Sally Meyerhoff: Getting my spunk back and out of a funk… November 3
Well, it’s obviously been a really long time sine I last posted a blog entry. Before the marathon I got so busy and preoccupied with other things and I kept putting it off. Well, here we are on November 3rd and I’m finally doing it.
I moved back to Tempe, Arizona after living in Eugene for a few months and I am so incredibly happy. It’s so unbelievably beautiful here and right now the weather is sunny and 80’s everyday. I got out of the 108+ degree days of July, August and September and loved the summer weather in Eugene. I slept in most days and I could run pretty much any time of the day. As the months went on I missed my family, friends, support network and the brother of my two dogs (my brother’s dog) in Arizona. I knew it would be best for me to move back and in my favorite state in the country (no bias or anything, haha 
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Since the marathon I have been in a little bit of a funk. I know it’s normal after a marathon (especially my sub-par performance) to feel totally ready for a break and have those post-race blues. I think it’s because you work so hard for so long and then the big day comes and it’s over before you know it. You have to go back to the drawing board and start all over again with new goals, training, etc. and it can feel overwhelming. Usually I take my week or two completely off and I am raring to go. This time after my vacation in Mexico and another week of lap swimming in Eugene, I still didn’t feel ready to run. I kinda wanted to but not really, haha. I ran a few days and then it was time to pack up the moving truck and drive back to AZ. I didn’t run during this because about 100 trips (no joke) up and down 3 flights of stairs is hard enough..forget running for a couple days!!
Well, after a week back in AZ, my motivation is gradually coming back, but it’s harder than it’s ever been. I am attributing it to everything I have to do (unpacking, settling in) and getting relaxed again in AZ. I have gone out to breakfast, lunch and dinner with so many friends and extended family members in town, that I’ve hardly had time to do more than unpack a couple boxes. My room is a mess!! haha I think when I settle in and I’m not surrounded by boxes, I’ll be able to focus on my training even more. I guess I need to be grateful for the distractions I have, because sometimes we need them to stop thinking, eating and breathing everything “running” day in and day out.
So here’s to today: my goal is to get completely unpacked and organize my stuff…which will hopefully result in getting my spunk back and out of this funk
Steve Rink Nov 3
Smashing Sally’s spunk is a sure thing! By Bye Funk…Hello Spunk! Great blog Sally!
Katy Nov 3
If you need some help tonight gyna I’ll be home around 5….you just gotta get back into your routine again! moving never helps that! =)
JBH Nov 4
Sally, Great run at Twin Cities, even if it wasn’t quite what you were hoping for. It so rarely all comes together at the right time in the marathon. I am planning to run the rock and roll Arizona marathon in January, and I know you have done well there. I was wondering if you could comment on how the course compares to Twin Cities (I’ve done that one too) or any advice you would have for that course specifically- I’m shooting for 2:46/Olympic Trials qualifier.
Thanks! and Good luck getting back in the groove!
Sally Nov 5
Hi JBH,
That’s great you are running RnR AZ! The course is seriously almost completely flat. There are pretty much no hills, except one small one to go over a bridge in the last few miles of the race. THere is a slight upgrade around a little after the half way mark for a mile or two but compared to Twin Cities I’d say it’s much faster. I hope this helps and good luck with your training!
Sally
Jim V. Nov 6
Sally, I checked your time and finish at the TC marathon (that same day) and thought you did great. If you don’t mind, could you talk a little about the race and what made your performance sub-par? Were you experiencing a particular problem or was it just flat out an off day? Also, since you moved so far, does it mean you will have a new coach? Finally, are you now gearing up for a particular race or will you just wait and see where your training takes you? Thank you and keep your chin up.
jimmy boy Nov 7
it was an excellent time very few american womens can even break the 3 hours barrier . sally you were just tiny hair minutes from reaching the 2:3o barrier…..i personally think you could had broken it if you would had train for 12 weeks spesific marathon training. im not sure but i think you said you only train for 6 weeks am i rigth? if not how long did you train?..
Sally Nov 7
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the note! I was not happy with my race because I barely PR’d and I truly believed I was ready to run 2:32-2:33 on even an average day and on a great day break 2:32. I think I was tired going into the race and didn’t taper enough, so my body wouldn’t respond to the faster pace that I kept trying to hold, unfortunately. I moved back to Arizona because this is where I am from and I was only in Eugene for 5 months. I will get a new coach at some point but I am not sure who yet. Right now I am just training and getting strong all around so that when I come back I am really fit and ready to go both mentally and physically. I am not 100% sure on my race schedule at the moment. Thanks for the support and take care!
Sally
Sally Nov 8
Hi Jimmy boy,
Thanks for the support
Yes I only did 6 weeks of marathon training, the shortest ever in my life, after a long and busy summer or racing. Looking back I should have taken a break in August and geared up for a winter marathon. But you live and you learn in this sport so I’m grateful that I’m young (25) and have many more opportunities to improve. The marathon is a tough event to completely master and you always learn new things in training, racing and tapering. I’m hoping my next one will be a big breakthrough! 
take care,
Sally