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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Running Withdrawls

I haven't run now for 10 days, and I can't take it. Running has become such a big part of my life, it is almost part of my daily routine. I feel like I haven't brushed my teeth!
There are different philosophies out there on proper race/marathon recovery, but I made a decision beforehand that I (or rather, my joints) needed a good chance to heal up before I begin the highest intensity training I've done yet. After all, I started training for my first 1/2 in March 2010, and haven't given myself more than a week rest at any point since then, not even in the winter.
My knees still hurt when I walk up and down stairs. I need to stick with my plan.
The funny thing is that I've been doing other types of workouts plenty. I've been lifting weights and hiking, and will be going on a nice, long, 4 day hike starting this sunday. Its not like I'm going to get out of shape. But it just doesn't feel right. Running is such an efficient and easy way for me to burn tons of calories, that I've come to rely on it.
Like all addicts, I'll just have to survive through this until the next fix.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

VICTORY!

26.2- Conquered! Here are my thoughts:
#1- Miles 20-26 were not that much different than 18-20. It just lasted longer. I am certain that this is because I did everything mostly right, specifically during the race. I took it nice and slow, like I did during my training, ate constantly after mile 9, took ibuprofen, and stopped at every water stop after mile 6. This race was not, "hilly" it was "mountainy," so I eventually started walking every hill, even though I never did so during my training. I never ran hills that steep though, either.
#2- I can do that again. At times during my training, I thought this might be my last. I had the same conversations with myself when first training for the 1/2, and felt the same way after completing my first one. I should have known myself better.
#3- I'll probably never run a race that difficult again. Not because I don't want to, which I don't, but more because even the "50 state club" runners all around me were in awe at the difficulty of the course.
#4- I can improve a lot. Next time I train, I can set a goal for a P.R. and likely beat it. If you're a runner, you know that this is half the fun.
#5- I already have a goal! Boston 2013. The saga continues.
In the meantime, I'll keep this active. Right now, I'm resting for the rest of the month to give my body a chance to heal. Then I'll switch gears to my remaining two goals for the year:
sub-50 minute 10k
sub 1:50 1/2
To accomplish these goals in the condition I'm in and for my own sanity, I'm giving myself a pretty lax training plan. Since I know I will be fine with the distances, training is all about speed. I've never done much speedwork, so I'm sure even just a little will get me the 3 minutes I need in the 10k and 4 in the 1/2. When it gets closer, I'll update my current training plan to reflect changes.