Training and the Treadmill Slump

It seems crazy to be talking about this at WEEK 2, but any runner knows about the peaks and valleys of training. Some weeks we are on fire, while others we lose a little steam. For me personally, where I am in my training has little to do with this. I find if I am stuck inside on the 'mill more than a day or two, I get lazy. While there are many different ways we lose motivation in training, today, indoor running is what I am focusing on.  Last week I was getting up and out early. I had gotten in the habit in the weeks before training started to head out as soon as there was enough light to be seen. There is something exciting about getting out, not knowing what you will see on your run. It was nice and cool Saturday morning when I finished my first "long run" of the training plan. 6 comfortable miles in under 70 degrees, negative splits...ahh, bliss!

Fast forward to this week. It's HOT. We are right in that time of year in the Deep South where the heat index is over 100 and happy to sit there for a while. The humidity is has reached the level I like to affectionately call "Hell's Armpit" and the idea of pushing the jogging stroller through that soup just makes me ill. I just want to extend my morning coffee and couch time by like 4 hours, and call it good.



The problem with the ol' 'mill is I get distracted. I see all things that need cleaning. I can see what my kids may be doing that they shouldn't (why are we dumping another puzzle?? Wait...is that spaghetti? WHERE did you get spaghetti??) My cat is rather fond of using my treadmill time as his bathroom time. It's so very convenient that the litter box is in the laundry room, which is right off the rec room where my treadmill is.

To get through a run indoors, I almost have to enter another dimension. Today, that dimension included disco music along with Hal Hidgen interrupting to make me feel guilty about wussing out during unfavorable weather (oh shut up, Hal.)



Sometimes I study my devotionals while running and listen to praise music. Sometimes I like to listen to classic rock and envision myself at the end of the marathon. I am a total daydreamer, and I love thinking about my strategy for "the wall" that is sure to come. I always pray when I run. Still other days I browse recipes on Pinterest and think about what all I plan to eat when I finally escape. For the most part I always enjoy the run, but the treadmill is definitely the exception. This week my short runs are only 3 miles, but everyone knows that's basically 46 in treadmill miles.

Not that I have a huge following on here, but for those reading along, tell us: What are your strategies for getting through a treadmill run? Do you prefer road, trail, or the 'mill for your mileage?

-Teacup Runner

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ NIV)

So You Want to Run a Marathon...

I have tossed around the idea of a blog for some time now. I've had them in the past for family to read and keep up with, but I was terrible at updating. A running blog seems much easier to commit to. After all, I love running, and I love to talk about running. Unlike my FB posts about running, people actually have the option to hear about it all here.

I have decided to run a marathon. I've been a runner my whole life, but only just started racing a little over a year ago. My first race was a 5k that rewarded you with endless cookies at the end.  That should tell you a lot about my running style. I love to run, and I REALLY love to eat. My goal last year was to run a half marathon. I succeeded in September with a time of 2:13:35.

My next big pace goal was a sub 2 hour half, but also two half marathons 2 weeks apart. I achieved the latter, but came seconds short of the first goal with a time of 2:00:13, and placed 3rd in my age group! I have decided to attempt a sub 2 hour again at the same race in March 2015.

My current focus is a full marathon. I've always assumed I would get around to running one, but the bug bit me this year while training for the back to back half marathons I ran in the spring. Unfortunately some health setbacks over the summer had me wavering. After about 6 months of noticing my migraines were having some new and somewhat scary symptoms, I was officially diagnosed with migraine with aura in April. I am one of the lucky ones that gets both visual AND sensory auras. Thankfully my migraines are not terribly frequent (especially during training), but the sensory auras can come on in between and are quite unnerving. In fact, my first major one mimicked a stroke, and I ended up getting an MRI done to make sure nothing serious was causing them. Thankfully, it's just me and my wacky genetics.

Add to that a chest wall strain that took about 2 months to heal, and a few other minor issues, I was ready to put the goal off another year. Feeling anxious and defeated, I felt like I would surely fail if I even tried. Then the week I was supposed to start training rolled around, and I just...did. I started training. I am on week 2, and still saving up to even register, but I want to journal my way through this awesome journey. They say you cannot train for a marathon without it changing you. What better time to start blogging?

Accountability and memories are what I hope to accomplish with this blog, as well as hopefully making people laugh and inspiring them along the way. Runners are a strange people. We have bizarre thoughts when running. We see crazy things. We discuss chafing in areas normal people don't even know exist. We learn what we can and cannot eat before, during, and after a long run. We never stop giggling when someone says "fartlek." Some of the best blogs I follow are fellow runners. I can only hope to be as uplifting and entertaining as they are.

So here we are! This is my blog. I will write about training, racing, fueling, and all kinds of random things in between. I hope you can find some inspiration for your own fitness journey. Enjoy!

-Teacup Runner

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ” (‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬ NIV)