Last night my trainer emailed me my running plan for the month of September. Next week marks twelve weeks until the California International Marathon (CIM for short). I have two days of full rest after my triathlon before my running plan builds up. She set it to gradually build up so I will have time to recover. Most of the running is based on time, not distance, so I can adjust my pace as I improve. When I saw her this morning in the gym, we discussed what pace to start with. That is the challenge. When I looked at what times I have been running some of my intervals, it just seems possible that I could run a 4:35 marathon. That would be huge for me…
So I put it to the test when I ran this morning. I planned a 3 mile run and targeted 5.6 to 5.7 on the treadmill which would be around marathon pace. I felt good and found my average heart rate was 135 and I maxed at 146. All in my low zone three. Now it was for only 3 miles, however I have run half and full marathons close to my AT most of the time. As I looked at my pace and targets for races I was once again reminded of my mantra – Believe.
The biggest thing holding me back sometimes is me. I have the ability to achieve more than I sometimes think. Believe. With what is within my control, I will give it my all. For things that are out of my control – waves, wind, rain, sunshine, heat, cold – I will have to roll with it. All the while enjoying the experience, because it will be over before I know it.
elisariva 
Believe – the only way to reach the goals we set in life. I ran my first 5k this past June and I have another planned for October with hopes of improving my 35:47 time. I’m not so worried about the time though. I’m more impressed with the belief in myself to keep up the running to even enter the events. 🙂 In my teens and twenties I pushed running to the back of my mind. Now at 50 I’m hooked. 🙂
Keep believing … thank you for this post. 🙂
Vicki
Vicki – thank you so much for commenting!! You gave me goose bumps reading your view. Keep at it, you will do fabulously!
I am just read another great article about the critical role our mindset plays in our performance. Your mantra is great and 12 weeks is plenty of time for you to get ready to hit that goal given all your training!
Thank you. Mind over matter means more every day.
I run further and further in this training and I’m still shocked when I finish! I too need to ‘believe’.
It is an awesome feeling when you see what you can accomplish!!