• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fitness Fatale

Fitness Fatale

Conquering Fitness Goals One at a Time

  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Workout Program Options
      • 21 Day Fix Resources
      • P90X Resources
    • PRs & Race Reports
    • Pregnancy
      • Twin Pregnancy
    • Recipes
  • Coach Business Mentorship For Runners
  • Beachbody Accountability Groups For Runners
  • Show Search
Hide Search

You are Stronger Than You Think: 2020 Carlsbad Half Marathon Race Recap

Mental toughness in running is something that is often overlooked. You’ll often get tips on speed workouts, tempo runs, long runs, running form and marathon fueling, but it’s not quite as common to hear that something has been working on the mental side of racing.

For me, the physical stuff is easier. The mental part of racing has been a work in progress for me for quite a long time. If you’re still reading and found me waaaay back when I started this blog, you’ll know that I started to get in my head about running once I set my goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

At my first attempt, I had what I think was a panic attack early on in the crowds, and DNF’d (dropped out of the race) at my first Boston Marathon qualifying attempt at the Eugene Marathon.

That began a battle of my mind – I’d overthink when the race wasn’t going my way and sometimes even self-sabotage!


The Mental Side of Running

I’ve come a long way in my mental game but it’s still a work in progress. My race at the 2020 Carlsbad Half Marathon was a victory on the mental toughness side of racing!

This was a training race after taking about 5 months off from any structured training or speed work. I’ve been focusing so much on strength training (Morning Meltdown 100 and 6 Weeks of the Work) and running for fun – but I’ve also been training my brain to push through discomfort & stay POSITIVE when things get hard. Not just in fitness but in life. ⁣

Early on in the race I unintentionally ended up running just ahead of the 1:50 pace group, which was the finish time I’d secretly hoped to beat.⁣

Learn about the 2020 Carlsbad Half Marathon Race and how to push through the mental challenge of running.
The 1:50 pacer!

I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve let a pace group pass me during a race and it triggered me to mentally give up. The most significant time this happened was at the Phoenix Marathon in 2014. I had a moment of PTSD when I saw the shadow of the pace sign behind me starting around mile 3, but I quickly made a vow to NOT let that be my story anymore.⁣

But this time, I let that pace group PUSH me rather than scare me.

Learn about the 2020 Carlsbad Half Marathon Race and how to push through the mental challenge of running.

I told myself I would not let them pass me even on the hills, which I’ve let myself believe is a weakness of mine in the past.⁣ As we climbed one of the steepest climbs on the course, I considered letting them pass me, justifying that I could easily catch back up. But instead of letting them pass, I focused on moving my feet as far ahead with each step as I could and using my glutes to push myself up the hill, just like my Seaside Striders run club coach had told me. And it worked!! For the first time in a long time, I did not get dropped on a big hill!  ⁣

I had asked for some racing mental tips on Instagram and I started to use them.

I dedicated mile 8 to Amolia Cesar, the super trainer from my new favorite program, 6 Weeks of The Work. During my workouts in 6 Weeks of the Work, I often had to dig deep to push myself harder than I thought and his coaching style was SUPER motivating to me. He would say that “resting your hands on your knees is a sign of weakness.” I kept imagining him there when it felt hard, pushing me forward. 

Learn about the 2020 Carlsbad Half Marathon Race and how to push through the mental challenge of running.

The highlight of the race was hugging my girls and my husband around mile 9. Without even thinking I jumped off the course to grab them and hug them. I swung Siena in the air and she covered my face with kisses. It was a moment of pure pride knowing I was setting an example for them.⁣ 

When I hopped back into the race, the pace group was ahead but I quickly made it my mission to pass them again and I did. I had gotten a wave of adrenaline by seeing my family but when it wore off, I was starting to hurt. I told myself that I could live with this level of discomfort and that “pain is temporary, pride is forever” (which used to be my race mantra). I told myself that discomfort is part of the process. When we went up yet another hill, I repeated a John Maxwell quote, “Everything worthwhile is uphill.”⁣

Carlsbad Half Marathon Race Results

When I finished the race, I achieved my goal of giving it everything I had. It was a bonus to beat my goal time with a 1:49:44- the victory for me is knowing that I couldn’t have given it any more and that I did not give up.⁣

Carlsbad Half Marathon splits from Strava

I feel so happy about this race. I ran it very mentally tough and my splits were super consistent. I was able to finish strong. I feel like it’s a good sign of a solid foundation that I can build on over the next few months. I have a goal to PR in the half marathon this year (that would be under a 1:40:03, from the 2014 Rock n’ Roll Marathon) .

My next race is the San Diego Half on March 15th – I am excited to see how much progress I can make toward my goal by then and then I’ll probably choose another goal race for later in the year. I’m doing the new Beachbody program Barre Blend with my training and so far it’s been a great compliment! 

Exciting things to come in 2020!! 

PS My next virtual bootcamp starts on Jan 27th!

Do the new Barre Blend or any Beachbody program along with your running and join our community of moms and runners as we keep each other accountable and have fun!

Click here to get more info or join.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

January 21, 2020 By fitnessfatale Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Running

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Stronger, Healthier & Faster Together!

I am specialize in working with runners to help them incorporate strength training & nutrition into their running routines.

I am passionate about mindset and love to help people find more joy and success in their running by breaking through mental barriers.

While weight loss is a result of our programs, women in my groups often find that they are running faster, are less injury prone, and have more energy and confidence!

I am the founder of Team Run the World, a group of BODi coaches who love running! I provide mentorship, support and training for women who want to start their own coaching business from home and work flexible hours.

I would love to help support you in reaching your goals!

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Fitness Fatale

 

Loading Comments...