Little Miss Runner Pants

DATE: 9:22 PM
dude, i TOTALLY hear you on that. i am going through the same thing right now--about to run my first half in a week and a half. i have HATED my long runs lately before doing them...and then LOVED them when they were over :) once i get my butt out the door though i usually pull through :)i wish i could run freakin faster so those damn long runs didn't take so long. I think that is part of the burnout too--knowing it will take a long-ass time and will eat up a lot of the day. anyway--i think you're a superstar and i'm sure you'll find a way to achieve your goal--you are doing great so far.

DATE: 8:39 PM
Hang tough!!! You'll get through it and come back even stronger.

DATE: 8:03 PM
Hang in there. Burn outs usually lead to freshly lit flames that light the way.

DATE: 4:47 AM
Yes, it is completely normal! Everyone feels the burn out at some point during their training. I was so happy when my last long run was done before my half marathon that I wanted to cry in joy and relief. We sacrifice a lot to run. It is time consuming. It is hard. It is frustrating at times. But you know you can do it! But what makes sense more than the burn out, is the fear and doubt. Your last marathon was TOUGH! but you made it. And that should make you proud, and instill in you an amazing confidence that you can and will do it again. It doesn't take as much to complete an easy run as it does a hard one. It takes a lot to run through the pain and mental challenge to keep goinging that the pain brings about. And that is exactly what you did last time. You didn't let your knee stop you. And nothing is going to stop you now either. 23 days, chica! You can make it. Just a few more long runs and then taper. It'll fly by and you'll be at that start line before you know it. Then all the hard work will have been worth it! Eight weeks from now you will be trying to decide what you are going to run next and the burn out will be but a distant memory!

DATE: 2:45 AM
That is exactly how I felt around the time of my longest runs. My 18-miler was perhaps the worst run of my entire life. I hated running, I hated life, and all I wanted to do was be done with the damn marathon. I also got the flu a month before the race and felt like I was never going to get better.You WILL survive the training and show up on marathon day psyched, rested, pumped, and excited.

DATE: 12:54 AM
I think this happens to everyone. These are the days you have to lace up and get out there anyway, maybe try a new trail, pace or other distraction to help you get over the "hump". It's just a phase, you'll get through it and then wonder what that was all about.

DATE: 11:29 PM
bummer on the burnout, man. and strange that you posted this, too. i just put up a quote from a book i read that really helped me remember why i love the sport so much.it may help you, it may not. you're right, though - everyone goes through it. but if you really do love the sport(any sport), it'll come back to you. for whatever reason, it just does.

DATE: 9:58 PM
I've been sick and I;ve missed THREE runs this week! I have my race in a week and a half and I know its going to be slow... and that's only an 11km! You've done it before, let yourself be frustrated and annoyed and remember, there are more pathetic people put there! I.e, me!

DATE: 9:25 PM
Hey- just wait until I get to my 16, 18 and 20 mile runs. The blog entries will read like this:"wah! boo! my feet hurt! What's the point?? wah! That was hard! Who am I trying to kid?"And so on. It happens - yes it does.But then you get to the other side which looks like, "I'm stoked! I'm ready! I can do this!" and that is the answer to 'why do we do it?" You're almost there!

DATE: 7:33 AM
I hate monster month. That is the gradual build up just before the taper!! It sucks, you are tired all of the time and your body hurts everywhere!! And that overwhelming sense of screw you...that is normal too. I am not fast, don't claim to be fast so I think that almost makes it worse. Worse because you can only endure the mileage and the time it takes to complete it. You will get through this. Everyone does. Once you start tapering you will feel incredible. Look back on some of your really great running posts. Find inspiration from what you have already done. You will be great!! I don't know anyone who crossed the finish line with fear and doubt. Stay positive and you will plog through it. Good luck!!

DATE: 7:32 AM
just think pheonix.rise from the ashes, a.

DATE: 7:29 AM
I'll agree with everyone else. I think burnout is normal. In fact to much of anything good can lead to burnout. Just make sure you have some fun along the way while training for your goals. Feeling bummed out about a run, just run for the sake of running! I stopped using a watch and heart rate monitor months ago. I thought I needed all these tools,technical gear and race goals to be a runner. I realized I don't. Running is about putting one foot in front of the other! Getting outside and having some fun!

DATE: 7:02 AM
It does happen, but that's why you're going to start Tri's, right? Get sick of running, go and bike and swim for a few days, or vice versa...No worries, you'll get over it before you know it.

DATE: 6:27 AM
Yes normal, very normal....well sorta. :)

DATE: 8:43 PM
Girl, you've been training your butt off. And this time you have a time goal, so you've got extra pressure on yourself. So of COURSE you're gonna be thinking "screw you!" (We all think it, you're just the only one honest enough to admit it!!)What everyone said. You have trained long and hard, and omg LOOK what you went thru in your last M, and you STILL kicked some serious butt! You are gonna be great, you're gonna rock'n'roll this one. I have NO DOUBTS. NONE!!!

DATE: 1:36 PM
DJgolndboy has something with the tri thing. Burnout is easy when you don't eat, sleep and breathe for running. I've had fewer "burnout" periods and somewhat less injury since training for the triathlon.The swims break up the runs. The bike rides give me a break from just running roads. Even so, burnout is easy to face when preparing for the marathons.

DATE: 11:40 AM
LMRP! You can DO it! We are almost there. On my way to work this morning, I thought to myself, SHIT, it's almost here.I'll buy you a well-earned beer when it's over, OK?

DATE: 10:53 AM
I like your "screw you" attitude to those super runners who report back on how wonderful their 20 mile jog was. I like to hear a little reality from runners; it makes us all feel more sane. And when it comes marathon time, sanity will come in very handy.

DATE: 8:29 AM
up it is very common, but it toughens you mentally for race day.

DATE: 8:46 PM
I have been reading along for quite awhile now without saying anything, but we're in the same space right now...exactly. My marathon is in 8 days and we did our last 20 miler last weekend, and for the last couple of weeks I've been SO ready for all of the training to be over. To get the marathon over with. To have a few weeks of running just to run before training starts again for the next one (Sept). Hang in there. We'll be on to some fun runs soon. And then we'll be able to say that we are Marathoners squared. How cool is that?

DATE: 6:16 PM
I probably don't need to answer since others have done it so well but, yes, your mind is normal...your body? Geez, that numbness sounds so weird. I've been losing feeling in my pointer fingers some mornings too. Maybe it's some kind of Rock 'n' Roll Training Affliction. One more really hard run and then it gets easier for a few weeks. Just keep that in mind this weekend.

DATE: 5:26 AM
wow...scooter's a psychiatrist too, who knew he could see into your psyche like that!!! I'm impressed.... .please read the other 20 comments telling you how NORMAL this is...it has NOTHING to do with your level of commitment. Maybe your level of WORKING out, which is a SIGN of your commitment, which is obviously high. Your rachet level is jes' fine, girl.

DATE: 9:12 PM
I've had it off and on quite often. The only time it didn't appear was when trying to qualify for Boston, and each time it began to flicker to life, it was dutifully choked out by drive and commitment. It's normal. It's okay, but it's a sing of not being really dedicated to your goal. If that's OK, then OK, if not, then you need to ratchet up the passion and commitment.

DATE: 9:11 PM
p.s. what i meant to say is: it's totally YOU!!! ha ha ha ha. (Just kidding!) :)