Whelp. It happened again: a road bump in my oh-so-carefully crafted plan to make it back to the Pittsburgh half marathon for my first postpartum half.
I knew that the holidays would already put in a pause: we had 10 days in Pittsburgh visiting grandma and grandpa, where freezing weather, a lack of safe outdoor running routes near my parents’ place (something I never cease to be grateful for living in the DMV… almost enough to make up for the insane real estate prices ) and all the family time meant long runs weren’t going to happen.
Grandma and grandpa's place is CHILL. But how many loops can you make around one cul-de-sac before you're going a bit batty?
Then we had two weeks with abuelo in Mr. Every-Body-Run’s hometown of Madrid, where I knew that outside of running the San Silvestre Vallecana on New Year’s Eve, enjoying all the fun of a madrileño Navidad (and, ok, taking advantage of all the amazing wine for such cheap prices!) would also mean minimal running.
I swear, I *meant* to order a coffee... it's just ...
Except I didn’t account for picking up COVID. While it was a SUPER mild case (get your booster; this one was waaaaaay easier than my first bout. Like mild enough I got bored as I isolated in basement guest room because Tiny Overlord and Mr. EBR luckily did not pick it up), as happens every time I catch anything in my post-40 age, I was dealing with lingering congestion so I stayed off the running for another week.
Then, after only FOUR DAYS of feeling good, Tiny Overlord brought home some daycare germs that sidelined me for another week and a half (naturally, she got over it in like, a day)
As a professor, plus a natural type-A, I LOVE me a plan. It’s necessary when you’re trying to run good class, of course: you know what skills you want students to gain, so you look and that goal and carefully craft backwards to ensure you get there on a feasible, enjoyable way. And that mindset can be equally great for all manner of personal goals, half marathons included.
BUT I’m also the type who can get in a total grumpy funk when said plans DON’T work. You know how kids erupt in cheers for a snow day? Picture the exact opposite and you’ve got me watching NBC4 pleading “don’t snow on Monday! I can’t re-do my syllabus!”
Some folks here would encourage a nice Zen attitude of just let it go. Forget the plans and embrace uncertainty and all that.
I love me Leslie. I LOVE me boxed wine.
But I'd be mostly crying into it while trying to figure out how to STILL fit in my planned lesson!
If that’s you AWESOME. But it’s never going to be me!
Indeed, I once worked with a therapist who really helped me put this in perspective. I was trying to fight my anxiety by not planning, and she pointed out that was akin to trying to change my whole personality. It’s not going to work, and not healthy either. Instead, she helped me develop strategies for re-planning when things go off track in a way that’s kinder to myself.
And so that’s what I’m trying now. If you’re like me — never met a list or schedule you don’t like, take great joy in crossing things off — here’s some plan-loving-Type-A tips for getting back on track after a running setback
1. Backwards design that goal
My teacher peeps out there know this one well: backwards design just means you start with the end goal, then look at the time you have, and move from end goal through that time period to create the necessary steps and smaller goals.
For running, that’s pretty easy: wrote down the day and distance, pull out your calendar and do a little math to see how you’ll split up the work.
Yes, that's my running planner... on top of another planner!
OK OK I HAVE A PLAN PROBLEM :)
2. Pull on something motivating
We all know that when we put on some fave outfit, our whole mood can change. I often see fitness brands using this as a way to get you to shell out more. And if you want to buy yourself a treat, you do you. But both my wallet and my desire to be more eco-conscious means I’m REALLY trying to reduce buying new clothing unless absolutely necessary.
So if you’re trying to be cheap or green, or both, try what I did when I tried my first longer-than-5k since December 31: mine that closet for things that remind you of happy times.
Two fun memories on me = one happier me on the trail!
I uncovered a t-neck from the 40th anniversary of the Marine Corps marathon, a race day I remember with gorgeous weather; pulling it on reminded me I can do hard things. I also found the cool headband I got at the San Silvestre Vallecana, which was by far the most fun I’ve ever had racing. Reminders of strength and good times? A recipe for a happy run!
3. Make sure to add in fun mini-goals
When I was looking at my schedule, I was so happy I’d decided to enter the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. I’d almost cancelled this because I have a conference just before, but this iconic DMV area race is so beautiful: classic DC views, the famous flowers, fairly flat course along the river and always fun spectator support. Now, just a month from the bigger half marathon goal, it’s a perfectly motivating smaller goal.
But I’ve still got months before that, so I added in another mini goal I’ll complete by the end of this month. My amazing colleague Prof I. has been working to create this fantastic program at our community college to introduce backpacking to groups traditionally marginalized from this activity (and indeed, from higher education). It’s such a cool, well-researched program! Well when I saw that Prof. I. had created a 5k fundraiser to support it, I knew it would definitely add some pep to my plan. (And you can do this one anywhere and any time so please join me in adding this to your plan!)
Having two of these fun things to look forward to means the setback doesn’t sting anymore.
Me and Tiny Overlord are back at it!
Getting sick, getting injured, getting bogged down in work or responsibilities— it’s part of the plan of adulting that can mess up our runner plans. But hopefully, we can re-shuffle and re-set in a way that makes the new “route” even more fun!
