So next week I embark on the beginning of my marathon training. I am absolutely terrified. I'm afraid I won't train well enough, or that I'll injure myself. I think I am more terrified of the training itself than the actual marathon. I shouldn't be. I have researched different plans, tweaked mine until it felt comfortable to me, so the plan itself is more than doable.
So what scares me? I think it's more that I won't stay on track. My motivation levels have been very low lately, and I've running no more than once a week for the past few weeks. And forget cross training, if I can get myself to do that more than two times in a month, it's amazing. I've tried challenges, accountability partners, etc., but I can't keep myself motivated.
This is going to be the hardest training plan so far for me, so I need to keep motivated to make sure I stay on track, and can finish the marathon strong. So now I'm reaching out to you all for help - give me ideas on how you all stay motivated. I'm open to all suggestions, so go!!!!!
Join the gym. I know you are going to say you dont want to pay for it but maybe the $ alone will motivate you :) Gyms really arent very expensive. Group fitness classes will help you change up your workouts with something new, instructors can push you harder than you can yourself, especially if you are unmotivated already. You arent at.home tempted to relax instead. More motivation in cross training will spill over to running.
ReplyDeleteHearing motivational words helps pump you up but you need to feel\believe something is worth doing. Sounds like youre in a rut or maybe doing too much its burning you out. Not that the gym is the answer ~ maybe just group fitness thrown in - running group perhaps? :)
Good ideas :) Thanks!!!!
DeleteGood luck! I'm in the middle of training for my second marathon right now, and I'm feeling a little bit burned out. After this week's long run I get a back off week, which really really helps. Make sure to schedule a few of those in! A lot of plans do anyway. I go two weeks push distance, one week back off. Just last night I wrote a blog post on my motivation and keeping up with marathon training!
ReplyDeletethanks, this one does do that :) I'll go check your blog out :D
DeleteJeff Galloway's plan is the best for a first marathon. It consists of 2 30-minute runs during the week and one long run on the weekend. You can handle 30 minutes, right? It's about the same as an episode of Modern Family. I am injury prone and I used it and it was great. The long runs use the run-walk-run method. I did 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking, and it was very helpful on the really long runs. I only did 1 20-miler, and I was fine during the marathon. For cross training, all I did was the Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred video. I had an awesome 1st marathon experience and finished with a decent 4:42. Good luck...oh, and you might want to check out my blog post today at Mom vs. Marathon. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice - I, too, love 30 day shred :) I'll check out your blog post :)
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