It happens. You have the best training plan ever and for some reason or another, you fall off. Perhaps it's an injury, perhaps it's just being sick, perhaps it's other things that life tosses your way. But don't fret. Not yet at least. First, let's talk.I have gone through many training plans, each one I have developed for myself taking what is suggested and trying to factor in aspects of my life to make the plan more doable. Call my the training plan juggling master. And even though I have consistently PR'd on many races, and my goal race - the marathon, I think too much juggling may introduce a weakness. An element that may be holding me back from realizing my big dreams.
But there is a catch. Too much rigidity isn't good either. Don't run what's on the plan just because it is there and overlook other factors that might be more important. And as a mom, sometimes the more important factors may be my family. I juggle. I still do. But in all reality, up until now I am still hitting my training goals.
Until this week. I may flop. And even though last night I did my calculations and realized if I ran x today, tomorow, and Sunday I could reach my weekly and monthly mileage goals. But that would be sandwiching a longer run with longer runs than usual. Sure I can do that! Right?
But first ask, why am I in this boat? Simply because on Wednesday I ran just a mile (my legs were off) and I fell short a mile yesterday (I needed to get to work). I am at a deficet and don't all runners just want to tack on those missed miles and make them up! Makes sense, right?
Not necessarily. Especially if you really factor in why you are not hitting your training. Personally, right now I am battling a cough and ear infection and my daily routine is all wacky with taking darling daughter to swim two afternoons a week. However, the biggest factor is my body is fighting another battle and energy needs to go there. It is okay. I know what is going on. I know how this battle started. It is a good one. I will be better at the end but right now, I need to give my body time to heal from the inside out. I don't need to be tacking on miles to my training plan to make up missed miles. I will be fine.
The "I'm serious" squint
Keep your eyes on the goal.My goal: To break a 4:20 marathon. With that said, I understand the desire to hit the numbers, to run the miles, to train my heart out so I will be ready. Thing is, I could push through it and be okay trying to make up miles. Maybe. But is it a risk worth taking? Some of you may be saying yes.
What if not letting my body heal costs me more than just one below target week? What if it opens me to injury and an onslaught of missed performance? Is that worth it? I can see you all saying no now.
As runners we tend to be really good at pushing ourselves. Running through the tough. We are strong. But we can be foolish too.
Yes, I want a 40+ mile week, yes I want 175 miles in June, no I may not hit those numbers. But I will run tomorrow on running streak day 548. I want to run long. I may. I may not. I will see how my body feels after one more sleep.
Which brings me back to my first question - what to do when you fall off your training plan? Be smart. Don't kick yourself in the butt. Don't foolishly tack on miles to make up missed miles. Look at where you are and where you want to go. Because deep down I know those miles I miss this week won't negatively impact my performance come race day in September. I have time. I have a year long training plan so of course I will have missed weeks. But if you are constantly falling short week after week, I say it is time to really reevalulate where you are, where you want to go, and how to get there best!
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for BLT's!
Daily Affirmation: I will break a 4:20 marathon!
