Need motivation girls

[rocknrollgirl]

Do you get a T-shirt? That is always our fall back around here if race day is looming and motivation is hard to find. Go have fun, get a T-shirt, maybe some swag in a goodie bag, meet some nice runner type people...

Do the half...
I always look at this way, even if I go and suck it up, at least I am not at home on the coach like most of the country, or shopping for shoes like most of the women I know....


Ruth

[btchance]

Yeah, I'm probably going to keep working at it, try to get a couple more long runs in and just play it by ear. Maybe the duathlon will help this weekend. Oh, and I did a short run today and enjoyed it again. Last weekend was probably just the pressure of the presentation, being exhausted from call, and knowing that I need to recover for this weekend.

Thanks girls!

[Lise]

Believe me, bt, I know about being exausted from call and conflicted about going running, or just too tired to even think about it. Sounds like your spirits are up a bit. I know you're in no position to determine your own schedule, but perhaps you could make some switches with another student if you need to. If it comforts you at all, last year I decided to do the marathon a bit late in the season. I completely spaced on putting in a request for days off before or after. As a consequence, I worked two days and three night shifts the week before the race. One of the docs I worked with was appalled to see me on the unit late at night again that week. "Aren't you running a marathon on Sunday? You should be in bed!" Problem was, everybody who could switch with me had requested those days off for various reasons. So I did the work, and ran the marathon.

The day of the race, I had plenty of energy. The excitement and power of the crowd really infused me. My words of wisdom to you are: Nourish yourself very, very well for the next month. You don't have much control over your hours or your tests or anything else, but you can control how you eat. I believe that makes a big difference. And come back here any time for encouragement!

[MomOnBike]

One other thought, bt, beating up on yourself takes a lot of energy that could be used for more productive things.

You have a lot on your plate, don't add to it with guilt.

[btchance]

Lise, I wish I could request those days off, but I've already requested Thanksgiving weekend, and you only get 1, maybe 2 weekends off a month. Going home that weekend is much more important to me than the 1/2 mary since I haven't seen my family since my step-mom died in February, and since then my Dad has had a lot of health problems and my grandma died. So obviously, family is much more important. And unfortunately, the way the call schedule works is that you either have Friday Sunday call with rounding around 8am Saturday, or Saturday call beginning at 8am. I'll just have to play it by ear and hope for Thursday call.

As far as the race goes, I'm just going to wait until the week before and see how I feel. If I'm ready for it, then I'll just sign up then (luckily the fee is very cheap). If not, then I'll just not do it.

My main motivation for this was to improve my running for tris next year. If I never get past this point, it's still done it's job. I know I have the ability to do the long runs, longer than the Olympic distance, so when the time comes, mentally and physically I'll be more prepared. And with these longer distances I have noticed I'm getting faster, which is all I can ask for.

MomOnBike, don't worry, if this starts to interfere with school, I'm not going to do it. Right now that's the most important thing, and running, biking, and tris are all supossed to be my escape from the stresses of medicine. It works great, I just have to keep my competitive side squashed a little, and remember it took years and years for me to get to the level I was at with the horses, and that this is the same way. I skipped very important shows back then to study, and I will do the same now. I just get that doubt in my head when people comment on how they don't understand my ability to do both. But then, most of them come home and watch a couple of hours of tv a night. I tried to get some friends to do this duathlon with me this weekend, but they haven't started studying for the mini-boards in 2 weeks, so they're craming this weekend. I've already finished one review book, and am 1/2 way through another, so taking a few hours off that one morning won't affect my grades in any way. I just get the negative comments about it, that I'm not dedicating enough time to my studies, when I know I am, and that gets to me sometimes.

Whew, I went off on another rant, sorry girls!

[Lise]

Balance is elusive, bt, but it sounds like you're doing well with the studying, and some athletics may keep your mind and body fresher. Hang in there, and rant any time you want on here! L.

[chickwhorips]

hang in there chica. do what you feel your body can take (half or whole). i say do the half for sure. your trained to do it and you'll have fun doing it. though if it comes down to that day where you do have to work, then so be it. i don't think you should give up now though. your doing a good thing for yourself by being out there. keep up the good work!!!!