Marathon Training burnout
ccmccoy09
Posts: 284 Member
I'm 5 weeks out from my first marathon (June 22) and burnt. I don't look forward to long runs or speed work, I've stopped cross training altogether, and I've let my diet go to hell. My last 3 miles of Sunday's 20 were awful, mentally and physically.
Can I get a pep talk? Advice? Links to articles? Or maybe just share some horror stories to commiserate?
Can I get a pep talk? Advice? Links to articles? Or maybe just share some horror stories to commiserate?
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The worst part about a marathon is the training... and I guess the worst part could be the marathon itself if you neglected to put in the time to train (like me last Sep). I got bored a little over halfway through my half marathon training plan in late winter/early spring and just signed up for some smaller races. My race still went beautifully, and I was able to stay sharp, motivated, and engaged. Training plans will do it to people. There are some who follow them to the letter, and there are others who don't. Are you running longs by yourself? If so, San Diego is a big place and I'm sure you can find a local running group to keep you company (and motivated).0
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I'm 10 days out from my first marathon. I was feeling exactly like you are 3-4 weeks ago. I was battling some minor injury, I was so so so so tired, I skipped my speedwork a couple of times, I stopped going to the gym for my strenght training (haven't gotten back to it yet) and I started eating whatever I wanted.
It gets better. My last 20 miles long runs went beautifully compared to the previous one; I raced a half 2 weeks ago (21min. PR) that put my mind at ease with my level of training; I started eating healthy again (well since monday, but I'm back at it); and speedwork is fun again.
I think it's the mix of the unknown, of the high mileage that your body isn't used to, and the stress that make us feel like that.
I also second SonicDeathMonkey idea of doing your long runs with someone if you can. It makes a HUGE difference.
Good luck!
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Marathons are serious business in that you really put yourself out there. The amount of energy that you expend mentally, physically and emotionally are great. However, even a bad marathon can be transcendent. The training is a lifestyle. The race is the celebration of life. My favorite practice includes doing most, if not all, long runs on trails. That way I incorporate hills. Spending 3 or 4 hours on soft and varied trails makes those long runs so much better. Running with someone can be a bonus. I have spent a majority of nearly three decades running primarily alone. My wife started running with me and our conversations are a reflection of our marriage. Sometimes it is fun and nice to have my best friend with me and other times we drive each other crazy. Regardless, we trust, we laugh, we argue, and we talk. Sometimes we have mile after mile of silence. Mostly importantly we complete our runs and we reach our goals together. Burn out never entered into it.
Sometimes when alone I listen to my music. Diet is critical. It sounds like that got away from you. Running is a blessing. If it doesn't feel that way then get some rest.0 -
Without training pals, I'd definitely suffer so I "third" that advice! Find a group if you can.
Change something. Your route? Your running schedule? The surface you usually run on? (Try trail, try the track). If you listen to music, don't. If you don't, do. Try to "play" a little, rather than just train, if that makes sense. Sometimes a little change can add some adventure.
You're almost there! Getting to the close of marathon training is a huge accomplishment!0 -
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I hear you. I really hear you.
I'm 4 weeks out from my first full. I've been following my training plan since January 1st.
My problem is not my long runs, but getting the miles done during the week. A lot of those runs are done on my treadmill after the kids are in bed, which is usually fine, but I'm finding more and more that I'm just doing the bare minimum, and even then sometimes my miles might be a bit below what they actually should be.
Training is tough - but when we've sacrificed so much to get this far, why would we just let all of that fall to the side because our brains are tired. Our bodies can do the miles, be sure of that, but that big ol' brain of ours wants to sleep in, eat junk food, and have a chance to unwind. I buckle down and remind myself that there will be some training downtime right after the race, to recover, and my brain can suck it up.
Sometimes finding a group to run with helps for some social aspect - but, I do enjoy the solitude that running affords me.0 -
I totally hear you, I went through this with my last marathon in December.
To me, training is sort of the best and worst parts of running a marathon. I love the build up and the strength you feel, running longer each week and gaining that sense of confidence. But it's mentally and physically taxing. It's exhausting just being so disciplined. As someone stated before, the training is a lifestyle of sorts. I definitely turn down certain foods simply because I know it will affect my run later and I turn down countless number of social events because I want to stick to my training schedule.
