“At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread, or wine, a fine marriage, or air. It is also a free pass to friendship.”
~ Benjamin Cheever, Strides

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Let's Hear it for Honesty

Mostly, I'm a very positive person.  I choose to look at things with a smile and solve problems rather than create them.  One of the things that was so distressing when I lost my sister, and then my mom, was that it took that positive aspect of my personality away for a time.  Yes, I am also rather cynical, don't ask how those two things go together.  I'm also a realist and a dreamer.  I know, I'm confusing.  LOL.
Sometimes, the focus on the positive can be a bad thing.  I have been publicly focusing on all the positives on my training, and the weekly updates where I'm still losing weight, and logging almost all my running miles make that easy to do.  (Although I did I have a hiccup with the positive with my knee injury and my bronchitis).  Let's be honest though, when it comes to the mountain training, I'm terrified that I am WAY, WAY, WAY behind.  
Because this is the LEAST of my mountain worries.
As described on the RMI site, "Mountaineering is considered a tough endurance sport, and the importance of good conditioning cannot be overstated. Physical conditioning is the single most important way you can help to ensure a safe and successful expedition, and it is imperative that you undertake a rigorous conditioning program prior to your trip and arrive in top physical shape."


My knee injury required me to take a break from squats and lunges during my strength training.  I was also supposed to limit the number of stairs I did.  ALL OF THESE THINGS are the things I'm supposed to be doing MORE of for the mountain training.  I did add some squats and side lunges back in at the end of last week though.
Climbing this will require more than just a FEW squats though.
You may say - it's okay - you still have your cardio going - look at all those runs.  Honest fears?  I took a week off to ski, came back to a "March heat wave" and promptly went down with bronchitis.  In addition, my first of two Spring half marathons is 12 days away.  I know that I should trust my training, but with the ski break and now bronchitis, I'm getting paranoid about skipping a couple of runs at the beginning of this week to let my lungs heal.  Stupid, I know.  Two skipped runs will not define my race.
Rather all the runs outside in this should be the determining factor...
Bottom line though, with the mountain climbing, I need to do be doing more endurance type of workouts.  Long, steady, weight-carrying workouts.  I also need to lose 20-30 more lbs.  The mountain climb is just over 3 months away.  I. Am. Officially. Worried.
Don't mess with mommy when she's worried!
I keep telling myself that I must let my lungs heal, or I'll be sidelined for even longer.  That being said, during my walk today - my slow walking counts as resting - I was planning my first stroller run for tomorrow morning.  In my defense, I am only planning 2-3 miles, and that assumes my lungs keep feeling better.  I also will be strength training with my trainer again tomorrow.  Thursday, I need to get on the stair climber and more.


Ok.  I feel better now that I was honest about my mountain climbing fitness fears.  My lungs need to heal NOW.


Have you ever psyched yourself out about your training?

Do you ever feel like you aren't training enough???  How do you balance the fears and the training?
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    I thought psyching myself out was part of my training?! LOL

    But seriously, I think some level of concern is a good thing... That fear is what motivates us to keep going, to keep pushing ourselves. The concern of not being prepared pushes us to make sure we are, if that makes sense.

    That said, it is important to make sure your lungs are ready to get back to the training. Take it slowly and trust your body :) Good luck!

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    1. MandyMarch 21, 2012 at 12:10 PM

      "I thought psyching myself out was part of my training?! LOL" I KNEW IT!

      Delete
  2. TerzahMarch 20, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    When I get sick mid-training, I absolutely psych myself out--yes yes yes. How do I get through it? I try to re-evaluate my goals and be honest with myself. So I might not PR. Or this won't be the marathon where I qualify for Boston. But maybe I can accomplish something else that will later help me do those things.....

    I do think you being scared now will mean that in the end you're more prepared than you expect. And just speaking as someone who has done some mountain stuff (not as much recently as I'd like....), I think the cardio is more important than lunges. I've never done any leg strengthening for mountain stuff--maybe I should have--but I've always made it and felt good about it.

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    Replies
    1. MandyMarch 21, 2012 at 12:11 PM

      Thank you! That actually makes me feel a lot better!

      Delete
  3. SarahMarch 20, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Oh boy, you described me perfectly! Can I copy and paste the beginning of your blog and put it in my blog?

    In all reality you are training smart and taking care of your body. Wish I could say the same about me, but I can't! You have three months and you own where you are with your training. Keep at it and remember that we are human and will have obstacles in our training!!! I admire your dedication and your willingness to share your struggles! Being realistic is what will win the race, so to speak! Take care of yourself and I expect some Mandy time on the trails soon :)

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    1. MandyMarch 21, 2012 at 12:11 PM

      Ha! This is why we get along so well! I hope to be able to join the group again tomorrow night!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMarch 21, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    Hahaha, did you notice the LeD photobomb in that last picture? I started cracking up when I saw it! Anyways, you can't run a half marathon if you don't let yourself heal. I didn't learn that lesson the way I should have and I paid for it. Also, I think you will do great in 12 days!

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    1. MandyMarch 21, 2012 at 12:12 PM

      I did! LOL! Funny that we both saw that!
      I listened - and didn't run this morning.

      Delete
  5. LauraMarch 21, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    Oh yes, I can get myself really worked up and worried, too. You've put in a lot of work so far... trust your body. Continue to do what you can as you feel better. You don't have to break any records, but you'll get there!

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  6. SaraMarch 26, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    I know exactly how you feel. I felt this way going into the Goofy. It's scary taking on such a challenging, maybe-once-in-a-lifetime goal. You're giving it your all, that is what matters. And it will matter on that climb too, regardless of what the outcome is. Don't doubt yourself!

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Comments pretty much make my day - so thank you for yours!

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