I’m not a naturally “fast” runner. Growing up, I was always played sports and I would consider myself a “jock” in high school, but running fast was never “my thing”. I think I have mentioned this before, but Coaches used to tell me: “You aren’t a fast runner, but you have pretty good endurance.” It was the reason I play Center-Midfield on our soccer team (the position that runs around the most, but is not considered the fastest runner on the team).
Anyway, once one Coach told me that, it gave me a pass and the freedom to not have to try to be a faster runner. “I just wasn’t fast.” End of story.
Over the last six months, I have been working hard to change that imbedded thought of “you are just not fast”. Dorothy was the first one to tell me that I could run a Sub-4 Marathon back in January 2012, when my marathon PR was only 5:05 (I thought she was crazy). She believed it, but I didn’t. It wasn’t until I started writing in my Believe I Am Training Journal that my thoughts started to change.
Every time I run, I try to write one positive note or quote in my journal (see below).
I know that changing 27 years of “you aren’t fast” thoughts isn’t going to happen over night, and “turning off the light” on negative thoughts is easier said then done, but evidentially things have started to change for me. I wouldn’t have been able to PR in the Marathon, Half Marathon, & 10K distances in the last couple of months without changing my thoughts.
Check-In on my BIA Goals. (Here is Check In #1)
GOAL #1. Believe in Myself (Think Positively). See changes I made above.
Next Month: Continue to write positive notes in journal, and start to DREAM BIGGER. What else can I accomplish? What are my dreams for 2013?
Goal #2: Keeping Track of Gut (stomach) Issues. Yikes. This one is still tough for me. I didn’t talk about my stomach issues or my fueling (lack there of) at the Philly Marathon, but this is something that I need to still work on. I have tried a bunch of alternative fueling options, but I still haven’t found what works best for me.
Next Month: Since I am on a little break from training, I am going to start researching some different fueling options to try next training cycle. Let me know if you have any ideas! Someone suggested that I take GUs randomly through out the day to get my stomach used to them?
Goal #3: PR in a Race (Any distance) before January 1st 2013. Goal accomplished! Boomshakalaka.
Next Month: Since goals can change at any time (my journal, my rules, right?), I am going to add a new goal. NEW GOAL: I would like to work on taking a step back from training and running in the next month. This doesn’t mean I won’t be running, but letting myself have a mini break. For the record, I don’t feel burnt out from running. In fact, I feel the opposite. In my mind, I want to run more, run faster. But I think my body might need a little down time before the next training cycle.
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Great update! It is wonderful to see you accomplish so much! I am on a break from training too. It feels awesome. Running when I feel like it, not because an excel schedule tells me to.
I switched my fueling mainly because the sweetness of all of the Gus and shot blocks bothered my stomach. I have 100% satisfied with using raisins. I take them the same as I would take a Gu (every 4-5 miles).
Congrats on all your PRs – you are amazing girl! Dorothy is my coach too! I love how confident she is in us even when we aren’t confident in ourselves! Her support definitely helps with the mental game of marathoning – she talked me off the ledge of self-doubt many times this season!
On fueling – I have a ton of trouble with Gu or anything in that sugar carb sticky family. I recently tried Huma gels which are made from chia seeds. http://humagel.com/ It’s a local Nashville, TN company. The consistency is different than Gu and is much less sweet. I haven’t had any stomach issues since. Let me know if you want to try them and I can totally mail you some – I don’t think they are in wide distribution yet! They have a strawberry flavor and an apple cinnamon flavor.
Wow these gels look awesome! I am definitely going to order some. At this point, I will try anything.
You are so nice for saying you can ship them to me! I appreciate that.
Congrats on already hitting one of your goals. I have the same issues with my stomach during races and I don’t really know what to do about it. I’ve noticed that elites don’t use gels packs but instead take in carbohydrate drinks (sometimes dissolve the gels in water too). That’s not ideal for the rest of us, but maybe there’s a better solution. I hot the wall big time last weekend because I couldn’t get down more than half a pack at a time!
I know – I need to ask an elite athlete all the secrets! I’m thinking about making my own fuel with mashed up prunes and honey? I need to experiment a bit.
Hey, have you tried honey as a fueling option? I would try to get “real” (aka expensive, local) honey as opposed to the little packets from starbucks, but I got a smal gel container from nathan (i think it’s like 3oz) and would mix half honey and half water in there to take during long runs…I thought it worked pretty good and as long as you buy local there’s research that it helps fend of allergies (plus) AND it should be pretty easily digestible. My parents raise bees so if you can’t find honey that’s not $85 in NYC let me know and I can send you some of ours! (Local, organic, raw)
Have you tried honey stingers or Hammer gels? They are natural and more easily digestible and I really like them. If you haven’t tried them they may be worth a try.
I have tried Honey Stingers, but not Hammer gels. But I think the problem I’m having is I feel like throwing up when I take them. Then I get cramps in my stomach, once I force them down. I’m trying to think of another option? Prunes?
I totally feel you on the “I’m just not fast” mentality and the weird sense of relief you get from it. I’ve always been the slower one of my sister and I (no surprise cause she runs sub-8 min miles with no trouble!), and I’ve kind of gotten used to running at a comfortable pace.
Amen to having goals and dreaming bigger. I’m sure that after some down time your body (AND mind) will be ready to knock out some awesome new PRs!
I have the same exact thing with my sister!! She was always considered the “fast one” and the “sprinter” of the family. We were never competitive about it, it’s just how it was. But now I actually have a faster marathon PR than her
You are going to totally rock some new PRs next year!
You are doing so great! I am working on believing in myself and my speed too. I love the idea of the believe I am journal. Hoping to get one for Christmas. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Kristen! Yes, the journal is really helpful – hope you get it for Christmas
Team Flying V is for suresies on break. Team Flying V will be in full swing in 2013 so break time is NOW. Lots of break time.
#1 – I think I’m dreaming smaller. Like ehh let’s do a 3:40 marathon not 3:35. CHANGE ME.
#2 – you can have my digestive system.
#3 – dude you PR’ed like all of 2012. all over it.
Hot chocolate 10k will be some sort of game. Get ready.
I am not the fastest runner either! My PR for half marathon is 2 hours and 22 minutes. I really want to get closer to that 2 hour mark and that is my goal.
I lack in the strength training area, so I am using the month of December to get in better shape, so that when I start training for my next half, I will rock it out!
My first half marathon was something like 2 hours and 10 minutes. And now less than two years (but 9 months of “real” training) – I got to 1:45! So it is totally possible for you to hit the 2 hour mark! GO FOR IT!
Great post Jocelyn! I know it’s far too easy to focus on the future and forget about your journey to your goal. I love your journal idea. Negative thoughts have sneeky way of creeping in and it’s great to remind yourself of the positive. Good luck reaching sub 4! You can do it!
Wow. I hear you on the “I’m not fast” thing – this is just one of those demons I need to get off my back, it’s weighing me down. How did you get from those negative thoughts to bigger dreams?
And on the GI tract issues – consider High5 Isogels! They’re a UK brand but they should ship all over the world. They’re runnier than regular gels, meant to be taken without water, and might not irritate your stomach so much.