I found out last week that a few people I know don’t think that I can succeed at the marathon. Most think I won’t be able to finish at the pace I have been training at, but one even thinks I will bail out before the race ends.
It might sound strange, but the person who thinks I won’t finish bothers me the least. He is a non-runner and has no idea what he is talking about.
But the people who don’t think I can keep my pace kind of bother me. Admittedly, I know that the race is going to be rough. In training, I’ve been running strong through 16, then feeling the pace after that. But I haven’t been slowing down while training. So I’m confident in the first 16 miles. I’m hoping to make it strong to 20, and then do whatever I have to so I get through the last 10k. People say that a marathon is a 10k race with a 20 mile warmup, so that’s kind of how I’m treating it mentally. Run smart but strong through the first 20 miles and then get through the last 10k. If that means 6 miles of walking, it means 6 miles of walking. I’ve never covered this distance before. I don’t know how I’m going to respond. Yes, my training seems to indicate that I can run a 6:30 marathon. Will I finish in 6:30? Probably not, and I’m not setting a time goal. But I’m proud of the fact that my training is going so well.
But I’m really hoping to run strong for the first 20. I’m not going to be disappointed if I don’t, but I’ve been sticking to my training plan. I’m putting in the time. I’m stretching and cross-training and spending time with my foam roller. While I know there are things you can’t control, I have faith that I can do this.
So it really hurt to hear that friends think that I can’t do it. Friends should be supportive of my efforts. It would be one thing if I wasn’t training or if I was injured. Then they should be encouraging me to step back and take a realistic look at things. I’m always out there encouraging people to run, to pick a new goal and go for it. I’m always reasonable about it – but if I think you should try for that half marathon, you should. And I’ve also told people that I think certain races aren’t the best idea for them. I’m a realist when it comes to running, because no one wants to go into something knowing they’re going to fail.
I have enough self-doubt about this race which I know I can work through. That’s kind of my thing. I sign up for something that scares me, worry if I can do it, psych myself into it, and succeed. But then when I find out that my friends are doubting me… that’s harder to shake off.
I’m not going to say anything about it – I’d rather it just disappear. But now it’s going to be lingering in the back of my head on race morning.
I’m sorry we are going to let that linger in the back of your mind? I do not think so! It is all a mental game so know you are going to finish and let everyone else go!
That makes me angry for you! I know comments like that go unforgotten (I’ve heard my fair share of the same) but staying positive is the best thing you can do! I’m far, far away from conquering 26.2 miles so I look up to you for your strength and determination!
Ugh, that’s not nice at all. 🙁 I hope maybe you can use that in a positive way and PROVE to them that you can do it. Don’t let it shake your confidence – you’ve put in the training, you’ve got it.
You’ll finish. There are lines we draw for ourselves; without those lines, we can’t know who we are. You’ve drawn a line, and barring things you can’t possibly control (severe injury, typhoons, what have you), you’ll stay true to what you’ve determined.
I suggest you make a list, as other folks I know have done, of Deal Breakers: events that, should they happen, would cause you to drop. Constant vomiting would be a good one, sort of thing. Then, when you’re hurting in the late stages of the race, you can look at your list and say, “Well, am I at any of those points? No? Then we’re still in the game.” (I know runners who hand off the list to their crew or supporters, instructing them to hold the runner to it.) Being tired? Not on the list. 🙂 Being behind pace? No, still going. Feet hurt? Pssssh.
But if you can run 20, you can run 26.2. Fuel is key. Don’t fall behind there. I don’t see a pace group for your particular pace, but you KNOW at a race that size, you’ll find Gallo-walkers (not a pejorative; I like the term). Look for his booth at the expo; his site seems to indicate he’ll be there. He might be able to aim you at folks with similar time goals.
My first marathon time remains my PR. There is such a thing as race day magic. Don’t undersell yourself; you’ve done the work. The race is just the frosting on the cake.
By the way, you want to know bizarre race magic math? You think that last 10K is a leap of faith? Try aiming at a 50-mile race, only having gone 34 in training. Sixteen miles is a heck of a lot to take on faith…but it was there for me. Yours will be there for you.
Wow. That sucks. Who knows why ‘friends’ say things like that. Insecurity, jealousy, bitterness over some of their own issues. I can see how it won’t be easy for you to just shake it off. You are working hard for your goals and making the gains you need to pull it off. That will get you to the finish line. My two cents: Surround yourself with positivity and think of all those people that DO believe in you. In my case, my support team is there, but I’m the one doubting my ability to get through Princess without getting swept… so I keep reading great blogs and tweets from runners such as yourself to keep me inspired. It helps more that you can possibly imagine. Hugs.
Thanks all. This is a lot of help. And Carrie, that is an insane leap of faith. But your transition to runner has AMAZED me. I’ve been reading you… since pre-Gabe, I know, maybe pre-Sam? So to see you doing crazy distances is so incredibly impressive.
I have race rules:
1 – Get Medal
2 – Don’t poo your pants
3 – No puking (but it’s okay to break this rule)
So really, if I can just manage to not poo myself, I should be good, right?
Haters gonna hate. You rock.
I know how you feel about this. I have family members who think I’ll give up on running after a year or so and don’t think I’ll keep pushing myself.
I am just using it as more motivation to go out and prove them wrong and at the same time show myself that I can do anything I choose to take on.