RunFasterSarah (my running adventures)

Do you ever get the feeling that life is flying along at breakneck speed? And you’re doing everything you know how to just barely keep up?

That’s where I’ve been. Sometimes it’s where I still am. But I’m not frazzled about it anymore. In fact, I’m rather enjoying it.

Sure I’d like to feel more on top of the million and one projects I have on the go. But if I did I bet all I’d do is go and take on more, and then I’d be right back to where I am now.

In other words, my personality is such that I love being busy, love having a million things on the go, love challenging myself and I love the excitement and opportunities life is bringing my way. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve been bumping into bloggers and presenters over the past few months who claim they once used to be marathoners, putting in many miles of training (less than I do now, may I just say) and were absolutely not well. Pushing themselves too hard, they suffered various health problems and weren’t digging life. Eventually they stopped running and found yoga / hiking / swimming / yadayada and now they are full of life, health and joy. Happy ending.

So… This made me feel worried. My happy ending does not include giving up running. That’s when I realized I better start loving each and every run or it wasn’t worth it. What was I trying to prove to myself? To anyone? That I’m tough? I can run a lot?

I’ve backed off a bit. I had a schedule that said weeks 14, 15 and 16 were supposed to be 120km, 105km and 135km respectively. I did 100km, 75km and 100km. I got sick in week 15. I threw a little temper tantrum in front of my beloved telling him that I AM A NUTRITIONIST AND I WILL NOT GET SICK.

Clearly, I was wrong. Luckily I missed but 2 days and within a week I was better. But it was a reminder that I’m no superhuman (um, it’s embarrassing to admit that I needed that reminder).

If you’ve been following my runs on instagram (I log each one) you’ll see there are no longer so many early morning ones. I am putting a higher value on sleep these days. I’m not running myself into the ground. Oh, I’m still running a lot, working a lot and have my million and one projects on the go. I’m just being kinder to myself. Cause I deserve it. We all deserve it.

We all deserve to run strong and be well, to feel happy in life and not so stressed out. Because seriously, who has time to be stressed out?

Come what may, but I think this version of me has a better chance of running sub 3:21 than the stressed out, sleep deprived version.

Training — Planned Weekly Mileage:

1. Dec 30 to Jan 5 – 50km (actual – 57km)
2. Jan 6 to 12 – 60km (actual – 63km)
3. Jan 13 to 19 – 60km (actual – 63km)
4. Jan 20 to 26 – 75km (actual – 77km)
5. Jan 27 to Feb 2 – 105km (actual – 108km)
6. Feb 3 to 9 – 90km (actual – 90km)
7. Feb 10 to 16 – 75km (actual – 75km)
8. Feb 17 to 24 – 105km (actual – 100km)
9. Feb 25 to Mar 2 – 135km (actual – 135km)
10. Mar 3 to 9 – 120km (actual – 105km)
11. Mar 10 to 16 – 135km (actual 110km)
    
12. Mar 17 to 23 – 150km (actual 83km)
    
13. Mar 24 to 30 – 120km, with specific pace runs (actual 100km – no pace runs)
14. Mar 31 to Apr 6 – 120km, with specific pace runs (actual 100km, nailed my pace runs)
15. Apr 7 to 13 – 105km, with specific pace runs (actual 75km, got sick in the middle, but nailed all my pace runs)
16. Apr 14 to 20 – 135km, with specific pace runs (actual 100km, nailed my pace runs)
17. Apr 21 to 27 – 70km, with specific pace runs
18. Apr 28 to May 4 – 105km, with specific pace runs
19. May 5 to 11 – 150km, with specific pace runs
20. May 12 to 18 – 135km, with specific pace runs
21. May 19 to 25 – 120km, with specific pace runs
22. May 26 to June 1 – 150km, with specific pace runs
23. June 2 to 8 – 135km, with specific pace runs
24. June 9 to 15 – 105km, with specific pace runs
25. June 16 to 22 – 150km, with specific pace runs
26. June 23 to 29 – 120km, with specific pace runs
27. June 30 to July 6 – 105km, with specific pace runs
28. July 7 to 13 – 105km, with specific pace runs
29. July 14 to 20 – 90km, with specific pace runs
30. July 21 to 27 – final taper week