True Confessions of a Lazy Runner

That's right, folks, you read that right. I, Lindsey Labrecque, am a lazy runner.  I know what you're probably thinking; lazy runner is most certainly an oxymoron. Allow me to expound on this statement and surely you will agree it is quite possible to be an unmotivated runner.

Like  many runners, I have a soft spot for certain types of training runs, and I truly despise and dread some types of training that are crucial to becoming a stronger, faster, and better runner.  My specialty is the long run.  While some people might look at 16+ mile run as pure torture and dread it all week long, I welcome the challenge with a huge smile on my face.  If you think this qualifies as bragging, you are sorely mistaken.  Here's the reason I love long runs: once I've reached the 4 or 5 mile mark, I go into auto-pilot.  Once this happens, one of two things occur: my mind either goes completely blank and I power through the miles, barely noticing as they accumulate, or my mind completely dissects any problems with which I am currently struggling.  Long runs always prove to be incredibly therapeutic for me.

So, now that I've explained one of my few strengths as a runner, I'll prove I am indeed a lazy runner.  Basically, the only training run I ever look forward to is the long run.  Thankfully, it is the most important type of training when getting ready for a marathon.  That being said, one cannot improve and perform to their greatest potential on race day without taking all other aspects of training seriously.  This includes speed work, tempo runs, hill repeats, intervals, threshold runs, and cross-training.  Throw in a specialized diet, and now you have a list of all the things that typically cause me to crash and burn.  I know they are all necessary evils, but I really, really, REALLY hate running on a track.  How about those hill repeats? Ummm, yeah, who actually thinks running up a huge hill while sprinting and then repeating it 20 times is actually fun?  As for threshold runs, you have got to be kidding me.  As if I can run each mile faster than the previous one and do it for 10 miles.  Oh, let's not forget about the whole specialized diet.  Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows how much I love food.  All food. In massive quantities.  I'm also having a love affair with beer.

So, now my dirty secret is out.  During the training for my previous two marathons, I always faltered with certain aspects of my schedule.  While I followed all the scheduled mileage to a tee, I almost always got lazy during all those types of runs at which I do not excel.  Looking back (because hindsight is 20/20, of course), I see how not giving it my all during many crucial runs hurt me in the end.  Did I cross the finish line of both marathons with a smile on my face?  Hell yes, but I certainly didn't finish feeling strong.  In my mind, I could never come to terms with how or why doing speed intervals or tempos would help me run 26.2 miles.  Now I know putting more effort into every component of my training will make me a better runner and an all- around stronger person.  This time around, instead of just trying to finish, I'm setting a time goal for myself, and I know I won't be able to achieve that by only giving it my all during my long runs.  When I start to struggle or I'm tempted to give up or take the easy way out, I'll keep the following quote in mind: "No one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it" (Harvey Mackay).  It certainly will be worth it when I kick my marathon PR in the ass in October.

Holy Crap, Am I a One- hit Wonder???

        Question: what do Vanilla Ice, A-ha, Soft Cell, Marcy Playground, Baha Men, Dee Lite, and Gerardo all have in common? Answer: They are all one- hit wonders.  At this point, you may be asking yourself, "What exactly does this have this have to do with running?"   

        Well, my friends, I'm starting to fear that I may be the athletic equivalent of a one- hit wonder.  Allow me to explain myself.  I have always been active, in one way or another, whether it be hiking, running, playing soccer, working out at the gym, or dancing, to name a few.  After being an avid runner for the past 2 1/2 years,  I had (falsely) grown to believe I was relatively physically fit.  Alas, I have proven myself incorrect.  Can I run? Absolutely, and I excel at it, without a doubt.  Can I do much of anything else?  The answer, after the past few weeks of attempting to step outside of my comfort zone, is a resounding no.

        How did this come to happen?  Unfortunately, as I spent more and more time building on my running skills, I spent less and less time developing other equally important physical strengths. Until this point in time, while training for every race I have run,  I have continually made the rookie mistake of putting all of my energy into running. And more running. And more running.  I let all the other important aspects of training oneself to become a strong, well- rounded athlete fall to the wayside.  This is how my mind has worked thus far: I'm a runner, therefore, while training, running is the most important element.  Strength training?  Ummmm, I just ran 20 miles, why the hell would I need (or want) to strength train?  Cross-training?  What's the point?  I'm not going to be cycling my way through a marathon, so why waste the time?

