First post back for Marathon #2!!

When I started this blog, I really had every intention of keeping up with it.  Then graduate school got serious, I got a second job, and started making excuses.  I have been running. And I have been writing. Jesus, I’ve been writing a lot- just not about running. But now with my second marathon approaching in only 9 days, I feel the sudden surge of creative energy necessary to write something that isn’t assigned or required of me.

I’m also freaking out, and while running is usually what makes me feel better about life in general- what I’m freaking out about is directly related to running so hopefully venting it here will help.

In the last couple weeks leading up to my first marathon, the 2010 Chicago marathon, my body decided to seek revenge for the intense transition from casual jogger to serious marathon trainer that I had forced upon it over the course of 6 short months.  As soon as I completed my 20 miler and started tapering, my immune system seemed to shut down. I got a horrible cold, everything hurt, and my confidence level went down the toilet.  It made me feel a little better when I went to the local specialized running store, Fleet Feet, to pick up some Gu and talked to one of the employees about my disheartening health.  How can I get sick now?? I pleaded to the sprightly young man who looked ready for an ultra that very second. He told me not to worry- that getting sick during your taper is perfectly normal and rather common.  Your body takes advantage of the fact that you haven’t let yourself rest in so long.  Its been so regularly pushed to the limit over the previous months, that the sudden drop in physical activity signals recovery, and a crash in energy.

Well now I know, but it still doesn’t make me feel better this time around.  I’m 9 days away from my second marathon and yesterday I found myself barely able to squeeze 5 miles out of my aching legs. Suddenly I’m exhausted, my knee is acting up, and my back is killing me. What gives?? Quite frankly, I don’t care if its normal. I still don’t like it one bit. I want to feel “peaked” right now. I want to feel ready to take on the world- to run 26.2 freaking miles! And I really just feel like climbing under the covers and taking a nap.

This is where I have to keep reminding myself of one monumental piece of advice offered by my seasoned marathoner uncle-  trust your training. I incorporated not one, but two twenty milers this time around, and significantly increased my weekly mileage as compared to last summer.  I completed my second 20 miler without a single walking break- something I never could have done before October. I incorporated hills and I even cross trained. I did everything I could do in the limited amount of free time allowed between classes, free lance writing and two jobs. I am ready, and even if I did crawl under the covers for the next 9 days, I’d still be able to run a marathon on May 2nd.

I’m ready. I just wish my body would believe me.