After I got back from Disneyland, I didn't really feel like working out or running for a few days. I figured that was fine; my body needed to fully recuperate from the long race.
A few days stretched into a week. Then, a couple of weeks. I ran once in there somewhere, just for 30 minutes, and that felt fine. I could have gone longer, I think, but I didn't really want to. I also did one strength training routine and one short high intensity interval workout.
Now, here I am, with a week to go before we leave for another race weekend, and I've still only run a couple of times since Anaheim. Mostly, I've been a slug.
I think I worked so hard on my conditioning over the summer that I burned myself right out. When I get home from work lately, I just want to hole up in my sewing and make fun things and watch Disney movies. I don't want to go down to the lounge to work out or go for a run.
Tuesday night I went to a brief lecture on ChiRunning with Tricia and Heather, and that re-lit a little bit of fire for me. I went for my usual run last night with the impetus to fine tune my technique a little more. And I'm glad I went. Again, it wasn't any struggle at all to pound out 30 minutes. But even so, I didn't get that exhilarated feeling.
My plan at the moment is to run the two more times I have on my schedule before our trip, and then just take it as easy as I need to in WDW. I know things will circle around and I'll be in love with running again before long. But right now, running and I are gonna see other people.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Disneyland 1/2!
So, the Disneyland 1/2 has come and gone. That entire weekend was incredible. Incredible company -- I had a BLAST with Tricia and Dawn, incredible sights, incredible experiences, incredible running.
The 5k on Saturday was super fun, with great sights to see and beautiful weather. It felt like one of those perfect training runs where you feel great and alive and like your body really wants to run.
Sunday, on the 1/2. The city of Anaheim put on a race that was just amazing. Since Disneyland is much smaller than WDW, the course goes far off Disney property and into the surrounding streets, down to Angels Stadium and back to the House of Mouse. Having run a couple of 1/2s in WDW, where Villains and Heroes are scattered throughout the course to keep runners entertained, I worried that just running down non-Disney roads would be boring or would allow my mind to remember that I was slugging through a long run.
I needn't have fretted.
The entire course was supported by the community in a show of enthusiasm and positive energy that any town would be proud of. Local high school marching bands and cheerleaders lined almost the entire course, calling runners by name, shouting encouragement and high-fiving anyone who needed a boost. Cultural groups in the community showed their support by providing on-course entertainment like mariachi bands and Polynesian dance performances. And when we got to Angels Stadium and it was filled with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts cheering... well, that's a moment I won't soon forget. Thank you, Anaheim, for the most positive energy I've ever experienced in the course of 2.5 hours!
Which brings me to my time. As I've said before, I had a magic number in my head that I had set as a goal -- a new year's resolution, actually -- for a 1/2 marathon time this year. I've been kind of afraid of the possibility that if I didn't make that time in Anaheim, that would only leave the Wine & Dine 1/2 to make it. And there would be less than 4 weeks between the two, so I'd be fighting fatigue.
I was never sure, on course, of where I was, time-wise. There are clocks at every mile marker, but because I didn't see what time I actually crossed the start line, I could never tell if I was going to make my goal of a sub-2:30 race. I knew I was close, so close that I could easily be a little under or a little over.
When I finished, got my medals (oh, Coast-to-Coast medal, how I love thee!) and routed through the maze to the tent where the girls and I had planned to meet, I had about 20 minutes alone (in a crowd of thousands) to think about the race and my stiffening muscles and wonder whether I had met my goal. When Dawn appeared, I almost cried, just so happy to see her, and just so tired (which is a state which always leaves me weepy). She told me Brian had texted her some of the updates he had been getting through runner tracking, but she hadn't heard from him in a little while. Once Tricia joined us, we ambled back to our hotel room (how NICE it was to have a room just a brief stroll away from the finish line!) and I tried calling my beloved, but got no answer. I forgot that he had planned a DragonCon photo shoot for work that morning, so I assumed he must be there.When I finally spoke to him later that morning, he excitedly told me how proud he was that I finished at 2:30 on the dot. Hmmmm. I wanted to run this thing in UNDER 2:30, darn it. I know, at that point, it's a tiny, tiny technicality, but while I was super proud that I was 4 minutes and 34 seconds faster than my last race, I couldn't help but be bummed that one second faster would have achieved my goal.
I kept thinking about that second. I replayed every time I took a walk interval, wondering why I didn't run just a tiny bit more. I debated with myself and others about whether or not this meant I had to work to meet the goal at Wind & Dine, or if this was close enough. Exhausting just to think about.
And then, a few days after I returned to Atlanta, I checked my results online to see where I had landed in relation to the rest of the pack. Lo and behold, my official finish time was 2:29:59! The universe gave me my second back! I felt so elated, so relieved, so blissed out. Up to that point, I kept telling myself it was no big deal, but the way my heart soared at seeing my official time made me realize that one second was, to me, a huge deal. It meant the difference between a goal met and a goal nearly-met, and that gap can be immense.
Thank you universe!
The 5k on Saturday was super fun, with great sights to see and beautiful weather. It felt like one of those perfect training runs where you feel great and alive and like your body really wants to run.
