3 Marathons in 9 Months

Yesterday, whilst on a frosty Wednesday morning medium long run with the team, a thought hit me, I’ve run three highly competitive marathons in less than 9 months.

I struggled to get out of bed. I feel my chest, a bit behind, when I start intervals, when I stop and then start running again. Not terrible, but just...you know, behind. It’s cold and windy and snowy. I enjoy being with my team, and the occasional nice day makes for a blissful run...but winter is hard here. Training is hard here in the winter. 

I know I can do hard things, but there is only so much expendable grit, only so much power to muscle through, before I’ll need a break.

I don’t express this for pity. I am very lucky and blessed to be going to the Trials, which is why I’m still training. I want to give it a fair shot, my best effort on the day, though the experience is what I’m after most.

I guess what I realized on Wednesday is that it’s time to give myself grace, and just my best effort. I have decided to stop being upset if I miss a workout. I’ve decided to modify if for what I can do, to train for my body as it is, now how I wish it was. 

Hard work is hard. I work hard. Sometimes that hard work is faster than other times. 

And that’s ok. That’s so ok, it’s exactly what we all need to do.

I’m so happy my teammates are having great builds. I’m so happy many other women are as well. I’m so happy with what we, as a female population have accomplished together. The Trials are an expression of that triumph. 

I’m not stopping training. I’m not giving up. I’m giving myself permission to trust my body to do what it can.

You know what? That’ll do, that’ll do.