Of Mice and Marathons

Hang in there man. Find a way for it to be fun. I'll be the first to say that training hard and running fast can definitely be a lot of fun. Its challenging and rewarding and it feels good. But don't let it drag you down when things aren't clicking the way you want them to. Not to be critical - but you are your own harshest critic. Which can be very good at times, because you have that strong internal drive... but as you know it can also be a vicious cycle when it starts going the other way.

Worst case scenario, you just say hell with it, do a Ragnar, and check that off the Holy Trinity of distance running (Boston, Ragnar, 100 miler).

I think it's also pretty easy to dig yourself into a hole during summer, even when it doesn't seem like you're training that hard. I've been disappointed lately in how long it takes my legs to come back to me, especially when it seems like I haven't been doing all that much...heat just amplifies it so much, I think.

Carbs help too. I also get the weak/wobbly leg feeling too, which is when I decide to hit an Asian buffet at lunch, by myself, and sadly gorge more than any human should....mostly on rice and pad Thai. The feeling usually goes away 6 hours later. It's replaced by a different feeling, but that's another topic.

Thanks, guys. Too many factors to isolate perhaps. I've been thinking today "at least I'm not injured." I'll try to go out in the morning. I think I figured out today that the running isn't the problem (I might be tired a few quarts down). I'm not doing anything that different, which is not to say that training can hit you differently at different times.

I will never run 100 miles (in one race). Likely not even 50, but I read a piece on Rob Krar and it lightened my mood today. I've also been following Max King on Strava. Ultra runners do some weird stuff! I like to play on the trails as I did on Saturday (two hours of puddle jumping and pouring rain). They are good for shade and to keep the heart rate low on recovery runs, but they won't be my main focus. Maybe when I am old and more Zen.

I think I'm good on carbs, Joe (but it did feel like low blood sugar). I've been snacking on cereal all day. Sadly my lunches are far less glorious than Asian buffet. Peanut butter, banana, and granola sandwich today, usually an egg on toast with cheese and a small green salad. I can eat my weight in Pad Thai though. That's actually my pre-marathon meal (or some Thai dish like basil fried rice or green curry). It's usually a step up in quality from what I imagine the buffet versions would do :-)

Almost everyone I know is struggling right now, Jason (myself certainly included). That's not to say there isn't something specific your body needs to work through. Just thinking it is a challenging time, and you will come through it.

Thanks, Drew.