Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Too good to be true?

I was telling hubs last week that training has been feeling "too easy". Crazy, right??

I've been thinking back on my last training cycle and recalling some of my workouts; I was working a lot harder to hit my target paces last summer (and those target paces were significantly slower then the ones I'm aiming for now). I often had to stop in the middle of a tempo run for a quick breather, I rarely completed a MRP workout successfully and I was almost always ready to collapse at the end of intervals. This year I've been finding the paces with ease and sailing through my workouts consistently from one week to the next.

It almost feels too good to be true!

Knock on wood!

As I mentioned yesterday, I feel very confident and positive right now, but I also get nervous since I still have almost 8 weeks to go. Will I still feel like this when the big day rolls around? I hope so. For the time being, I'll remain cautiously optimistic and try to push the paranoia out of my mind that everything is going to come craashing down. I'll continue tackling these workouts while remembering to respect what I'm doing here. Training for a marathon is nothing to be taken lightly and I definitely don't need a humbling reminder.

Do you ever get the feeling that things are coming too easily? 

42 comments:

kristen said...

Training in the summer is HARD- the heat can be really terrible- so maybe your body likes the cooler temperatures better?
Regardless- look at this training cycle...you're working hard, you've got great support, and you've got a crazy good attitude about it all. I look at what you're doing and I'm definitely NOT surprised you're having so much success! So roll with it. Stay confident and even if you do have a bad workout or two, that doesn't mean you're not going to kill it on race day.

Generally, when things are going too well for me, I get injured :( So I am hoping that things still stay a bit of a struggle :)

Running Ricig said...

ah! I feel like that right now! it makes me nervous. definitely knock on wood!

Gotta Run..... said...

Why is our minds the biggest demon that we fight when training for a big goal? My missed long run was needed...I know this... but my mind played the guilt card.

You keep focused girl. ;)

Janice {Run Far} said...

I prefer it to be easier... but then I don't get faster, or PR or feel challenged. I love a challenge. After my Ultra this Sat I am going back to focus on my speed again.

Teamarcia said...

Just go with the flow and try not to overthink this. Yes, things came pretty darn easy to me after about a year of serious training, but I didn't know any better so I didn't realize it. But I do now!
Enjoy it and count on it all (and more) being there on race day!

Jen Feeny said...

Just roll with it girl, don't let those doubts creep in because you are rocking it!!!

Pretend this is real said...

Wow! Way to go! This is just all the hard work paying off.

Emily said...

you are getting faster. that's why it feels so much easier. duh. let it happen girl!

Laura said...

You are doing everything right including respecting the training and the distance. Just keep it up!

Being Robinson said...

this just means you are in amazing shape and are ready to kick some ass ;)

Joanne said...

Take advantage of all those great feelings. You're so lucky.
I've had the worst training season imaginable. 22 weeks of training with one pain or another every run. It's humbling not to mention extremely infuriating after having such a great first marathon.

So keep training well as long as your body is sending go for it messages.

CautiouslyAudacious said...

Just go with it! I'm sure will do awesome!

misszippy said...

Isn't it funny how it can play with our heads? I say have confidence...training is going well and you are reaping the benefits. It will hold up for you and you'll rock the big day!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

It's like we are having the same training cycles. I have felt that same way this whole time. Part of me is a little concerned that I won't feel that I can hold the paces I have been in training on Saturday. It's a mental game. Take the confidence and roll with it.

Runners Fuel said...

Ever since my knee had healed, I feel like my training is getting easier and easier. Every week, I set a new PR (pusing myself harder and harder each wee). I feel like smoethig horribly wrong is gonig to happen just a few days shy of my 1st 1/2 (39 days). I just take everything day by day. There's nothing more I can do.

Unknown said...

I totally know what you mean. I felt like that all last year, when I was setting PR after PR. EVERYTHING was going so well. I haven't had a major setback yet, but I keep feeling like it's coming soon. It is almost like I walk around flinching, waiting for the hammer to drop.

Jessie said...

I feel the same way as you! I just keep waiting for the ball to drop but I think when things are going good you just have to keep training smart and all should be fine! Your doing awesome! Cant wait to meet up in a couple weeks!

Denise said...

i think this is a great sign of what's to come!! i know for me, this past training cycle, while it was hard i never felt burned out or that it was too tough to handle. even andy made a few comments along the way that i handled the tough weeks without a single complaint. it's like my body was ready for it and wanted it...just like yours is now! yeah!!

lish said...

You are doing such a great job...you are working really hard but you are also playing it smart by taking rest days when needed etc. Keep focused on the plan...you are doing great!!

