Reflect/Reset February & March 2023

Reflect/Reset is a series on the blog and will be published at the beginning of the month. In this series of blog posts, I will be sharing details about the previous month of training and sharing my training plans for the month ahead. I will reflect on the past month and reset to create space for the experiences that await in the new month.

Reflect: February

February was a grind-it-out month where I realized I was deep in marathon training. I had spoken to my coach about my goals for this training cycle (#1 goal is to find joy in the process) in January and had mentioned wanting to work my way up to a 22-mile long run; not for the physical benefits (there probably won’t be any with my pace), but for the mental benefits.

Sometimes running is a dance between the physical and the mental and, when it comes to marathon training, I have enough confidence in my physical ability to get the distance done, but I still falter when it comes to my mental ability. So, I want to put more emphasis on the mind and in helping my mind catch up to my body. Part of this has been adopting an “I Get/Just Try” mental approach to running. It’s a reframe from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this” and “I don’t think I can do this” to “Just try and see what happens.”

Let me tell you: game changer. For the first time in a very, very long time, I have looked forward to my long runs. I was even excited for my first 20-mile run! I couldn’t believe it! It’s all because of the mental work I have been doing and all the reminders of “I Get/Just Try.” No one said running was easy. I know running isn’t easy, but when I remember the choice I am making to run, I find gratitude in the hard, tough, and challenging places.

February Stats:

• 155.9 miles total

• 39 miles average weekly

• 20 runs total

• Longest run: 20.03 miles

• Shortest run: 4.07 miles

• Favorite workout: Tempo runs, surprisingly! Mostly because I have been amazed at what my body can do.

• Most memorable moment: Finishing my first 20-mile run of this training cycle.

• What supported running this month: Naps and strength training. I’ve been continuing to be intentional about my rest, but I’ve added taking strength training more seriously this month. I can’t rely on running alone to help me feel strong on the run.

Reset: March

I can officially say I am running the London Marathon next month! Holy smokes, has this training cycle gone by quickly. As I write this at the beginning of the month, it amazes me to think that I have about 6 more weeks of intense marathon training left. This training cycle has gone by so quickly. Part of that fast feeling has to do with the mental work I’ve been doing to be fully present for each run, but I also think part of it has to do with the different time of year I find myself training in for London. Winter training is way better than summer training! So, March will be all about continuing to develop my mental capacity to handle marathon training while taking advantage of cooler temps. The goal will be to continue showing up to each run with an “I Get/Just Try” mentality and to find the joy (and purpose) in each run. Rest will be high on the priority list, as will be nailing my overall nutrition so that I feel strong on my runs.

On the racing front, I have the 305 Half Marathon on March 5th. No time goals here, but I do plan on enjoying this hilly course as prep for the London Marathon hills. People have told me London is a flat course, but coming from sea-level-Miami, any kind of elevation feels hard.

 Note: You can support me on the road to London by donation to my #TeamSunshine Rays of Sunshine fundraising campaign here.