MAX EXHAUSTION

In less two weeks I'll be toeing the line at my 15th marathon. (insert pause while I have a minor freak out).  As you know, the training for these babies is long and arduous.  I'm not complaining.  I choose to do them.  And, for the most part, I really enjoy the training.  But, I do tend to forget, and probably for good reason, how hard it can be to get through the final push before the taper.  If you've been reading this blog for a while, please forgive me as I'm sure I've posted about this subject many times.  And yet still, each time I get through the 'peak week' I find myself feeling like I need to share the experience with others.  Why?  Because it's funny?  Because it's borderline nuts?  Because I don't have anything else to talk about but running and how tired I am at the moment?  All of those things, perhaps??  Last week I managed (barely) to work my way through the following:
Monday - 24 mile long run
Tuesday - 8 mile recovery run
Wednesday - 11 mile interval workout (3 sets of 2 x mile at 6:30 pace)
Thursday - 8 mile recovery run
Friday - Double session (10 mile am run, 6 mile pm run)
Saturday - 8 mile recovery run
Total Miles - 75
It wasn't the most mileage I've done for this cycle, but it was far and away the most difficult series of workouts.  And by Thursday, I was hanging on by my fingernails physically, mentally and emotionally.  Case and point - as I drove my girls to school on Friday morning I found myself nodding in agreement as Taking Back Sunday sang I know you're tired.  I feel it, too.  Rosie and Grace were in the back seat rolling their eyes, clearly embarrassed and likely questioning my parental skills.  I was too tired to care.  My friend and running teammate, Kirsten, has been training with me for this race and is equally as exhausted if not more.  I think it's safe to say that we are both completely punch drunk at this point.  A typical pre-run conversation between us often looks something like this:

Note the sarcasm.  There has been a lot of it lately; along with a lot of complaining, doubting, laughing, crying and everything else you feel and/or do when you're working your ass off day in and day out.  Over the past couple weeks, people have been asking me how my training has been going for this next one.  I think my current level of exhaustion has been pretty noticeable.  Maybe it's the dark circles under my eyes.  Or maybe it's the fact that I'm typically carrying a cup of coffee regardless of the time of day.  Who knows.  My answer, however, is not much different than it's been in the past.  The training has been hard.  And I'm ready for it to be over.  And I hope it goes well.  But if it doesn't, that's okay, too.  Because despite my exhaustion, I've truly enjoyed the process.  And for me, that's what it's all about.

TOP 10 SIGNS THAT MAX EXHAUSTION HAS BEEN REACHED

1. My morning coffee is no longer kicking in the way it used to.  Double espresso??  Nothing.
2. I seriously consider lying down for a rest on any surface that looks even remotely comfortable - the grass, a park bench, the back seat of my car.
3. Not only have I been going to bed before 9:00pm, but I start thinking about going to bed around 3:00pm and by the time I hit the pillow I'm so excited I could cry (but, I don't because I'm too tired)
4. I've been apologizing to my dog because I'm too wiped to take her for our usual walks and hikes this week.  I swear she's mad at me.
5. I've been using Amazon Prime to order items that I typically shop around town for because I don't have the motivation to deal - paper towels, dish soap, gum.  I know, it's bad.
6. Every time I head into my room to take a shower I hear my bed telling me to lie down instead.
7. I've been waking up at my usual time but I physically can't get out of bed.  I have to give myself a little pep talk every morning and literally will my body to get moving.
8. I've been purchasing a ridiculous amount of music for the extra boost it gives me before and during my workouts.
9. I'm making a lot of really stupid mistakes and I'm making them often (ie. locking myself out of the house, driving right by the turn to my kids' school, wearing my running shorts inside out, etc.)
10. I've been having conversations with people - my kids, their teachers, my friends - I see their lips moving, I know they are talking to me, but I just can't process what they are saying.  I want to respond.  I do.  But, my ability to focus is fair, at best.  Again, sorry.  Just give me 2 weeks.

Listen to this:
Rule Number One - Sleigh Bells