The Runner's Kitchen

i <3 the shout out! those hotel coffee makers are the worst.

And all things considered, that's pretty good for a blah day. I absolutely HATE when you can't find a rhythm. I tend to work on just not freaking myself out and hope I can rally later. Sometimes it works (especially in a race where people keep coming back), but sometimes it's a miserable failure.

I have a HORRIBLE case of negative self-talk, always. The first 3-5 miles of my last couple halfs and full marathons have been full of me convincing myself reasons I should drop out. It usually isn’t till I pass the half mark that I realize I should shut the eff up and that I’m fine.

I ran a half last weekend during which the first 2 miles I thought something was wrong with my ankle and that I went out too fast, and pretty much convinced myself I was done for. My brain is my weakest running muscle, by far. I ended up having a great race.

Anyway, awesome race — that puts you in like the top 1% or something! The coffee debacle sounds like it was probably pretty stressful. I’m glad you find a solution

Oh yeah — during the NYC Half, I pretty much wanted to quit from mile 1! I kept telling myself “it’ll eventually get better” or “you just have to wait it out.” A lot of times, I just go back to “what’s the worst that can happen?” Typically, for me, its walking so I’ll just make a deal with myself that I’ll run at a pace that is slightly uncomfortable and once it becomes unbearable I will just cross that bridge when I get there. That “deal making” strategy typically works well for me.

Looks like a great race to me! Glad it was great weather! Can’t wait for spring to have sprung in NYC.

Awesome job with the race!

At the end of races I always have negative thoughts. I always want to stop and be done and I hate running because I am tired and my legs usually hurt. Congrats on the great finish for the 10 miler!

@Jen – I definitely struggle with motivation when the weather is bad. It
helps to have a running buddy who will motivate me to get out the door! And
I try to remind myself that once I get over the initial wetness, running in
the rain can be kind of peaceful. No one else is out there!

YAY! That is still an awesome race, and an equally amazing brunch. I feel like I’m in your shoes a bit this week getting ready for the Scotland 10K (or rather, NOT getting ready). Midterms, 12 hour work days, and a major bathroom renovation means I’ve been hardly training since running the NYC Half.

As for negative thoughts during races, I had serious doubts about finishing when running the Manhattan Half earlier this year. It was 14 degrees, my sweat froze in my hair, and my toes hit a point where they were so numb I didn’t realize until after the race that one of them was bleeding. The whole time, my mantra was, “keep moving, stay warm.”

I also second Starbucks instant, when in a pinch. Portable, potent, and …err, potty-prep

Awesome race, even though it wasn’t what you wanted. What you describe is exactly how I felt in my half last weekend, flat and uninspired. And, good to hear you had a great weekend in DC!

You are pretty bad ass too! You can always rely on me to tell you that. I am definitely a different kind of runner than you, but I try to always be thankful for the run while I’m going. Helps keep perspective too. But I also wonder why I’m so slow while I run too. Negative thoughts be gone…

Ah, thanks for the tips! It’s reassuring to know that even someone of your running caliber needs the extra push

I had some serious negative talk at mile 4 when I thought I ran well over a minute slower than I had the previous mile! I always struggle with negative talk but that is actually a blessing – because I know it “always” happens in the beginning, and around 40 minutes it vanishes. (This is the same reason I don’t run 5ks)

I think that’s an awesome time! Especially considering your legs felt heavy. Sometimes there’s not a whole lot we can do about the “off” days. That omelet looks like the perfect post-race meal!
I’ve had negative thoughts in races before – usually I get rid of them pretty fast because I know they won’t help me, but sometimes it’s hard when I really don’t feel well. If all else fails, I try to focus on something else, or someone that inspires me (in running or in life), and thinking of that person gives me a boost.

Maybe it was too soon for another race, but your time was so decent! I would have DIED without the coffee though. You are a trooper! BTW: you look so much like your Dad! Congrats on a great race… from you very old pudgy running fan.

@MA – I agree that the first 40 minutes of any race (or long run…) are the
toughest mentally. In college, my long run buddy and I would always say “40
minutes till fun!” on our long runs. It seemed to get easier after that
point. Maybe because we were half-way through?

Hey – I commented the other day about seeing you on the course in DC. When I said I loved the course, I should have clarified that I thought it was pretty scenic, but it was overly crowded and curving all over the place. I totally missed Mile 4 (actually I saw the timer, but there was no 4 sign). I had no goals coming into the race as I had run the National Half the weekend before, so I wasn’t too disappointed despite a pace that was pretty lame (and disappointing, cough cough). I, too, let myself get a little defeated around miles 8 and 9. I’ve been having some mental games issues as well – though I think that’s just the nature of being a competitive runner. Despite your frustration, you ran a great race. Congrats!

Congratulations on the great placement in the race!

When I get stuck, I try to remind myself that even in a full marathon, it’s only 4 hours or so to push myself. I have allllllllll day after to rest, sleep, eat, whine, give up, etc, but for that 4 hours, I just need to keep pushing or I’ll regret it later.

Totally different. The start of the Half was crowded as well. More normal in terms of not all of the twisting and turning. Hillier course. Not much crowd support (tho it was pretty sporadic at this race as well). There were a bunch of tech problems this year – only miles 1, 3, and 10 were marked and ambulances kept coming on the course. Regardless, I would recommend the National Half. I would not, however, recommend the full from the looks of it (you run through the finish and I’ve heard the second half course blows).
I wondered how you would compare this race to the NYRR races you do?