Strength & Flexibility

[Apologies that my posting schedule’s been off lately–my schedule’s been a little different in general–but I promise to be back to a more normal schedule soon.]

Marathon training requires a good deal of strength and flexibility–both mental and physical.

Mentally, you need to be strong enough to endure sacrificing nights out, some sleep and long hours training solo. You need to have faith that yes, you will be able to complete this crazy feat that most people will never even attempt. You will undoubtedly face adversity during the course of training, and you need to be both strong enough to believe that you will, indeed, bounce back, and flexible enough to alter your plan if necessary and listen to your body, your schedule and other needs in life.

Physically, obviously, you need to be able to be strong enough to handle these workouts, and you need to stay physically flexible so your poor muscles don’t snap.

Last night, I worked out too late and couldn’t fall asleep until after 1. I snoozed through my run this morning because I knew my body needed more sleep to recover from this weekend and not being able to sleep last night.

But hey, I had plenty of time last night to make overnight oats in a jar.

I had plans to attend a networking function tonight, but I got home too late from work to attend. I had another four-miler on my plan, but I also had a pounding headache. I laid in bed for a few minutes, trying to decide whether to scrap a workout altogether.

I’m at the point of marathon training I’m really starting to enjoy, but it’s also the point where it’s starting to take a toll on me. My muscles are exhausted and sore from the mileage I’m putting them through week after week. I decided to move my four-mile run until tomorrow and do some strengthening and stretching tonight instead. I did the strength workout my running coach gave me and then got down with my foam roller. My legs were literally shaking. Oops. Sorry, legs. We’ll spend some more time with the foam roller, I promise.

Dinner was another soba noodle stir-fry, but tonight’s added a little curry powder for a kick.

How are you flexible in your training? (Or are you?)