1 month of consistent Vermont City Marathon training, and look where your feet have taken you! It’s pretty incredible to think about how many miles you’ve traveled, and how much your body has adapted, grown and experienced in this short period of time.
I set out on my 10 mile long run this past Saturday feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It’s a big milestone, first double digit long run…goodbye single digits! As I had mentioned in my last post, this was the longest distance that I’d run before and let me tell you, it was night and day. With consistent training, proper nutrition and hydration, Clif blocks, and the right gear I shaved off 30 minutes from my time 2 years ago!
However, on the other side of the excitement of the exciting milestone, I began to settle into my active recovery week and felt a dip in my motivation. Thus, the inspiration for this blog post. How do you as James Brown sings, “Get Up Offa That Thing!” when it’s cold, you’re tired, and you’ve got a long road ahead of you?!
I recently went to a yoga class at Sangha North where the instructor Abi said, “The poses we avoid the most will teach us the most”. Check in with yourself; while living our busy lives, training can either feel like it’s taking over our lives or the opposite and you’re finding it difficult to make time.
So here we go. With that being said, here are 6 personal pointers to put to the test help you "Get Up Offa That Thing!":
1. Set a routine
Do you like to work out in the morning? If so lay out your layers and shoes the night before so you feel mentally and physically prepared for the adventure ahead.
2. Take advantage of your cross training days
Running is clearly a mutual passion, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Mix in other workouts and adventures such as skiing, biking, ab circuits, a yoga class or even a push-up contest with a friend. Keep things wild and interesting!
3. Talk to your friends
Catch up with your friends and fellow runners and outdoor enthusiasts! Share with them what you’re struggling with, what you’re excited about, and hear what they have to say. Getting an outside perspective is refreshing and recharging because it can often validate your experience and remind you that you’re not the only one struggling.
4. Listen to your body
Are you feeling pains in your feet, joints, or back? Maybe you’ve worn out your shoes with all of the miles run and your shoes are no longer able to properly support you. We recommend rewarding yourself with a new pair of shoes every 350-500 miles. Come on in to our run center and one of your resident shoe-fit experts can help you to find the shoe that works best for you.
5. Set intentions
It’s a lot easier to think about what you’re not doing well and what you’re having a hard time with than it is to take a second and recognize what it is you’re doing well and how/why you’re thriving right now. Make a list and write down 5 ways you’ve noticed your body and mind has become stronger, and all of the little things you’ve accomplished along the way. On the other side write down 5 goals: Set your intentions while acknowledging your growth.
You’re one month in, you’ve felt things, you’ve seen things, and you’re continuing to move and to dedicate time for yourself. That is beyond incredible. Try dedicating your next run to thinking about all that you’ve accomplished. Why did you sign up for the marathon? What’s motivating you? What is it that is pushing you to continue to get out there?
Take the time to properly celebrate yourself!
You’re moving your body 26.2 miles. That’s outrageous!
You are strong + you got this.
- Emily Hoffman,
Skirack Run Specialist
Click here to learn more about Emily.
Click here for more blog posts on training for the Vermont City Marathon
Photo Captions:
Photo Header: Emily runs the Burlington Bike Path on a training run.
Photo 1: Emily takes a break to reflect on how far she has come from her marathon training run, along Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont.