Sunday, on the 1/2. The city of Anaheim put on a race that was just amazing. Since Disneyland is much smaller than WDW, the course goes far off Disney property and into the surrounding streets, down to Angels Stadium and back to the House of Mouse. Having run a couple of 1/2s in WDW, where Villains and Heroes are scattered throughout the course to keep runners entertained, I worried that just running down non-Disney roads would be boring or would allow my mind to remember that I was slugging through a long run.
I needn't have fretted.
The entire course was supported by the community in a show of enthusiasm and positive energy that any town would be proud of. Local high school marching bands and cheerleaders lined almost the entire course, calling runners by name, shouting encouragement and high-fiving anyone who needed a boost. Cultural groups in the community showed their support by providing on-course entertainment like mariachi bands and Polynesian dance performances. And when we got to Angels Stadium and it was filled with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts cheering... well, that's a moment I won't soon forget. Thank you, Anaheim, for the most positive energy I've ever experienced in the course of 2.5 hours!
Which brings me to my time. As I've said before, I had a magic number in my head that I had set as a goal -- a new year's resolution, actually -- for a 1/2 marathon time this year. I've been kind of afraid of the possibility that if I didn't make that time in Anaheim, that would only leave the Wine & Dine 1/2 to make it. And there would be less than 4 weeks between the two, so I'd be fighting fatigue.
I was never sure, on course, of where I was, time-wise. There are clocks at every mile marker, but because I didn't see what time I actually crossed the start line, I could never tell if I was going to make my goal of a sub-2:30 race. I knew I was close, so close that I could easily be a little under or a little over.
When I finished, got my medals (oh, Coast-to-Coast medal, how I love thee!) and routed through the maze to the tent where the girls and I had planned to meet, I had about 20 minutes alone (in a crowd of thousands) to think about the race and my stiffening muscles and wonder whether I had met my goal. When Dawn appeared, I almost cried, just so happy to see her, and just so tired (which is a state which always leaves me weepy). She told me Brian had texted her some of the updates he had been getting through runner tracking, but she hadn't heard from him in a little while. Once Tricia joined us, we ambled back to our hotel room (how NICE it was to have a room just a brief stroll away from the finish line!) and I tried calling my beloved, but got no answer. I forgot that he had planned a DragonCon photo shoot for work that morning, so I assumed he must be there.When I finally spoke to him later that morning, he excitedly told me how proud he was that I finished at 2:30 on the dot. Hmmmm. I wanted to run this thing in UNDER 2:30, darn it. I know, at that point, it's a tiny, tiny technicality, but while I was super proud that I was 4 minutes and 34 seconds faster than my last race, I couldn't help but be bummed that one second faster would have achieved my goal.
I kept thinking about that second. I replayed every time I took a walk interval, wondering why I didn't run just a tiny bit more. I debated with myself and others about whether or not this meant I had to work to meet the goal at Wind & Dine, or if this was close enough. Exhausting just to think about.
And then, a few days after I returned to Atlanta, I checked my results online to see where I had landed in relation to the rest of the pack. Lo and behold, my official finish time was 2:29:59! The universe gave me my second back! I felt so elated, so relieved, so blissed out. Up to that point, I kept telling myself it was no big deal, but the way my heart soared at seeing my official time made me realize that one second was, to me, a huge deal. It meant the difference between a goal met and a goal nearly-met, and that gap can be immense.
Thank you universe!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Nearing the first start line...
Despite my running burnout, I'm trucking along.
Last week, I did my last long run before the Disneyland 1/2 - a 2 hour/10 mile affair that involved blocks of 30 mins. of running interspersed with 10 minute walks. It went ok! Not exactly feeling like I could take on the world at the end, but I know I can at least finish the race.
I just have no idea about whether or not I'll manage my time goal. I am in better shape than I was when I did the Princess in March. Even then, I managed to shave 4 minutes off my previous time. Now my endurance is better, I'm stronger, I've trained much more. Theoretically, I should be able to carve down another 4-5 minutes, but there's a big difference between theory and execution.
It's hard to believe that it's all so close. Here's hoping I'm prepared!
Also, in roughly 100 hours, I will be eating my first Monte Cristo of the weekend.
Last week, I did my last long run before the Disneyland 1/2 - a 2 hour/10 mile affair that involved blocks of 30 mins. of running interspersed with 10 minute walks. It went ok! Not exactly feeling like I could take on the world at the end, but I know I can at least finish the race.
I just have no idea about whether or not I'll manage my time goal. I am in better shape than I was when I did the Princess in March. Even then, I managed to shave 4 minutes off my previous time. Now my endurance is better, I'm stronger, I've trained much more. Theoretically, I should be able to carve down another 4-5 minutes, but there's a big difference between theory and execution.
It's hard to believe that it's all so close. Here's hoping I'm prepared!
Also, in roughly 100 hours, I will be eating my first Monte Cristo of the weekend.
Monday, August 23, 2010
I Kinda Hit the Wall
I have running/training burnout.
