Search

Scary Numbers & Self-Doubt

Rectangle 58

Hi, I'm Tina!

I’m the owner of Carrots ‘N’ Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). I use macros and functional nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals.

Fit + Fueled

An in-depth, 4-week reverse dieting course for women who feel like their metabolism has slowed down, think they might have hormonal imbalance and can’t lose weight no matter what they do.
Get all the tools to take your physique into your hands. Over six-months, you’ll transform your life, mindset, and body in this program that’s part-course, part-coaching, and part-community.
Categories
weight loss

There’s something about running distances over 13 miles that bugs me out. I’ve completed a number of half marathons, so I’m totally confident with my ability to run that distance, but when it comes to anything longer, I start to question my running abilities. It happens every time.

This lack of confidence plagued me throughout most of training for my first marathon. In fact, the night before each of my Saturday long runs, I doubted my running abilities so much I’d make myself sick with anxiety and even (unconsciously) sabotage my efforts.

I still clearly remember the day that I ran 16 miles by myself  in the pouring rain. Instead of psyching myself up for the longest run of my life to date, I prepared for not being able to finish it. I broke the route into two 8-mile loops, so I had the option of stopping at home if I decided to quit. I already had it in my head that I would fail. Well, it turns out that I surprised myself that day and ran 16 miles without a single issue.

Every long run after that seemed much more possible, but I still doubted myself at times. There’s just something about those big, scary numbers that mentally mess with me.

For my second marathon, I’m really trying to keep those doubts and negative thinking out of my head. I know I am capable of running these “scary” distances, so I now I just need to go out and run them the best that I can. If you experienced runners have any advice for me, I’d love to hear it. I’m trying my hardest to keep up my confidence with those longer runs, but I need all of the help I can get!

This morning, Mal had a softball game in Cambridge near Harvard Stadium, so I decided to join him for the ride and do my long run around the Charles River. There scenery is a lot nicer there than my neighborhood!

Before I left the house, I ate my usual pre-run breakfast and then double-checked that I had all of my running gear: Spibelt, iPhone + headphones, GU Chomps and Gel, BIC Band, and Road ID.

IMG_0507 (500x373)

Remember when I wrote about my new Road ID a couple of weeks ago? Well, I decided to buy a new one. I really liked the idea of wearing one on my long runs– I definitely felt safer with it””but I didn’t like the way that the silicone band bounced around on my wrist.

When I ran with Theodora in NYC, I noticed that her Road ID had an adjustable Velcro strap, so I ended up getting the same one (Wrist ID Sport). I liked wearing this style Road ID a lot better than my old one. It didn’t bother me at all on my run today.

IMG_0515 (373x500) IMG_0513 (373x500)

I started my 14-mile run on North Harvard Street and ran toward the Charles.

IMG_0521 (500x373)

I stuck to the Storrow side of the river because it has a lot more water fountains, and I didn’t bring any water with me.

IMG_0526 (373x500)

IMG_0525 (500x373)

When I reached the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge near the Hatch Shell, I crossed over to Boston Common and ran around it twice before heading back to the Charles. It was a nice change of scenery and broke up the run for me a little bit.

IMG_0530 (373x500)

Back on the Charles, I continued along the river until I reached the Museum of Science bridge. I crossed it and then ran back to the Storrow side, so I could take advantage of the water fountains. It was 85 degrees this morning– I needed water in a bad way!

IMG_0532 (500x373)

I finished 14 miles in 2:05:25, which is whole four minutes (15 seconds faster per mile) than my last 14-miler! Whoop!!

  • Mile 1: 9:19
  • Mile 2: 9:12
  • Mile 3: 8:44
  • Mile 4: 8:35
  • Mile 5: 8:42
  • Mile 6: 8:52 <— Chomps
  • Mile 7: 8:25
  • Mile 8: 8:33
  • Mile 9: 8:59
  • Mile 10: 9:00 <— Gu
  • Mile 11: 8:41
  • Mile 12: 9:41 <— Dying
  • Mile 13: 9:31
  • Mile 14: 9:03

Total: 2:05:25 (8:57 pace)

At home, I stretched, iced, and refueled with a Marylou’s iced coffee (Will Run for Iced Coffee!) and a Dr. Praeger’s veggie burger + an egg white patty with barbeque sauce on a whole wheat Sandwich Thin. I also ate a couple of handfuls of pita chips.

IMG_0535 (500x373)IMG_0001

I’m spending my Sunday catching up with work. Boo. Hopefully, your Sunday is a lot more exciting than mine!

You Might Also Like

DON'T MISS A THING

Join the community!

Get recipes, workouts. and discounts straight to your inbox for FREE!

Join The community

Get recipes, workouts. and discounts straight to your inbox for FREE!

@carrotsncake

© 2022 Carrots ‘N’ Cake. All Rights Reserved | An Elite CafeMedia Food Publisher | Funnel Build & Design by: Maria Filipina Co.