Adjusting to fall

[frojoe23]

Is anybody else having a hard time adjusting to the end of summer training. I have really been having a hard time getting up in the mornings. It was bad enough when only like 15 minutes of my run were in total darkness, but now almost the entire run is. I am no longer able to run on the canal in the mornings and I do not like to run around Cumberland in the dark - mostly because I have only been able to handle the high mileage because I have stayed off of the roads and the hills.

Anyway, this week has been a disaster because I couldn't get up some mornings and ruined two of the days that I was supposed to double. I had to move Wednesday's double to Thursday and then on Thursday evening I was too tired to run, and then Friday morning I couldn't get up to do the double I needed to do the day before. I don't know if this is all because I am still recovering from my race on Saturday or not. But I'll end up with 80 miles for the week and I will be disappointed with that. Maybe it is for the best before making the final push in the next 4 weeks, but this week has really killed my confidence. Three weeks ago I felt indestructible, now I just feel like nothing is going right. I haven't had a decent run all week. Sorry, I'm just venting a little bit. Just wanted to know if anybody else was having trouble, especially if you are running doubles.

[wvrunner]

Hang in there Jaron you're at the toughest point in you training. All of the miles and a tough race have a way of creeping up on you. Actually an 80 mile week will do more good than harm. I know of several peolpe including myself, Dave Rinehart and Jeff Smith had similar feelings during this phase of training for marathons. All of the work and miles you put in are like money in the bank, it will be there to take out when Chicago rolls around. Be patient, work through it and you will be more than ready for Chicago. Every runner goes through this from time to time.

[Justin]

Well, I personally haven't been running much lately so I haven't had a hard time at all. Haha. That really should change though.

Jaron, if you need help getting up you can come and live with me, my daughter wakes me up every morning at around 5:30.

Seriously though, it's not the end of the world to have an "off" week. I mean right now an off week for you was still 80 miles with what seems to be good quality. There is a good balance between listening to your body when it needs a rest and still getting the work you need to succeed. I think you hit that right, if it was a 40 mile week, then I'd say you listened to your body too much. Does that make any sense?

[baldisbetter]

Jaron,

Denny is right, you are just about at the peak of this training cycle and you are peaking at the right time. The next two weeks will be the toughest mentally. Then you can start thinking about the taper and focus on the race.

You ran well on Sunday, smooth and comfortable with a good rhythm.

[scott]

Jaron i know i really cant offer that much advice that you more experienced runners don't know, but i wanted to say keep at it man, you'll do great no matter what!!!