Wow. 18 miles done already this morn and it didn’t suck. Could I finally be getting stronger? I’m not a lover of the long run. I like 10 milers. Anything over 10 miles, including the half marathon, is a “bit” of a stretch for me. And normally anything 15 and over just sucks. Bad. I think about the long run all week. I dread it. I even promise myself that if I get thru “this” marathon training cycle, then I’ll never sign up for another. Lies. All lies. I will sign up for another marathon. I don’t know why. They aren’t my forte. I’m not fast. I don’t enjoy the distance or in some sick way, do I enjoy it? What I do enjoy, however, is the training. Getting out on the trail before the sun comes up. Watching the sunrise. Feeling like for those few hours, the world is all mine.
Pure bliss.
Each training cycle is “cyclical”. I have good runs and bad runs. I can be in a bad cycle for a year or more. It could be due to injury, or fatigue, or stress. But when the cycle ends and I start hitting my workouts again, or running long without the “that sucked” feeling, then my heart sings with joy. I’m on the verge of coming out of a bad cycle and I’m starting to get excited. I still have a hamstring that is rebelling against the “come back” but I have a feeling that fast times are in my future. Finally. Could it be true? Only time will tell.
If you’re in a training rut, hang tight. This too shall pass. It can’t all be good all the time and if you have been running a long time, then you know to accept the bad with the good. And some of the downswings can be downright confidence zapping. But that’s normal too. Trust me, hang tight and keep putting in your miles unless your body is just too tired, then just take some downtime to recharge your battery (and confidence).
Any good hamstring stretches? Send them my way! I need this hamstring to get on board with the big picture. It isn’t painful, just tight and irksome.
** Hang On, You WILL Get Stronger ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **
TooTallFritz 
I sure hope this training rut moves on quickly! Congrats on the good run!!! If you get any hamstring stretches please share! Mine is being stubborn too!
Sweet post and time apprio considering 19-mile long run this morn and 1st 20 coming up next Saturday, so your perspective is inspirational. I too dread long runs and none are really easy…they aren’t supposed to be easy…and in terms of training…they do what they are intended…push our muscles, physiology and mind to its limits…hopefully to help us peak at the right moment when we run the marathon race according to our planned goal or time. The best thing about the long run or the marathon race itself…comes at the end when you have finished…aching and hurting…probably…buy pleased and satisfied that you have finished…hopefully happy with the finish time…and hopefully had some good moments and memories to take home with you from some points along all those miles you ran…both in the training and in the marathon race itself.
Best hamstring routine I know is that lay on your back and rope pull routine. Most stretches are extended holds…but this one was video clip on MacMillan Running and you lay on your back and use a jump rope or yoga strap around bottom of shoe and slowly raise leg upwards to vertical (newbies or those with very tight hamstrings may have to settle for less than 90-degrees in the beginning)…using the rope or strap to extend that stretch a bit beyond what you can do without using the strap. The key here is not too hold this stretch…maybe 1-sec at peak stretch…then slowly lower leg and repeat. After 10-12 reps…repeat on other leg. You can build up to 2 to 3 sets over time. That’s the best and simplest one I know of. Not sure if it is still on MacMillan run site or not, but I do believe he sells a stretching routine CD that probably has it on it. I thought MacMillan had the best and most practical stretching, injury and recovery routines and tips of all the sites I have been to over the years. Let me know if you need me to dig it up for you.
Thanks. I know the stretch your talking about and gave a yoga strap. I’ll try it, thanks!
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Awesome. I love great training runs.
AWESOME!!!! So glad you had a great run!
Glad you had a good run! I totally agree….I love having those early mornings to myself when I’m out running.
One stretch I found on my yoga app this week was to bend into a forward stretch, straighten the R leg and put a slight bend in the L leg, and twist your torso extending your R arm into the air and L arm stays touching the ground. Repeat on other side. Sink your but back to get a really good stretch in your hamstring!
Congrats on the Great run!
Awesome run, girl! It’s funny, all week long I look forward to my long run. This Saturday will be 18 and I can’t wait!! Now, usually around mile 13-15, I’m asking myself why do I like this torture?? Hope your hamstring gets on board soon!!
Congrats! I love this!