I don't want to take any chances and veer from the path, just in case.

I am happy about the progress I have made.  My second half marathon, was much easier than the first and I recovered faster too. Intellectually, I know that I have done the work to prepare me for these long runs it's just the anticipation of it all that is killing me.  So I will go out this weekend and knock out 14 miles and wonder why I was so worried.

Happy Running!