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The Planted Runner

less stress before race day

Published 24 days ago • 5 min read

I've got something personal to share with you.

I'm dating an omnivore. ❤️

Now, if you've been following me for a while, you'll know that even though I'm 100% committed to a plant-based lifestyle, I'm not preachy or judgmental about it.

If your diet works for you and your training, awesome.

We listen, we don't judge.

So when I starting dating again, I wanted to be sure to keep an open mind. I also didn't want any preconceived ideas of "vegan" to get in the way.

That's why I'd casually suggest restaurant options that happened to have plant-based options for me, without coming right out and saying it before the first date.

And to my pleasant suprise, I was met with acceptance and curiosity instead of judgment.

And lots and lots of questions.

Which got me thinking, maybe you have some of the same ones.

And while I'd love to share all the answers over dinner with you, here's my post that should answer them all, specifically if you are a runner.

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You've put in the hard work. Don't let one week ruin your race.

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Most people mistakenly believe that the toughest week of marathon training is the week they run their longest long run.

That's a myth.

The hardest week for most marathoners is race week.

This is when doubts and overthinking creep in.

Do too much and you risk not feeling fresh on race day.

Do too little and you can end up being flat instead of fast.

The solution?

Soothe the stress of the hardest week before your marathon knowing you are prepared for the best race of your life with the Race Week Companion.

Your value-packed tool kit includes:

  • my comprehensive race week nutrition guide so you know exactly what to eat when (especially if you're plant-based!)
  • three packing checklists for local or destination races,
  • running guidelines for your final week,
  • pacing guide for any type of race,
  • my guided race day visualization (ad-free!),
  • a detailed self-assessment quiz to know how to accurately gauge your fitness based on key training factors

I normally offer this package for $199, but for you, I'm taking almost 70% off (until I change my mind...)

You've spent months, or even years, on training for your big day.

Don't let the stress of race week make everything harder on you!

Get the Race Week Companion now and learn everything you need to race with confidence.

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ask me anything

Q:

Is there anyway I can get a redo on my longest long run? Just about everything that could go wrong did and I'm scared I haven't run enough to do well in my race 3 weeks from now. My confidence is shattered.

A:

Let me paint the picture of how this might have gone.

You have the longest long run of your marathon cycle coming up. You’ve seen this bad boy on the calendar for weeks and you know it’s the pinnacle of your training.

The day finally comes. and you set yourself up for the greatest, most important training run of your life.

You get up early, eat your breakfast, pack up everything you need to nail this run and get ready for taper.

You’ve got this.

But then everything goes to 💩. Perhaps even literally.

Your legs feel like lead, your stomach is on fire, mile 8 feels like mile 24, you have to pee (again!), your watch dies, your thighs are chafing, you run out of water, you are literally going to puke if you take another gel, and finally you just quit.

You just f*$&ed it up.

Or did you?

If you have decided this one long run will ruin all your chances of a good race, despite the stacks of other runs you’ve done consistently this cycle, then it probably will.

The brain believes whatever you tell it.

The reality is that long runs are important, but one single long run, even your “most important” one, isn’t.

So yes, this one was a bit of an ego crusher, but it's temporary.

There is typcially not enough time for another really long long run, unless you shortened the planned mileage considerably. You might be able to add a couple of miles to your long run two weeks out, but you definitely don't want to overdo that one, especially if you are new to marathoning.

But what about your confidence?

Confidence comes from courageously doing things we are not confident we can do yet.

In other words, you need to do the thing before you are ready.

podcast

Lots of runners like to run a tune up race before their actual goal race. Do it right, and it can provide you valuable insights on your training.

Mess it up, and it could cost you a PR in the race you actually care about.

How can you make sure that the race you schedule before your goal is really a good idea?

On today's Planted Runner Podcast, I'm talking all about tune up races.

You’ll learn:

  • when to add a tune up race for maximum benefit and minimum risk
  • how to run your tune up race to best prepare you for your goal race, and
  • alternative ways to use tune ups in your schedule

This series is the ideal companion to your spring race training this year, so be sure to follow or subscribe to the show to make sure that you don’t miss a single one.

And don’t forget your running buddies! This is the perfect time to share this episode with a marathoner in your life to make sure you both have the best training possible.

inspo

“Most of us have enough areas of our lives where we have to meet others’ expectations. Let your running be about your own hopes and dreams.”

— Meb Keflezighi

Have a great run today,

Coach Claire

P.S. Don't wait until it's too late! Get everything you need to be race ready with the Race Week Companion. Get yours here.​

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Thank you for being a part of the Planted Runner community!

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My mission is to help runners just like you reach goals they never dreamed possible through science-backed training and plant-based nutrition.

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Since 2016, I've helped thousands of every day runners become fitter, faster, and stronger with truly customized training and coaching.

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I also love to share what I have learned from my own journey starting as a non-runner to a 2:58 marathoner at age 42, as well what I have learned coaching runners, completely FREE. I do that every week in this newsletter and on the Planted Runner Podcast.

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Being a part of this email community ensures that you first access to everything we have coming up – from free running and nutrition guides, to events like workshops and retreats, and so much more to help you get results.

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I'm so glad you're here and my inbox is always open. Feel free to reply with questions or feedback!

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If that's not for you, ​unsubscribe here​, completely guilt-free!

To change your email or preferences ​manage your profile​.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205

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The Planted Runner

Claire Bartholic

Coach Claire has helped hundreds of real runners chase their dreams and conquer what they never thought possible. Her coaching philosophy combines science-based training, plant-based running nutrition, and proven mindset techniques to unlock every runner's true potential. She's a certified vegan running coach, sports nutrition specialist, mom, and borderline obsessive plant lover. As an athlete herself, she went from a 4:02 first marathon all the way to a 2:58 finishing time at the age of 42, entirely plant-based. She coaches vegan, plant-based, and plant-curious runners to achieve the same dramatic success, from those on a walk-run program, general fitness, up to high-level athletes

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