Eat, Sleep, Over-train?

Less than 4 weeks from the day that I'm supposed to run the marathon that will qualify me for the Boston Marathon I am having the most horrible training runs I have ever experienced.  Having one bad training run is to be expected every now and then....but 3 in a row?
Here is what I have come up with to explain why:

Diet? Could be, I have eaten pretty clean the last 6 months and then this past month with J working so much it has been a struggle to prepare my meals ahead. Which means I'm not eating enough and when I do, it's not the best food choices. I'm running an average of 30-40 miles a week + fitness bootcamp 3x a week...I NEED to consume enough calories to fuel my body.

Sleep? I have been dealing with some issues lately that have been weighing heavily on my mind and heart.  I have always been a great sleeper. Never tossed and turned, but the last few weeks sleep has NOT been my friend. "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."~1 Peter 5:7
I know this verse well and just need to apply it right? Sometimes easier said than done...but then I wouldn't need faith if everything was easy.

Overtraining? This is the option I like the least! Is it possible..YES.  Will I cut back on my training only 4 weeks out? NO.  Smart? I'm not sure...I've never been this close to my goal of a BQ....This week my total mileage should be 60 miles by Sunday......my concern= cutting back now could cost me in the end.

My plan in action:
Last night I took the time to plan my meals and snacks for the week.  Then, I went to bed.  WAY earlier than normal.  I left the laundry piled up, the dirty dishes in the sink, and went to bed when the kids did at 8:30pm. Because I am Type-A with a dash of OCD you have to know that I NEVER have dirty dishes in my sink....EVER.  But I woke up this morning and the funniest thing happened.....the world was still spinning!!! It didn't stop just because I went to bed early and left the house a mess.....
I realize that the pressure I feel to "keep up" is all self inflicted...no one is putting that pressure on me...except ME.
So, my goal for the next 4 weeks is to ease the pressure to "keep up" a little...get more sleep and eat better.....

as far as "over-training"....would love to hear your thoughts on that...

*Please don't forget to check out my Giveaway/Raffle HERE..you could win some awesome running swag!!


Grace and peace,

Who wants a Road ID??

In case you haven't been by my blog recently, I am having a giveaway/raffle to raise money for the Fetal Hope Foundation.
For a minimum donation of $5.00 you can be entered to win some really great prizes from Running Chics, NUUN, Allied Medal Displays, Balancing Act Clothing, Iron Girl...and today, I am adding one more prize to the package!

 Road ID

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 The winner will have their choice of either

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OR

the Wrist ID Slim:

So how do you enter?

All you have to do is make a minimum donation of $5 to the Fetal Hope Foundation

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or click on the link on my blog sidebar to find our how...

Thank you for all of your support!

Grace and peace,

Oh the paces you'll go...

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

~Dr. Seuss

First of all...if you haven't already, please check out my "runners" giveaway HERE 

Saturday I ran the Rebuilding Together 5k.  It's a flat, fast, course. Last year I set a PR with a 24:10.  This year I expected another PR...and I did.  I ran a 23:55..avg pace 7:41.  So why was I disappointed?  This year my training is twice what it was last year. I could have and should have(according to my training) run it in under 23mins.  So why didn't I?  A few factors.
I am not that great at internally gauging my pace.  I started out pretty fast and felt good...so I slowed down.  I was afraid if I went out too fast I wouldn't have anything left at the end.  I was wrong. Too much self doubt!
I finished and felt like I still had a good bit left. I have decided to run another 5k in two weeks. The Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 5k.  This time I have a friend, a Fleet Feet Racer, who offered to pace me to a PR. My goal is a sub 23.

Last night my training schedule called for 6miles w/6 strides.  

Mile 1:  8:12

Mile 2: 7:51

Mile 3: 8:20

Mile 4: 8:10

Mile 5: 8:12

Mile 6: 7:56

Most of my training for this marathon has been solo.  There have been times where I feel like I'm just not pushing myself hard enough.  Or that I was too ambitious thinking I could ever qualify for Boston. Last night, before my run I considered calling it a rest day.  I just wasn't feeling it.  I was tired..the kids have all been sick....it was cold outside.  I had come up with every excuse I could think of to NOT run.  In fact, by 5pm I was already in my pajamas and ready to have an "I can't do this" pity party.
And then....
I got mad.  I got mad at myself for letting doubt creep in.  For letting a "feeling" get the best of me. I got mad enough that I put my running shoes on and hit the pavement.
I had to remind myself that my goal to BQ is not just a "feeling". I won't always "feel" like running or stretching or eating right. But every time I choose to push through...every good choice I make gets me one step closer to my goal and makes me that much stronger.


God reminded me during my run last night:
This is also how faith works. Faith is NOT a feeling. I don't always "feel" God around me.  I can't always see Him moving and working in my life. But I KNOW that God is here always working and moving on my behalf.  There are times when I "feel" like I have come against a wall or that the devil is testing me; those are the times when I KNOW that if I push through...if I don't let my feelings and circumstances dictated to me what to do..the blessings are always on the other side...and I will always come out stronger.

You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

~Dr. Seuss 

Grace and Peace,

Please check out my giveaway HERE