Monday Marathon Training Mental Prep & Last Long Distance Run

Rereading my Zandvoort Circuit Run 2012 is a great mental prep for my last Rotterdam Marathon #MR15 long distance training run.  

My  Zandvoort Circuit Run
Left - 2012
Right - 2014

Reposted this picture on my

happyfeetnl
Instagram account

to cheer fellow runners.

Rejoicing for others keep your running goals alive, I've learned.

13 days to go to Marathon Rotterdam, 

and here are #MyRoad2Rotterdam facts:



1. From November (my official start of training) until March (not counting the mileage of today and tomorrow), I've ran a total of 439.01 km. 

Not much compared to an average runner preparing for their marathon. 

Compared to my *own* stats and preparation for my previous marathons (Berlin, Amsterdam & Marathon de Paris) though, this has been my highest training mileage.

My last run (11 km) in November in Scheveningen,
completing a 125 km in a month,
made me completely commit to the idea of running
Rotterdam Marathon

An image I posted on my
 @HappyFeetNL 
Instagram account
on the 9th of December, 2014
officially announcing my
Rotterdam Marathon goal

2. In January, I ran my first long distance training run of 25 km. 

This has been the longest distance I've run, since my injury in July-August 2013 (completely recovered end of 2014).

No Morton Neuroma (foot nerve injury) pain!

Sunday, 25th of January

25 kilometers

In February, I ran 2, 25 km officially, one is actually 29 km but it did not record because the battery of my sport watch was empty by kilometer 25.

Sunday, 1st of February
25 kilometers

Monday, 23rd February
25 kilometers
(29 but only 25 kilometers got recorded
with the sportswatch due to empty battery)

In March, I ran my first race for this year, a half-marathon in the Hague.  

It was my test run to gauge the status of my condition, as well as consider the eventuality of choosing another marathon, should my training not be enough to finish within the time limit in Rotterdam.

CPC Run 2015

Sunday, 8th of March

Half-marathon race

Middle of March, I wanted to run 32-35 km as a final long distance training so I can confidently go to the start on the 12th of April. Alas until today, I have not managed it yet.



3. From December to March, I have been sick almost every month. 

It is a persistent respiratory infection. 

This is  why I had to rest a week to a couple of weeks and go back to training again; a re-occurring cycle of the past 3 months.

posted on Instagram

5th of January

posted on Instagram

17th of December, 2014

My marathon goals has always been to get myself regularly outdoors, for Rotterdam marathon run at least 100-150 km/month, and finish still running to the finish line.

So far I have managed the first two goals, and in two weeks, I'll see if I will accomplish the third.

taken
Monday, 23rd February
during my
25 kilometers 
training run

4. With my minimal(istic) training, my body has been prepared to continuously run/move from 4-6 hours in a slow consistent pace.

My previous marathon experiences assures me now, that I will be mentally strong enough to finish the distance. 

If I manage a strong run for my last long distance training, today or tomorrow (either 35/15 km or 15/35;  will also try 18/32 or 32/18 km )  I will have the assurance that I will be physically able to run the whole distance as well.

But perhaps not within the prescribed finish time of 5:30.

5. I'll be starting on the 12th of April, depending on my run today and tomorrow. 

If I finish strong, and taper well in the next 12 days, you'll find me at the start! 

If during the event itself, I feel that I won't finish on time, I'll be stepping out @ kilometer 35, and see the day as a long distance training for a marathon I will run in May or June.

Currently looking for a bib
for the ING Luxembourg Night Marathon!

6. This marathon training has given me a lot  - the opportunity to learn new important lessons, and apply the old lessons in running I have learned in the past 3 years.

My friendship with long time friends (non-runners as well!), as well as with new friends have also deepened because of this marathon adventure.


7. I am happy I took the first step towards Rotterdam Marathon.

Once again, I wish everyone all the best in the last couple of weeks of training/tapering! Don't forget to pat yourself on the back for all the hard work of the last months!



All my previous blogs related to Marathon Rotterdam Training :

Dealing with Unfinished (Running) Business, and Recycling Goals
March Onwards to #MR15
Marathon Training in My Mind: My 25Ks & Entering the 30Ks Zone
Easy Sunday Come Back Run
The Road to Rotterdam 2015: Update!
Monday Marathon Training Recap: #MR15Reloaded
#HFNLRunDiary2015: Friday Night Run

Every Blog is A Beginning : Revisiting Zandvoort Circuit Run & Off to New Adventures!

