My running is improving. Oddly enough I'm getting slower though. So although I'm now able to run 26kms without dying, my pace is slowing. (makes sense). With the increase in distance, and the numbers of miles I am logging, my body is continuously being taxed. This marathon training is certainly not for the week in mind or body.
After tomorrow's 29km run, I am considering taking a week off completely. I think my body needs a moment to recover. I've tried to increase my protein and watch my diet, but my leg muscles are sore after a 10km run and I don't think that is right. 10km used to feel great. Now it is becoming painful near the end. I think a week will help.
If you are ever considering training for this distance please keep a couple things in mind.
1) running a marathon is taxing on the body. It is not for 'fitness' and weight loss. In fact, you may gain weight while training. Running 5k's and weight training will drop your weight faster. You don't have to believe me...but it is true.
2) Only crazy people run this much ;)
3) It is not normal to head out for a run, have your family wave at you from the van on their way to church, and then wave at you again (because your still running) as they come home. Just..NOT...O.K.
4) Mental fatigue is real. I've been doing some research on stress induced training and how it relates to BCAA's (branch chain amino acids) and Serotonin (mood chemical). Interesting. I used to run to stay sane (literally). I run for the endorphins and the anti stress properties they have. BUT I actually think training for this marathon is dipping me into a depression because now I'm stressing it. I wonder if I had a blood test if my Cortisol levels would be elevated. I'm now wondering if this mental depression is affecting my physical body. To quote an annoying commercial " Depression hurts". Hmmm...
Happy Running (5 km's that is)
Alyson
2 comments:
You are doing awesome with your training. Taking a break makes sense to give your muscles and mind a rest. And as annoying as that commercial is... depression really does hurt. But we're stonger and smarter than it;)
I had my Cortisol levels checked and talk about scary....and I am not running a marathon...unless you call life that!!! Which I guess in some ways, it can be.
Taking a break is always good for the body and the soul. You have been doing this long enough to know when you need that break. Trust your gut on this.
and totally as an aside: I have started adding running to my yoga practice and LOVING it.. I get the love of that now. I run everyday-nothing crazy. I am talking 30 minutes, but it really does do something to this brain of mine....Interesting though I was doing this Jillian Michaels DVD in the morning as I thought I should shake things up from my usual yoga practice, and I WAS INSANE...LITERALLY. I was irritable and grumpy and would yell at the kids for nothing and our mornings were a nightmare...when I talked to my doctor, she actually said that bc I have too much dopamine in my brain and my cortisol levels are crazy, that intensity of a workout only added fuel to the fire and the reason yoga works is that it counteracts that extra dopamine and cortisol... so even with running, I only do that during my lunch at work...My doctor says I need things to bring me down (not like depression down), but down from the Type A overdrive my body kicked itself into..
I know I am writing a novel here, but just really confirming what you are saying....your body reacts to all these things-I know you know that-and so do I, but somehow having my doctor tell me that, I was able to let go of that stupid Jillian DVD (which I hated anyway) and now my mornings....and more importantly, the boys mornings are so so much better....and I just feel better all around!!
Wow, the effects of exercise on hormones....crazy!!
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