Doubt comes to visit.

You've probably read this before:

I like it. Liked it the first time I read it, probably even had a little, "That's right!" action going on after reading it. Doubt, schmout. She can't keep up with me! Ha, ha! Doubt -- I kick Doubt's butt! 


Yeah, a little of that.

But, if I'm honest with you, sometimes Doubt can keep up. And, man, it ticks me off when that happens.

Like on Friday. I had 16 miles on the schedule for Saturday morning. I was excited. And nervous. I'd been really sick earlier in the week. I'd missed two runs. I didn't want my long run -- the cornerstone of my marathon training plan -- to go anything other than very well.

So, I was nervous. Worried. In other words, Doubt had sidled-up beside me on Friday evening. And she was working her Black Magic.

I started questioning why I was even trying to run 16 miles. And that led to questioning why I was even training for a marathon. Who are you? How are you going to run 26 point freaking two miles? And what makes you think that even if you can run those 26.2 miles, that you can run them as fast as you've decided you want to? What gives Happy Runner? What. Gives.

15.12 miles. 2300+ ascent. 10:16 pace. Awesome run. That's what gives.

As I drove to meet friends for the run Saturday morning, Doubt was still right beside me. I doubted that I had slept well enough. I doubted that I had eaten enough, doubted that I drank enough. Doubted that I had it in me. Period.

You've got this. You've come too far to give up now. You've got this. 

I had it. The hills were steep and they were long. But I had it. I had the run. I was running with friends and in the span of two minutes I had re-convinced myself that I could do it, and I kicked Doubt to the curb.

It was a fun, fun, fun run. At mile 13 or so, my friend Tami told me how much we had run so far and I was shocked. The miles had flown by.

Sure, the run wasn't a full 16 miles but that's where we were when we got back to our cars so that's where it ended. What's a mile in the grand scheme of marathon training anyway?

The more important thing was shaking off Doubt. I don't like running with her. Heck, I don't like hanging out with her. At all. I'm sure she'll try to worm her way back again between now and May 6th and I'd like to think that I'll be able to shake her a little quicker next time but that may or may not happen. We'll just have to see. Take it as it comes. Keep some strong mantras in my pocket, to pull out any time I see wicked Doubt coming my way.

And expect that I can -- and will -- run strong enough that Doubt won't be able keep up. Once and for all.

Ever run with Doubt? Tell me I'm not the only one . . .

~ Felice

Running motivation 5.

Just in time for the weekend . . . another of my favorite quotes!

(Stop over HERE for a little more running motivation.)

I'll be off having a "life most fully lived" tomorrow morning, running 16 miles.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Enjoy!

~ Felice

New territory. And January recap.

Before I got sick, I made a big step in my marathon training. On Sunday, I ran my longest run in over seven years. Let me say that again:

On Sunday, I ran my longest run in over seven years. Seven. Years.

Seven years ago, I was childless. Seven years ago I was seven years younger. Seven years ago I had little idea what I was doing with my running.

Now, I'm a wiser runner and, I hope, a better one. Sunday's run would certainly help me to believe that. It was great. I ran at a 9:30-ish pace, starting a little slower and finishing up with a few miles at my marathon goal pace (8:30). I was pleased with how I felt during the run, and after. I ate an English muffin with a little peanut butter prior to my run and took two gels on the run -- a vanilla Clif Shot and a chocolate one. The gels were easy on my belly and kept me energized. I'm more-or-less convinced that the Clif Shot gels are for me so now I just need to bite the bullet and order up a case. Or two. Probably two.

The next day? Well, that's when I was as sick as a cat. And the next, too. So, I haven't exactly run since the 16-miler but I am looking forward to today's run!

*     *     *

Now, about the recap. Marathon training kicked off this month and my mileage reflects that. It was a little lower than planned, because of my own illness (missed a 5-miler) and my son's illness last week (missed a 6-miler). But, that's no big deal in the grand scheme of marathon training. Overall, I'm happy with how my running went this month.

January stats:

Running (miles): 129.7
Racing: 2 -- half marathon and a 15K (both the local Winter Series)
Cross training: 9


Not bad. In addition to the running, I've gotten serious about my smoothies and have been making them almost every day again, experimenting with new and different ingredients and just generally enjoying them. I've also gotten back to having chia every day and I've been creating new healthy recipes. And, I went crazy with the running motivation. 


In other words, February has a lot to live up to.


Yup. Sure does.


Enjoy the rest of the day!


~ Felice

Who's the winner?

Not me, that's for sure. See, I've been as sick as a cat lately. ("Sick as a cat?" You think it's "sick as a dog," right? Well, I don't know about dogs. I do know about cats and I know that they -- or, at least, my cat -- get sick Every. Single. Day. so I'm going with "sick as a cat.")

Yup, sick as a cat. It's just been awful. So, I'm behind. Behind on everything. I've had to scramble to finish some freelance work, I've missed my scheduled runs, my house is a mess, and I haven't blogged. Well, that's what happens, I guess.

At least now I'm getting to the blog.

And good thing, because I have a Bob Harper Kettlebell DVD winner to announce! Yay!

Using random.org, I chose a winner from all of your entries (you guys really wanted to win this one!) and the winner is . . .


Catey from Losing It 


Congratulations, Catey! Send me an email at felicehalf at yahoo dot com so you can get going with the kettlebells!

Now, I've got to get back to doing something about those piles of laundry and dishes and the toys that are everywhere. So, have a good day, everyone. I hope to be back with more running stuff tomorrow!

~ Felice