This post is the 2nd entry to the blog series Every Blog is A Beginning...

A motivational poster
from Karen Salmansohn, an author I admire,
& a beautiful soul I take inspiration from

The motivational poster above has been my Facebook Cover for the last 3 weeks.  Empowering words I have kept repeating to counteract many negative thoughts, which arises every time I spur the prick of my Morton's Neuroma.

The words "Never Give Up" has been very effective not only in empowering my running spirit but over all in my daily life. :) 

In the running front the "Never Give Up" spirit has this year given me my 4th running bling!

My second Zandvoort Circuit Run bling.
Ran yet again a 5K in the 7th year of this event, like I did for the first time 2 years ago.

The day was fantastic (tomorrow a blog recap of the race)! Beautiful weather, and most importantly beautiful spirit all around.

Happily showing my family my Zandvoort Circuit Run medal.
Around my wrist is a Protector Bracelet from Kelly of Lunatik Athletiks.
Story behind it is in the blog:
2013: A Year of Thanks. A Positive Year.
Today, I wore the bracelet to help me focus on my goal of simply having fun on the run.

My family came along to cheer for me. Their presence in the race events have become rare as my running years accumulate, and for this reason each time they are there, it is more special.

Love this photo which the oldest took.
Without mijn liefste P, my running experiences would be less colourful. :) ♡

I treasure these moments!

What's next?!

Stick around this week for a whole lot of updates! :)

Fresh Impressions of My First Zandvoort Circuit Run

Since Happy Feet in the Netherlands is still a relatively new blog baby for me, I'm still in the process of streamlining how I can make it more efficient to blog running experiences on the same timeline it happened.  At least on the same day if not right after it happened.

The first year would be a lot of experimentation until I get the perfect, or at the very least an ideal recipe for leading a balance life: juggling family life, with my many passions, of which blogging and running are big parts of.

Today, I participated for the first time in Runner's World Zandvoort Circuit Run. Tonight, I'll share my first impressions on my experience, and next time I'll be writing details of the unforgettable event itself.

It is easier for me to write when I think of who I am writing for, and in this case it's the same.  This post was first published on my FB for my family, friends, fellow bloggers and running buddies:

What an amazing day! :)

Today’s run earned me a PR in a 5K; my running time has improved by 8 minutes! It does not sound much but every single minute for a runner i.e. for beginner runners are monumental – at least for me, I consider each single minute I am faster as being wonderful! How can I share my joy to you, that you can feel this over-flowing happiness for what seems like a simple achievement?!

The only way I can is as usual through an image, that captured the essence of the joy, a quote I meditate on to relish a personal fulfillment, and these thoughts I now write.

While looking for an inspiring quote to go along my Runner's World Zandvoort Circuit Run 2012 collage , I stumbled upon this one:

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.
-Wayne Dyer

I dare say, it can also be applied to running.

This is the best running event I’ve ever participated in not only because my entire family was all healthy enough to come along, all in good spirits, & all there with cheers and proud smiles to support me. It was not only because it was such a lovely Spring weather, and the music & the athmosphere along the course was celebratory. It was also because after over half a year of running, I truly felt one with running. 

Yes, I dreamt about running as being something I could call my own for a very long time, and when I finally did start, it opened so many worlds for me, I never expected would. I began with running as I neared a milestone in my life : turning 40. No expectations whatsoever, not even 5 years plan, like I tend to do with so many life endevours. It was plain and simple: JUST DO IT now OR I might never ever begin.

Along the way, I was confronted with my own personal demons, thinking I am not good enough, not strong enough, not disciplined enough, not focused enough, and the list went on and on and on.

Running is a personal adventure, an odyssey to your-self, a discovered self. Once you commit yourself to taking on the challenge, and give it your very best, consistently, you will experience, just like with anything you do in life - you’ll receive what you give.

This is how I experienced today. A magnificently rewarding day, that made me feel I AM a good runner, a strong runner, a disciplined & focused runner.

I dreamed of running; I finally run; I worked hard at it. I learned from my mistakes, I forged on, & focused on my motivations.

If I can do it, anyone can. :)