Categories: Fitness

Week 11 MCM Training: Life Happens.

First, let’s be real: I don’t agree that my training was stellar last week.

Now, let’s be kind: considering the circumstances, it wasn’t too damn bad. Last week wasn’t great.

The plan called for: a 4-miler, ~9 miles, including some Yassos, a 10-miler with 2 at marathon pace and a 20-miler.

What actually happened?

Monday: I <3 rest. And lamp.

Tuesday: Despite pretty crippling anxiety at this point, I woke up and ran 4 miles, hoping it might help even a little bit. It did not help a damn bit. The only thing this run accomplished was getting in the miles–but I’m still grateful for that.

Wednesday: Nope, no way in hell.

Thursday: Got in the planned track workout. The mileage didn’t quite add up to “nearly nine”–I ran 2 miles to warm up, 4.15 of the intervals and 2 to cool down–but it was still a decent workout that helped me head back to work ready to take things on.

Friday/Saturday: Sleep was far more important to me these days. I’m okay with that.

Sunday: I got my 20 in! It wasn’t the best run ever, but it wasn’t the worst run ever. I’m just happy I did it.

So…yeah. Just when I was supposed to have one of my peak weeks, and hit one of my first 40+ miles weeks, I didn’t. But life happens, and LIFE HAPPENED last week. Marine Corps is in just under 6 weeks, so I have just about 3 weeks to go before I start tapering. (When the hell did THAT happen?) I’m going to make the best of it.

How do you adjust your training plan when life gets in the way? At what point do you reassess your goals? (I don’t think I’m ready to reassess just yet, just curious.)

Theodora Blanchfield

View Comments

  • My goal was to heartily at my time from my first marathon (last year). I think I was on track for it, then I got injured, took a few days off, went to the doctor, and eased back. I can run now with relatively few complaints, but I'm slower this year (being stressed at work and gaining weight instead of losing weight may have contributed to that). I kind of gradually adjusted my goals. Now I have my ultimate goal - to finish - and a more realistic time goal to just PR, even if it's by a minute. :)
    I think youre still good to reach your goals - no need for adjustment just yet.

  • You know what? Life DOES happen! Proud of you for taking care of yourself and getting help. An proud of you for carrying on with your training!!

  • I had the same thing happen with my half training the last two weeks. It's awesome though that you did log a ton of miles ... I logged 5 one week haha.

    Keep up the good work ... you're going to rock the MCM!

  • Don't beat yourself up about last week. Think about how you'd have written this post if you had the flu or something - you probably wouldn't feel like life got in the way, you'd realize you were sick and had to rest to get better. Your mental health is just as important and it also takes some rest to get it better :) Be proud of what you got in! You did a great job, lady! :)

  • This year I have been pretty spot on with my training, but last year I had a foot injury that kept me off my feet for a week, my coach reminded me that I had a good base to begin with, I had already put in 12 hard weeks so the one week off was not going to make or break me, and you now what, he was right! So my thoughts are to not worry! You have this in the bag!!

  • Don't beat yourself up over it because a) it won't make a difference and b) you can't change the past. Take your training a day at a time.

  • Training plans are built with a little cushion. A few workouts here or there aren't going to make or break anything. Just try to do the best you can going forward in these last peak weeks before tapering.

  • I am down to less than 5 weeks until Columbus and so I have 2 more solid weeks before tapering. I am getting nervous.

    Relating to your "stellar" training? I also received stellar this past week from daily mile and I slammed in 47 miles including a 20 on Sunday. I am not sure how that works...

  • Major props to you. It's hard to deal with anxiety and depression. Been there, still doing that. I deal with it by crawling into bed. At least you're still getting out there and moving your butt. Yay you!!!

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