I found it helps enormously to run with a group and to change things up periodically. Treat yourself to a nice "run-cation" by driving to somewhere new and running in a pretty location, or hit the trails or the beach. Get some new music, new GUs/chews/energy, etc.0 -
Wow. This is really beautifully stated.Marathons are serious business in that you really put yourself out there. The amount of energy that you expend mentally, physically and emotionally are great. However, even a bad marathon can be transcendent. The training is a lifestyle. The race is the celebration of life.0 -
My last 3 miles of Sunday's 20 were awful, mentally and physically.
Can I get a pep talk? Advice? Links to articles? Or maybe just share some horror stories to commiserate?
Yep, that's how they should feel. When you do your next 20 miler, those last few miles will feel a LOT easier! Then before you know it, you'll be tapering and everything will seem easy. Just tough it out for two more weeks til your taper starts and you will be home free. You've put in the training and you'll be able to really enjoy the race!0 -
Can I second this? Just finished my first 30 weeks of marathon training and also my first marathon. The race itself was so much fun. Even through the unexpected, the reflection of what I have accomplished and how my lifestyle has changed was such an amazing sensation. Can't wait to do it again.
Wow. This is really beautifully stated.Marathons are serious business in that you really put yourself out there. The amount of energy that you expend mentally, physically and emotionally are great. However, even a bad marathon can be transcendent. The training is a lifestyle. The race is the celebration of life.
I support the idea of mixing it up. I had a slump during my training and threw in a cross training instead of a slow run, kept my focus on the diet, and eventually the running came back to me. Good luck.0 -
I'm just getting into marathon training and what keeps me going is having a smaller race about once a month to look forward to. Some are just for fun and some are taken seriously. I run with a group three times a week for shorter runs but I'm going to go against the grain here and say I prefer my long runs alone. I won't have my friends alongside me during my marathon so I try to get used to just me & my mind out there on those long runs. I think that helps with the mental side and also lets me run my pace.0
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Just wanted to state what's already been said and offer you some encouragement. Honestly, you should be feeling a little burnt out right now. If you weren't, then you are probably not training right. I always tell people that running a marathon is easy. Training to run a marathon is not. Hang in there. All of those blood ,sweat and tears will be worth it when you cross that finish line. And you will have achieved something that many people only dream of doing and that can never be taken away from you. Good luck!!0
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I really like Greg McMillan's training plan because around where you are in training there is a week that cuts back and mixes it up. So the week before you've done 20-24 miles as the long run, but 5 weeks out the long run changes to only 16-18 miles with the last 6 at marathon pace. You go back up the next week but its LSD. this really helped me in that time period, especially mentally!0
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My last 3 miles of Sunday's 20 were awful, mentally and physically.
Can I get a pep talk? Advice? Links to articles? Or maybe just share some horror stories to commiserate?
Yep, that's how they should feel. When you do your next 20 miler, those last few miles will feel a LOT easier! Then before you know it, you'll be tapering and everything will seem easy. Just tough it out for two more weeks til your taper starts and you will be home free. You've put in the training and you'll be able to really enjoy the race!
Sounds about right to me - this is how you know your training is working.
Power through it, PopTart.0 -
Everyone gets burnt out. I've ran 6 marathons in the last year with 2 BQs, and I know what it's like to be at a low low burnout point.. I can sense it coming now which is nice.. Advice-I'd say take some time off... Few rest days... A few cross train days.. Eat healthy... Maybe if you need a confidence booster sign up for a race you know you can PR in (if you are still a few weeks out from the full).. Maybe a 5k? Something you like.
You gotta remember that you are doing this for YOU! Yes, it's difficult to go through the motions every day, but you should be excited for your first full not dreading it. Surround yourself with positive energy!
Can't let the devil in your head get to you before you even start the marathon
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I don't know if it's the third fourth or fifth at this point but running buddies save me in my training runs!! I can't emphasize that enough. I ran a 20-miler a few weeks back and ran the first 16 by myself and I was loathing the last 2 or so. 2 friends joined me for the last 4 miles and they were the quickest pace of the day, significantly. It was great!0
