Seeking Encouragement

154 Days to Race

I’m on schedule and doing okay, but I’m having trouble with the mental aspects of training for a marathon. Today I ran outside—at the hottest part of the day. I know I’m crazy for doing that—especially given that I had a heat stroke when I was fifteen and am now supposedly more likely to have them. But I did it anyway. It wasn’t that hot for Texas. Well, maybe it was hot (85 degrees) but not humid and there was a breeze so it didn’t feel that bad. I know that later in the summer I’ll have to be running in near 100 degree weather with near 100% humidity. I have to adjust.

ANYWAY, I felt okay physically during the three mile run. It took a bit longer than usual to settle into it, though. I’m usually feeling settled after about a quarter mile. Today it took about a mile. I just couldn’t shut off my brain! I kept asking myself why I was doing this. I kept thinking that there was no way I’d be able to do it. I’ll never be able to run a marathon. I should just quit and go home to sit on the couch.

I fought it and kept going and I’m proud of myself for that, but it bothers me that it happened at all. I’ve done more in the last year than I ever thought I’d be able to do. A marathon is the next in a line of natural progression. My brain knows I can do it. It is logical. My heart, however. . . It needs some convincing.