          The past few weeks have certainly taught me a thing or two about the dangers of having tunnel vision.  Being able to make it through 26.2 miles doesn't amount to anything if I barely have the strength to make it through an hour- long boot camp class.  My point is this: if you spend too much time focused on one aspect of training, you miss the chance to improve in a multitude of ways that would, in the end, make you stronger and fitter at the very thing for which you are training.  This can be applied to any endeavor upon which one may embark in life.  Let's be honest. No one dreams of being the next Right Said Fred.  But plenty of people would love to be the next Beatles.  Which would you choose?  

"Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be." ~George Sheehan

     

The Bitter Taste of Self- Defeat

Everyone deals with it at one point or another: that overshadowing doubt that you will not be able to achieve the goal towards which you are working.  It has happened to me more often than I care to admit, in all facets of life.  Of course, stumbling now and then only serves to make one stronger and to fuel one's determination and drive, but this is usually learned in hindsight.  While in the depths of failure, it can be quite difficult to find a way out. Well, let me tell you, I am in that murky place right now, angry and diasappointed with myself for lackluster performances in my workouts for the past few days.

After pouring my heart and soul into my workouts and runs for the past six weeks, I came home from the gym today (and Friday and Saturday, come to think of it) feeling quite defeated.  I had struggled through bootcamp, feeling like a newbie all over again.  I looked over at the woman next to me, whom I shall refer to as Ms. Fitness Queen of the Universe, and she looked like she had barely broken a sweat. I, on the other hand, was clumsily slipping in a puddle of perspiration, gasping for breath, and taking way more water breaks than should be necessary for an hour- long class.  By the end, the inner dialog running through my mind was nothing more than one profanity after another.  I thought I could redeem myself on the treadmill... not so much.  I stormed out of the gym, unnecessarily glaring at everyone I passed.

I have spent much of today trying to suss out my burning anger towards my self for not living up to my own expectations.  It is pretty difficult to reach the realization that I'm not as strong and fit as I once was, but that certainly doesn't mean I won't get there at some point.  It's a long, challenging, imperfect journey, and everyday is another chance to prove to myself I am strong enough to do this.  I need to stop being my own worst enemy, and instead be my own cheerleader.  So, yes, I let myself down today, but there will be a chance for redemption tomorrow.

For anyone else who is currently having difficulty with their training, check out the following link. It will make you feel better, I promise.  
http://gonike.me/6030rVRm

Training Day One: Back in the Saddle Again

After getting the go-ahead from my doctor Thursday to start training for my next marathon, I set my sights on the Cape Cod Marathon at the end of October.  I mulled over this decision for awhile during my hiatus from training.  Part of me wanted to run the Manchester City Marathon in November to see if I could improve on last year's results.  The other part of me wanted to try a new marathon in a new state, and since one of my budding dreams is to run a 26.2- miler in all fifty states, I went with the latter.  I eagerly downloaded my training schedule and looked it over, excited to finally be able to have my long runs back and to have a goal to work towards.


I decided to officially kick off my training yesterday, and I knew my first run would be my long run for the week.  I looked at the schedule and saw a 10- miler, and suddenly, I was hit with a case of self-doubt like none other.  Six months ago, ten miles would have been a walk in the park, but after struggling with exercise in general in the months after my second marathon, my weekly mileage slowly dropped until I ended up in the hospital in January.  After being diagnosed with a bilateral pulmonary embolism, I was sidelined for all of January and part of February, and told I would have to start back at square one and (GASP!) walk.  Fast forward to May, and suddenly I am faced with the seemingly daunting task of completing my first run in the double digits since the beginning of December.  Well, everyone, I finished it.  And it was horrible and frustrating.  I found myself gasping for breath on a few occasions, as well as having to walk part of it.  I kept thinking, "Where is that damn runner's high???"  Unfortunately, it never came. I made it home, utterly worn out and feeling disappointed.


Here are my post- run thoughts: few things are more maddening than struggling to do something that once came so naturally.  On top of that, I am not the most patient person in the world, so I do not like feeling like a beginner all over again.  However, I have found that no matter how great or terrible a run goes, I always manage to learn something about myself, whether it be something I need to improve upon or something that really worked wonders during my workout.  Although I know the road to the finish line will be bumpy at times, and I will struggle along the way, it will be worth it in the end.