Motivation - HELP!!!

[krhall]

This is ridiculous! I am less than 5 weeks to the marathon and cannot stop getting niggly little injuries which are really draining my motivation.

I need help badly.

The thing is the fundraising is going well so that should be helping me, but in a way that is making me feel the pressure worse.

Arghhhhhhhh!

[Ed]

This is ridiculous! I am less than 5 weeks to the marathon and cannot stop getting niggly little injuries which are really draining my motivation.

I need help badly.

The thing is the fundraising is going well so that should be helping me, but in a way that is making me feel the pressure worse.

Arghhhhhhhh!

Deep breath - and RELAX!!!!! Are you overdoing things? It won't hurt if you have an additional rest day. You might be pushing yourself too hard. So often people say 'listen to your body' but my body never talks to me, so you have to be one step ahead and spot problems before they come. if I were you I'd have a break. Don't feel guilty, as long as you maintain the long runs you will do great:D On motivation - well imagine that the race is tomorrow. Imagine yourself on the start line. And think of what it will feel like to finish. You must think 'I can do this. I've trained for this. I am getting a medal. I am going home with some hardware'.

You, my friend, will walk it. So to speak:p

[mister c]

Get yourself motivated, or I'll send this guy round :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-c45KgHYJ7M&feature=related

Good luck with the training :cheers:

[fizzwheel]

What Ed says take a duvet day, do something thats nothing to do with training or anything at all.

I'm training for a 91 mile cycle ride in May, I make sure I have one rest day a week and on that day I do what I like and I eat what I like and I dont feel guilty about it.

Just relax have a break and then go forward again. You'll be fine.

[krhall]

Ed - I did an 18.5 miler before I got injured the first time and had to take 2 weeks off.

I also did 15 miles on Sunday, is an 18.5 in the bag enough for a marathon?

[Ed]

Kev - 18.5 miles - I'm no expert so treat my views with contempt, but I would aim for 20. Beginning with that magic '2', it's somehow a watershed.

This is one of my most treasured possessions. I worked bloody hard for it for nearly two years, the heat on the day nearly wrecked everything as it was 22 - 23C that day. I got it in 3 hours 19 minutes. I had a lot more time to train than I do now!!! And you will get one of these, except it will say 2008 rather than 2003.

You will get one, even if you finish on your hands and knees, you will go home with some hardware.

OK, here it is.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/Sythree/IMG_0906.jpg

[tomjones2]

About the injuries, how much are you streching before and after. I no expert but I have started riding to work which is a 22 mile round trip in london, my knees started to really hurt until I tried a new strech and things are felling so much better know. I am also fully addicted to the cardio, I have to make myself takes days off when I need the energy to do other things.

Fizz are you doing the 91 miles in one day? Sound alot, I am just building up and cycling in london is a bit werid, a lot of sprint starts and not many long endurance runs. I'm lucky if I am cycling for more than 10 minutes before coming to a major set of traffic light where you have to stop.

[krhall]

That is a beautiful thing Ed - Managed to grind out a 20.2 miler today and am happier that I did, it was a mental barrier for me and one that needed to be gone prior to the marathon. What's more somehow I did it in 3:00:00, spot on 3 hours which is quicker than I could possibly have imagined.

Now the trick will be to stay injury free for the next few weeks, that is my last long run!

[fizzwheel]

Fizz are you doing the 91 miles in one day? Sound alot, I am just building up and cycling in london is a bit werid, a lot of sprint starts and not many long endurance runs. I'm lucky if I am cycling for more than 10 minutes before coming to a major set of traffic light where you have to stop.

Yep 91 miles in day. Been out this morning racking up the training miles :cool: I'm hoping to do it in about 6 hrs ish..

Urgh cycling in London no thanks, you're a brave man.

[sarah]

That is a beautiful thing Ed - Managed to grind out a 20.2 miler today and am happier that I did, it was a mental barrier for me and one that needed to be gone prior to the marathon. What's more somehow I did it in 3:00:00, spot on 3 hours which is quicker than I could possibly have imagined.

Now the trick will be to stay injury free for the next few weeks, that is my last long run!

good work:smt023

[Ed]

That is a beautiful thing Ed - Managed to grind out a 20.2 miler today and am happier that I did, it was a mental barrier for me and one that needed to be gone prior to the marathon. What's more somehow I did it in 3:00:00, spot on 3 hours which is quicker than I could possibly have imagined.

Now the trick will be to stay injury free for the next few weeks, that is my last long run!

Terrific!! Well done you!! GO-O-O-O-O-O-O KEVVVVVV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomjones2]

Yep 91 miles in day. Been out this morning racking up the training miles :cool: I'm hoping to do it in about 6 hrs ish..

Urgh cycling in London no thanks, you're a brave man.

Yeah I really enjoy it but its a matter of time before I get knocked off what really scares me is cars turnig across stationary lines of traffic when you are on the cycles lanes. Honestley it beats the tube though, couldnt do that every morning and have to pay £100 a month for the pleasure as well.

[krhall]

91 miles, that is a long way!!! Saddle sore or what?

[krhall]

Motivation should I still need it arrived at my door yesterday - my official registration form complete with my running number:

42270


Suddenly it is all very real and very nerve racking!!!!

[fizzwheel]

91 miles, that is a long way!!! Saddle sore or what?

Nope, never been saddle sore, this is what good quality cycling shorts are for :cool:

[Dave The Rave]

hmmm ... I am no expert in anyway but did you say it was 5 weeks before the start? I think you should be in peak traning now (even so 20 miles seems excesive) and start winding down to get your body ready for the run. How many times a wek do you run? And how many years have you been running/training? People often over do it. 3x per week (2x shorter rus and one long one) will be more than enough giving you time to recover.

[wyrdness]

That is a beautiful thing Ed - Managed to grind out a 20.2 miler today and am happier that I did, it was a mental barrier for me and one that needed to be gone prior to the marathon. What's more somehow I did it in 3:00:00, spot on 3 hours which is quicker than I could possibly have imagined.

Now the trick will be to stay injury free for the next few weeks, that is my last long run!

Are you massaging your legs? I've been getting a few minor injuries recently when running and I've found that massage really helps. I've been massaging my legs for about and hour in the evenings when watching TV. Start from the feet and massage upwards toward the body. I've been using a massage bar, as it's less messy than oils.

Lots of stretching helps too, but I expect that you already do that.

[krhall]

hmmm ... I am no expert in anyway but did you say it was 5 weeks before the start? I think you should be in peak traning now (even so 20 miles seems excesive) and start winding down to get your body ready for the run. How many times a wek do you run? And how many years have you been running/training? People often over do it. 3x per week (2x shorter rus and one long one) will be more than enough giving you time to recover.

Yep - under 5 weeks now.

I have been running since late December 2006, prior to that nothing.

I try to run at least 4 times per week although 5 is what I want to be running.

20 Miles is going to be my last run exceeding 13 miles I think so that I have enough recovery time, I'm also going to pin back my weekly mileage a bit too.

As you say week day shorter runs and Sunday morning longish runs.