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The Run That Wasn't

Today's run was supposed to be a long run - 13 miles actually. And when I started out, I had talked myself into doing it. Although when I got up today, I said that I wasn't going to get a long run in this weekend.

I'm tired, not over-trained tired, but just tired. First of all, I'm dieting. I know. I know. Dieting and marathon training are not a good combination. As I look over my food log this week, no only have I cut my calories, but I'm not even hitting my 'target' carbs for the diet. So that's one possible solution to my lack of energy.

And this week, I got a sore throat. The sore throat comes and goes. One minute I'm sneezing. The next minute I am fine other than I'm tired. I am just really lacking energy. I suspect it is a combination of my diet lately plus possibly a little cold or something.

But I started off today with good intentions. It was cold, but I was committed to get this run done. It took me over 10 minutes to get dressed for this run with all of my layers. Of course I was going to try itAt about half a mile, I considered going home. But I told myself that I certainly was not going to quit and to keep going. At 2.5 miles, I realized I was no longer running but shuffling. Could I push through and get my 13 miles? Probably? Would it be a smart decision? Probably not... so I turned around. I had lost my 'form' and the last thing I needed was to risk an injury out of stubbornness.

So today's long run turned into a 4 mile run. I felt a little defeated, but I also realized you have to listen to your body. Yes, training plans are important. And it's best to try to follow them as much as possible. But it isn't worth risking injury simply to get a scheduled run in.

Sometimes you have to rest and regroup. Sometimes it's best to skip a scheduled run and get back on schedule the next week. Yes, I know that I only have 10 weeks until my Marathon. But I told myself, that I have time to get my long runs in. Take what I learned from today by listening to my body.

So I didn't 'quit' today. I listened. And sometimes that's more important than completing a scheduled run.


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