Marathon Training & Negative Mind Games

I’ve drafted three different posts over the past week to talk about my running emotions. Each time I’ve made it about half way through the draft and then closed my computer out of frustration. I found that each post was filled with negative thoughts and energy, something I never want to pass on to my readers. It’s one things to share my emotions, whether they are positive or negative, but it’s another to pass on an unproductive, negative energy.

Instead of publishing or finishing these posts I spent my time talking with people instead. During our run on Saturday I voiced my marathon concerns to Bo. Via email I’ve talked with Theodora, Melissa Z and Gia about the negative mind games and frustrations I’m feeling and experiencing recently. Each person shared a different perspective with me which I feel has left me in a far different position and mindset today than I was just a few days ago.

Let me briefly summarize for you the thoughts I shared with each of these women.

  • Over the past 3 weeks any run beyond four miles has felt like work.
  • Running alone is not fun, regardless how gorgeous the scenery is.
  • My body, primarily back and shoulders, are very sore due to my temporary bed in Geneva. The mattress is the hardest and most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever laid on for an extended period of time.
  • I haven’t run further than 9 miles in more than a month.
  • My marathon is 10 weeks and 4 days from today.

Last week was the worst week of training I’ve experienced mentally in years. Every run felt like work. My back and shoulders were in so much pain that it hurt to run even five miles.

Instead of enjoying the gorgeous sunrise, cool temperatures and beautiful scenery my mind filled with doubt and anxiety during each run. I would spend almost the entire run calculating the number of weeks until my marathon and trying to figure out whether going from 8 miles to 26 was even possible.

I drafted an email to my best friend Amy, who is running the marathon with me as her first, explaining that I needed to drop down to the half marathon. I thought about the post I would write to share the news with readers.

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Then, during our run together on Saturday, Bo provided me with some much needed advice that changed things.

Give my body and mind two weeks of positive thoughts, nutrition, sleep, support, and workouts before making a marathon decision.

I immediately asked Gia to review my training and put together a plan for the week. Bo and I spent time dreaming of great long run routes for this week’s long run in London. I made a new playlist filled with a variety of music. I downloaded some Jillian Michael podcasts based on recommendations from Theodora and Melissa Z. I spent time thinking about what I loved most about running in New York City. Last but not least, I found another Geneva running buddy. As if someone was listening to all my fears, a fellow runner moved to Geneva on Friday and emailed me to see if I’d be interested in running together. She went to high school with Meghann’s husband and this morning we enjoyed a great run together, talking the entire time. Wouldn’t you know that these were the easiest 4.75 miles I’ve run in 3 weeks. Our pace was right on target and I even pushed myself all the way up the final hill towards my flat.

IMG_3654Sometimes, all that is needed is a change of attitude. I’ll check in after my long run this week to let you all know how things are going and whether the change in attitude and getting out of my own head helps.

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24 Hours in Photos

Last night at 5pm I received an email letting me know that my new iPhone was ready to be picked up in our office IT department. Let me tell you, after almost two weeks without a phone I was one happy girl! I stayed up until 11 last night talking on the phone with my parents, brother and Bo. Each conversation was so special as it was our first chance to have a regular phone conversation versus having to make Skype plans. Suddenly, in that moment, I felt re-connected to my loved ones.

I thought it’d be fun to catch you up on the last 24 hours with photos since I finally am able to capture pictures and memories again!

I’m off to London for the weekend as it’s Bo’s birthday! I can’t wait to explore city with him! We have no plans but I’ll be sure to share our adventures on Instagram and check in tomorrow with another post. I’ll most likely talk about my marathon training stress as that is at the forefront of my mind right now.

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Geneva Thoughts #1

It’s been more than 10 days since I arrived in Geneva and while it is definitely not home yet nor am I “all settled in” as people keep asking, it’s starting to feel a bit more comfortable.

This morning during my run I spent the 5 miles thinking about the experience thus far and trying to process some of the experiences. Here is a list of thoughts that came to mind in no particular order. I titled this post with a #1 as I’m sure this will be the first of many posts like this. 

Once I get a camera or iPhone my posts will become far more regular as I’ll have pictures to share. Until then, you get to enjoy my random thoughts. Also, this stock photo is exactly what I experienced this morning at 5:45 as I ran around Lake Geneva. I stopped at one point and just sat for a few minutes towards the end of my run to reflect on the amazing blessing that I have right now. Within a 12 hour time period I watched the sunset while swimming in the lake and watched it rise while running along the lake path. (source)

Sunrise at Lake Geneva Stock Photo - 9449404

– I really miss having an iPhone but not for the reasons my mom or Bo would expect. I don’t miss the social media aspects. I miss being able to easily call my friends and family. I miss having texting to make plans or confirm sharing funny events and pictures. I miss Instagram as my way to share Geneva with everyone. I miss Google maps immensely, especially when after walking for 45 minutes you realize you’ve walked the wrong direction and you can’t find anyone who knows where the small street your walking is located.

