Playing nice in the sandbox

It’s so interesting how one training cycle can differ so greatly from another.  Take last Summer:  I was ON.FIRE!  For a good chunk of my training for Cape Cod Marathon, I felt like I had found a new gear.  Each run felt better than the last and I felt a new confidence. I did experience my humbling moment (or maybe it was more like a few weeks) of shin splints that reminded me of my continued human status, but for the most part, it was a fantastic Fall training.

Boston is what...12 long runs away?  Ruh Roh.

I do have 2 legitimate reasons for feeling a little behind on my training – if not physically, definitely mentally. 

1)   The hernia surgery.  I was fortunate in that my surgery was text book and my recovery drama-free.  But I still had to put in the “time” of recovery.  This resulted in almost 3 weeks of no running. 

2)   The new job.   No complaints whatsoever.  Love my new job.  It is however very all-encompassing – as most things are when you’re new.  There have been many work dinners and many long days.  Some days I’m beaten down by the intensity of the day, and other days find me beating down the treadmill at the hotel.  I’m getting it done on the run, but not as often as I’d like.

So, my training season hasn’t been bad, but it’s just felt a little……lackluster.  I’m still excited to run Boston and I’m still working hard to light a fire under my training, but the calendar is starting to taunt me.  “So, Lisa, when are you going to get a 20 miler in….hmmmmm?” 

It’s not the winter plan I wrote about back in early November after Cape Cod.  In fact, I’ve had no races since Cape Cod and have none planned until Boston.  I haven’t given up the idea of running an ultra, and with all this hotel activity lately, I do have a pool at my disposal should I decide it’s time to train for a triathlon.  So the desire is definitely still there.  I just need to encourage my body, my mind, and my new routine to all play nice in the sandbox!