I’m in the final two weeks of my marathon training, and as marathon training plans suggest, I have been tapering, meaning, I am not running nearly as much as I have been up to this point in my training. A few different things are happening—and they are all mind games of a sort.
I definitely think she’s dealing with some nasty mindgames!
- I’m not spending as much time training, so I don’t have as much to do. I’m not really bored, but I can see how some people might feel a little boredom during this point.
- I’ve noticed that I’ve lost the edge to my mental focus. This is something that I’m working on now, even as I write this post.
- A little fear has stepped in as I’ve been tapering. It feels strange not to go all out right up to the point of the event. I keep wondering if with this break in my hard core training if I will “lose” my fitness.
Boredom During Taper Week?
Number one is to be expected. Certainly, as we lessen the amount of time we spend on the playground, we are likely to wonder what to do with our time. My suggestion? Well, it’s something I haven’t done as much as I wanted to do, and that is to work on number two: focus. I could (and now will) spend some time doing visual imagery for the event so I can “see” myself finishing, and finishing strongly. My thought: if you aren’t spending time training your body, then you can use that time to train your mind.
I believe having a marathon mentality means never losing sight of your goal. I’m not suggesting that we obsess over our goal, but if we notice that our focus for finishing is slipping, we need to do what we need to do to keep it from slipping entirely out of sight. If you let it slip out of sight, that’s when you are more likely to face failure, be tempted to quit or give up, or at the very least, you will be more likely to endure a mighty struggle. So with the extra time we have during taper week, I suggest that you, I we spend that time focusing.
Fear During Taper Week?
Number three is something that I’ve never experienced before. In any competition or show I’ve been involved in, whether it was a school play, a recital, an interview or anything else, I practiced hard right up to the bitter end. There was no taking breaks. Taper time is the exact opposite of this. Run less right before the event? Really? Aren’t I likely to forget how to run that much?
Trust the Training
Blind athletes form a pyramid: totally trusting the training!!
I know that there are mighty good reasons for this, but my mind is having a hard time understanding this. And that’s where “trust the training” is coming into play for me. I have heard this said before, “trust the training,” but I’ve never had to experience it firsthand. My head wants to go out this week and run another 20+ miler just so I know I can do it. But my training plan says NOT to do that. Apparently, my body needs a rest or something before the big event so that I can perform optimally at the event. And so this is what I’m doing. I’m trusting the training.
It Takes a Little Faith
The rest and restoration and energy stores that are supposed to be happening to my body during these two weeks are things that I can’t see. There is not a whole lot I can do, besides eating, drinking and resting properly to aid this process. While I have faith in the power of healthy living to extend our lives and the quality thereof, I’ve never had to have faith in the application of healthy living for a compressed period of time to do what I want it to do. But this is what I’m doing now; I’m stepping out on faith and in trust of what the professionals before me have found that works; and so I am resting. Resting before the race. Resting before the battle. And I’m trusting the training.
I expected that marathon training would take commitment, dedication and a heck of a lot of hard work and effort. I didn’t know it would take faith.
* Images used, licensed via public domain. Found on the Library of Congress Photostream on Flickr
Have faith my friend. You have done the work and the training. You are ready for this. I have faith in you. Focus on having no doubts. I am here cheering you on. OK Now for the loud cheering… YOU GO GIRL!!!!!
Hi Cheryl! Thanks so much! So much so much! You have been with me through this training and I appreciate it so much.
I see this principle having application in so many areas of life. Pondering…. And, of course, cheering you on as Geek Girl has said!
Oh yes, you are so right Janelle. I think a lot of what I write applies to so much more. Trust the training . . . it makes me think of that verse in the Bible that says, what you have raised your children in they will return to.
Faith is a very big word. It is so easy to say but not so easy to apply. One thing I do know is that it’s in you to do what you’ve set out to do. I also know that in the end, when you’ve been successful with your goal of running a marathon, you will look back and see what you may not have seen before. These are life lessons your learning. They will be invaluable to you in the future. Hugs to you.
Oh, and I’ve already been seeing what I haven’t seen before. As I’ve been writing about this marathon journey with my marathon mentality posts, I have learned so much. Thank you also, Susan, for being with me through this journey.
Sometimes it is difficult to have faith but if you do you will be a winner………..
Wow, only two weeks?!? I think schools puts us in the habit of constantly “cramming” for things so it definitely feels weird when we’re supposed to relax before the big tests. However, in terms of running, I know I always feel great when I’ve taken a few weeks ago and run again… seems like my energy level is always highest then.
Cramming–the thing is, I haven’t been cramming, since I’ve been “studying” i.e. training all along. That’s the difference here I believe. I hope the same happens to me–that the time I’ve taken to run less will make me more energetic on the day of the event. Thanks Dan!!
You’ve come so far. It will be amazing to see what you write after the race as you look back to this post.
And Jeri, I’ve been writing an ebook about marathon mentality already.
Hope you will check it out when it’s finished!!
Not sure if my other comment went through since it’s telling me I’m submitting duplicate content… in any case good luck and it will be interesting to see how your mindset post-marathon compares to this pre-marathon post.
Hi!!! I just found your blog (Via linked in, via facebook haha) and I’m so glad I did! I LOVE it!!! This is such a great message. I’m currently training for my first half marathon so I know exactly what you’re talking about !
Thanks Liz!! I’ve been quiet this week due to an internet outage, but I hope you come back for more. Good luck on your first half marathon!! I know you will love the experience!!
Sit back, relax, pamper yourself, read a good book 8-). All the best for the run. Good luck and keep us posted.
Haha! I’ve been doing just that, Lubna, but mostly because my internet service was broken!! I’ve been utterly disconnected this whole last week and have been forced to relax!!
Mental acuity is a good result from working a 40 + hour week. Haahaha that and a paycheck…ane goals are important.
Yes, there always is the necessity of working. Haha! Darn paycheck.
It’s under two weeks until the Chicago Marathon and I’m resting. Turns out my sore hips were actually a strained gluteal muscle. Yes, a strained butt. The doctor said it’s a minor problem and I’ll be fine for the race. I just need to make sure I don’t make it worse and give it some time to heal now so I can go into the marathon as healthy as possible. I love running and exercising, so resting is hard for me. Ugh!