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

Nope never had that happen before!

Good for you though- you have worked hard enough that's for sure!

Stephanie Estridge said...

I get that feeling all the time lady... usually followed by a DUD week. I'm all over the place but it sounds like you're doing great! Are we looking at a BQ race this year? huhhhh? Huhhhhhh?

I personally think you're building your wings up... pretty soon you'll need a tattoo like mine to show em off! ;0)

Kerrie said...

I SO get this. I was telling Zoe that I almost want to register for a different full sooner (like early May) because I'm feeling so ready and don't want to wait!

5 Miles Past Empty said...

Own it!! You have put in the work!! Acknowledge it! Don't sit and wait for the ceiling to fall it!!! You are doing this!!!! =)

But yes, I think I have felt the too good to be true feeling before.

Meg said...

It would only be too good to be true if you weren't doing the work. You are!

"Easy" is a relative term. You're running a gazillion miles. That isn't easy. You're reaping the rewards of hard work!!

And you're NOT going to lose it because you are following your plan. You are on track. You are DOING IT!

Katie A. said...

Hello?! Did you write this post for me? I feel the same way right now! I wish my race was this weekend, instead of 4 more weeks. Everything is going so smoothly and I'm doing everything I'm supossed to do - I keep telling everyone I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall!
You are running awesome! Keep it up! The positive attitude and the "I can do this!" is exactly what you should focus on, everything else will fall into place. I think you're also more hungry for this now, like myself, so that will fuel your desire to really tackle each workout with the strength and mindset you need to.! Rock on girlie, you're doing fantastic!

Jill said...

I got that feeling once. And then I got injured and um, no, I no longer feel that way! I feel like I've paid my dues, it's been over a year now, let's move on. One thing I have learned, I will NEVER take it for granted again! EVER!

Allison said...

I think it's funny how we all tend to question a training cycle when we feel great just as much (or more) than a stretch when we feel bad.

Keep up the strong running and positive attitude! I can't wait to hear about your new PR! :)

Emz said...

just enjoy it.
just love it.
just realize how freaking hard you've been working!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome.

Thomas said...

During the base training phase I kept telling my coach that it all came so easy, I felt like I was not training properly.

Mind, he did crank up the intensity considerably later on.

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I cant say that it was "easy" last year when prepping for Eugene, but I did hit every work out and felt STRONG!! Every time I imagined the finish line I knew that I would be faster than my goal. BELIEVE!! and stay relaxed you have earned the right to BELIEVE.

chris mcpeake said...

Enjoy being in that groove for as long as possible. You worked hard and earned it.

Nicole said...

its cuz your aMAZING!!! and my hero! marlene & nicole hugs coming SOON <3

Felice Devine said...

You have such a strong foundation now that it makes sense that things are feeling easy. You've put in the work! You'll be feeling great in 8 weeks!

Unknown said...

I do get that feeling and it freaks me out! GASP! But then I settle down and realize it's OK that things are all good. Enjoy it!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Bethany + Ryan said...

well i feel ike my training is always too easy because i never really train, i feel like i just maintain, it's lame and really frustrating me lately. I feel like i never workout or do anything anymore.
I'm not surprised that you feel this way at all! you're so in your groove and you know the drill by now, not to mention the fact that you're getting stronger and stronger everyday! great job as always!

Julie D. said...

girl, that is the reward of some crazy hard work. Enjoy it. Well deserved. I can't say I've been there yet...but someday! :)

Richelle said...

Keep doing what you've been doing... getting in your workouts and training hard. Like Mel said: BELIEVE!

Johann said...

I certainly get that feeling sometimes but things come crashing down sometimes as well. This past weekend I had a terrible 50km run after some fairly easy going weeks. But I still say you should enjoy these confident times. You worked hard for it.

RunToTheFinish said...

i used to always be waiting for the other shoe to drop, now I'm working hard to just enjoy whatever is going well and let it be!

J said...

I have been feeling the same way - I get nervous about feeling so good on my runs but I keep telling myself to respect the distance and take it one run at a time and hopefully things will work out!

Anonymous said...

Marlene, I just think that goes to show how ready you are! :) I love it when it feels easy because that makes me think I am more trained and ready. So keep up the good work!

Jason said...

Remember the good times because as you well know it won't always be easy. It is important to remember the good and the bad to help you in either direction.

That being said congrats to you on being able to kill it right now.

This is all because you are training and working hard and pushing yourself to get better everyday.

Yeah You!!!!!