Because I love y’all and I value the fact that you take precious time out of your day to read this blog I am going to be 100% honest about where I am and how I’m feeling about marathon training.
It sucks. Bad.
I mentioned last week about the various groups that I’m (obsessed with) on FB and most of the posts are like “had a great training run today!” Or “easy 10 miles for breakfast this morning!!” Meanwhile I am living, sleeping, and vacationing in Struggle City.
I have literally asked myself why in the entire H-E- double hockey sticks am I doing this again? I mean. This is not fun. The joy has been zapped and all I want to do is curl up on my favorite pillow and nap for 7 straight days…is that too much to ask??
I know I’m not the best runner and I’m certainly not the most natural runner but finding the motivation to go out and do it anyway was never an issue…until now. My pace is way slower than last year, everything hurts most days and marathon training is not allowing me to do things that I love like spinning and Zumba.
The Long Run To End Long Runs
Things took a bit of a turn for the worse during my long run last weekend. I started off with a fun 5k–the Percy Sutton 5k in beautiful Harlem where we got to run a very rare road race with New York Road Runners. The course was super hilly but I made it through. Early on my calves started cramping like crazy. I try didn’t know what was happening as I had super hydrated the days before (100oz+), had a proper breakfast and got decent sleep. It was super painful but worked itself out a little bit after I finished the race.

Central Park is just so beautiful!
The training plan called for 14 miles so I had to run down to Central Park to hopefully finish strong. Unfortunately it all went downhill (see what I did there?) after Mile 8, it got hot–82 degrees, and although I had fuel on me I was so done. With my husband’s encouragement I pushed through and I was so tired by mile 12 I was simply delirious.
I completely walked the last two miles, it was hot and I was borderline delirious–
— Nellie ✊?✊?✊???? (@BklynActiveMama) August 22, 2015
for example panicking because I thought I lost my phone…that I was listening to. 😐
— Nellie ✊?✊?✊???? (@BklynActiveMama) August 22, 2015
I finished. It was UGLY but I finished. Needless to say I am not looking forward to 15 tomorrow. I have another fun race that will take up 5 miles but the final 10 are all me. Send me good vibes because I need it!!
Although it’s hard and I am struggling, I know I will finish. I won’t be at work the next day after the marathon so I will be finishing for sure. Even if it takes me all night. Kidding! (Sorta)
More NYC Marathon Training Posts:
20 Brutally Honest Confessions About Marathon Training
Road To The NYC Marathon: Making It Happen – Week 4-5 Recap
Road To The TCS NYC Marathon: This Is Tough! Week 1 – 3 Training Recap