-Skype is absolutely amazing.

-Learning French is very difficult when you’ve retained more than you realized of your Spanish minor. Today my French tutor cried he was laughing so hard at my “Sprench.”

-It felt wonderful to dedicate 90 minutes to speaking and learning a new skill. It’s been a while since I had something to study like a new language and I’m welcoming the challenge.

-Swimming in lake water which is clear is far more pleasant than swimming in water that is murky.

-I am willing to spend more money on fresh produce from the farmers market but I haven’t missed Starbucks or other processed foods, except peanut butter.

-According to Google Maps there are no running stores in Geneva. At first I thought this must be false information but after speaking with people it seems to be the case. Looks like my friends will be bringing me new running shoes and Shotblocks for marathon training.

-I am very thankful for the friends I have in Geneva. Without the support of Nico and Renaud, making this move would have been far more difficult. For those of you who have asked, we became friends while working together previously within P&G.  Now I am blessed to have four friends in the Geneva P&G office whom have been absolutely amazing. They have invited me to evening and weekend events, answered my numerous questions and help me understand the Geneva culture both within and outside the office. Next Monday I am bringing the four of them together for the first time for an evening on the lake. It should be quite reflective of this international city and office: 1 Scotchman, 1 Frenchman, 1 Belgian, and another US Expat.

-People send Outlook invitations for lunch. As I mentioned, the lunch hour is sacred. This means that people value that time and plan in advance how they’ll spend it. Sometimes you’ll receive a networking invite. Other times its a friend who wants to catch up on the weekend events. But, it is safe to say that most people have their lunch calendar filled a week or so in advance.

-Using appliances is very difficult when the knobs and dials are all labeled in French or German. It’s even harder when the manufacturer doesn’t have manuals on their website translated.

-I will be learning to drive manual again in a few weeks. Almost all cars in Switzerland and France are manual versus automatic. Bo and I plan to buy a used car to enjoy on the weekends which means the likelihood that we’ll be able to find an automatic is slim to none. My dad and I may just have a driving school when my parents are here in September. It will take him back to the days when I was 15 and we did circles and parallel parking drills in the school parking lot.

-I didn’t realize how much I missed water sports and being in water until I arrived. While I realize I had views of the water when I ran along the Hudson and East River in NYC, it’s a bit different when you can actually go in the water and see your hands and the fish swimming around you. There is nothing like ending a long day with two hours on the lake watching the sunset with friends.

-Floor to ceiling windows in an office make a world of difference. My desk faces the mountains and has afternoon sunlight which is perfect for keeping up my energy levels and soothing my soul during a stressful moment.

-I miss our furniture more than I thought. I figured that having temporary furniture would be fine but it’s been 10 years since I lived in a dorm setting and I don’t miss the furniture style one bit. Cooking with limited tools and having a very uncomfortable couch to sit on doesn’t make one want to be at home very much.

-I lost 8 pounds in the first 10 days here. I was doing nothing to try and lose weight but I think it is in keeping with the European way of life. I walk over 2 miles each day in addition to my run, I have eaten barely any processed foods since arriving, I’m less stressed, and I am sleeping 7-8 hours each night.

-I love living in another city with amazing and efficient public transportation. Taxi cabs are EXCEEDINGLY expensive here and I believe that one of the reasons is that the only people who need them on a regular basis are tourists and business travelers who don’t understand or care to use TPG, the Geneva tram and bus system.

-I have a new appreciation for the written word. Due to the time change getting people on the phone isn’t that easy. I’ve been sending my parents and Bo daily notes, sometimes paragraphs and other times 1-2 sentences, capturing the day’s adventures. In addition, I cried last night when I received my first letters from friends back in the states. Who knew a simple postcard could be so powerful. My friend Katie made it fun by asking me questions at the end. I thought I’d capture the questions and answers here for you guys!

What is my favorite French word so far? Bonjour. It’s the only French word I truly believe I can pronounce appropriately at this point. Please see above “Sprench” reference for more information.

What new food do I love and what do I miss? I am 100% in love with bircher rouge with is bircher museli made with berries. I have had it every morning for breakfast and while I have no clue what the calories or ingredients are I know it is made fresh each morning and that I lost weight the first 10 days here so it must be living up to it’s superfood reputation. I miss peanut butter and ice. Ice is available but not quite as common as it is in the states.

-I definitely miss my friends and Bo but at the same time I am so thankful for this opportunity that I have to focus on that. I have made a priority to write letters, emails, and Skype with people more than I would have previously while on vacation or business trips. Bo and I have talked all but one night via Skype and having that time to connect has made a world of difference.

-I’m really excited for my first London weekend with Bo this weekend!

That’s all I can remember for now. If you have any random questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them and share in future posts.

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