Running Funk

Thanks for serving!

I think given your circumstances you need to be kind to yourself. Your 1/2 Mary goal time how did you establish that? Do you think it is realistic?

What kind of plan are you following to train? You know improvement isn't linear so often it comes in spurts and then stalls out.

Goals are great but they should be realistic and attainable or often I'll have three goals a stretch goal, a medium goal, and one I think I should be able to do.

Sounds like you are a little burned out? Given where you are and how you are limited in training I am not surprised. When you get home I bet you will get a huge boost in motivation just from having more freedom and able to run anywhere you want.

Negative self talk for me can really crush my workouts. I don't know much of it any more and try to nip it in the bud if it starts.

A couple of ideas and things I have done that helped me:
1. At end of the day write something about your workout that well and keep it positive. Do this daily. Review it weekly if not more.
2. Weekly I would write what I was above average at in my sport life...all inclusive...nutrition, following plan, whatever. I found this really hard to do as I didn't see myself above average at much since I"m slow. Pace and time is not all sport is about. It became easier for me to do.

Both these things helped me turn from more negative view to positive view and helped me be mentally ready for my IM.

Best of luck...

First of all, cheers to coming home soon!! 

Yes, we all go through a slump where we just can't get in the grove.  Sounds like you have a lot of other things going on besides running.  Focus on all that and just let the running be your relaxation time.  Don't stress about the training or your goals now.  Try to get back to enjoying it, no matter what speed or how far you are running. 

A change of location and especially temperature (I don't know how you do it in that heat!) will definitely help.  Just believe that you will reach your goals; it just may not be on your own plan or timeline.

Yes, it happens, especially in longer training programs.  I usually get it around 2/3 through or so.

I have no magic trick for getting over it.  Sometimes you just gotta push through, keep your eye on the prize. 

try changing up your pace.  Run some a lot slower, some faster.  Then add some test days in there every 3 weeks or so.  Check is this blog to see if you think it might help.

http://www.triathlontrainingblog.com/?p=796

Here's another thought.  This article was just posted on my triclub website:

TODAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
Hot (AM and PM) Temp: 115 F Hum: 11% P: 29.67 in Wind: 5mph E	Sunny High 115F Low 92F	Hot (AM and PM) High 116F Low 83F	Hot (AM and PM) High 113F Low 78F	Sunny High 109F Low 76F
Check the Past 24 Hour Conditions
High 117F Low 83F

Are you kidding?!!?  That is just brutal!  Yes, you'll run faster in cooler weather.  I'd be 1-2 minutes per mile slower in the kind of weather you're dealling with.

The other thing is that you're program is designed for a peak on the 20th week.

Just think, you could almost do IMKY in long sleeves after this

Yeah, everyone does this.  Just keep in mind, "How badly do I really want this?"  That's what gets me through quite a bit.  Well, that and thinking about what a TAC Officer would do if I slowed down.

<- CW3.  Spent my year in the sandbox.  It sucks. 

I think you need to suck it up, pansy.

No, really, I'm in the same boat myself, and I've only been here half as long as you.  Soon, dude, you'll be home soon!

Thanks everyone for the help.  Especially Mr. Sapper

I think what I was looking for was some permission to take a slack week and some justification that it'll be okay in the end.  I'm also glad to hear that the heat can be the culprit.

As for my goal, a lot of running calculators say that my 1:45 goal is not too far off given my 21:30 5k and my 49:00 10k.  I'm willing to be happy with anything under 2 hours but I want to work hard and shoot for 1:45.