I haven't really run in almost two weeks. I've been doing plenty of other high-intensity training, so I don't feel like I'm losing my place, fitness-wise, but I just HAVE NOT felt like running. At all.
This is not entirely surprising since I had reached a point where I was running a lot more than ever before. Too much of a good thing, you know? I hope I have not jeopardized my performance in the upcoming 1/2 marathons by taking a break. I know I need the rest, and really, that's more important than making the finish time I have in my head as a goal. We'll see what happens!
I haven't really run in almost two weeks. I've been doing plenty of other high-intensity training, so I don't feel like I'm losing my place, fitness-wise, but I just HAVE NOT felt like running. At all.
This is not entirely surprising since I had reached a point where I was running a lot more than ever before. Too much of a good thing, you know? I hope I have not jeopardized my performance in the upcoming 1/2 marathons by taking a break. I know I need the rest, and really, that's more important than making the finish time I have in my head as a goal. We'll see what happens!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Ambitious Fractions
Tuesday night, I ran for 52 minutes. A personal record for a continuous run.
Yesterday afternoon, some weird part of my brain decided I should try for a full hour, even though I'm not scheduled to do so for several weeks. I figure I do workout videos longer than 60 minutes, so why not?
So I started my run at 7:30, thinking "This makes timing easy. I'll just switch directions at 8, and aim for 8:30. If at 8:25 I feel wiped out, I'll just call it a night and be happy."
I remember at the 20 minute mark thinking I was 1/3 of the way there and that I felt ok. Then it was 1/2. Then 5/8. (Yes, I really do count out things in fractions, and not just running. Road trips, to do lists, you name it. If I can quantify some progress, I feel better.)
Once I had switched my direction, it was just ticking down the minutes to the end and seemed to whiz by.
I found myself thinking in disbelief "I'm totally going to make it!"
And I did.
Yesterday afternoon, some weird part of my brain decided I should try for a full hour, even though I'm not scheduled to do so for several weeks. I figure I do workout videos longer than 60 minutes, so why not?
So I started my run at 7:30, thinking "This makes timing easy. I'll just switch directions at 8, and aim for 8:30. If at 8:25 I feel wiped out, I'll just call it a night and be happy."
I remember at the 20 minute mark thinking I was 1/3 of the way there and that I felt ok. Then it was 1/2. Then 5/8. (Yes, I really do count out things in fractions, and not just running. Road trips, to do lists, you name it. If I can quantify some progress, I feel better.)
Once I had switched my direction, it was just ticking down the minutes to the end and seemed to whiz by.
I found myself thinking in disbelief "I'm totally going to make it!"
And I did.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
9 Mile Weekend
I was scheduled to do 8 miles this weekend.
I set out early Saturday morning planning to do 8 miles. But that didn't happen.
Around mile 5, I was worn the hell out. I was thinking 3 more in the Atlanta heat (even though it wasn't even 10am yet) was just going to be misery. Then, a distant bell rang in my head - I just recently read an article about the benefits of splitting up longer training runs when prepping for marathons. Ok, I'm only prepping for a 1/2, and I didn't read the article carefully, but as I was already registered for a 5k Sunday morning, I figured I could call it a day at 6 miles on Saturday and not feel too guilty.
So that's what I did!
Cut to Sunday AM.
Brian came down to Centennial Park with me for the race since all of our friends had conflicts. (Some of them just had warm, cozy, comforter-covered conflicts, but who can begrudge someone a sleep-in morning?) I got my number and waited for the start, enjoying the sights and sounds of a bunch of veterinarian conference attendees up way too early on a Sunday.
When the gun went off, I started running, but within two minutes, my body was flipping me the bird. It's not unheard of for me to feel sluggish at the beginning of the run and then get past it about five minutes in, but my legs just kept getting heavier and heavier. My body was all "Fuck YOU. I did SIX miles of intervals yesterday! I hate you! Bitch."
I managed to run a respectable amount of the race (probably 2/3) alternating with walking intervals, so I feel no guilt. Of course, when I got to the finish and they were all out of shirts in my size, I was a little dejected. There's allegedly a shirt coming in the mail, so we'll see what happens with that.
Despite the semi-crummy happenings of the morning, I'm still glad I did it. 1. It benefited shelter animals. 2. It's one more time that I trained my diligence and discipline muscles a little. I'll take it!
I set out early Saturday morning planning to do 8 miles. But that didn't happen.
Around mile 5, I was worn the hell out. I was thinking 3 more in the Atlanta heat (even though it wasn't even 10am yet) was just going to be misery. Then, a distant bell rang in my head - I just recently read an article about the benefits of splitting up longer training runs when prepping for marathons. Ok, I'm only prepping for a 1/2, and I didn't read the article carefully, but as I was already registered for a 5k Sunday morning, I figured I could call it a day at 6 miles on Saturday and not feel too guilty.
So that's what I did!
Cut to Sunday AM.
Brian came down to Centennial Park with me for the race since all of our friends had conflicts. (Some of them just had warm, cozy, comforter-covered conflicts, but who can begrudge someone a sleep-in morning?) I got my number and waited for the start, enjoying the sights and sounds of a bunch of veterinarian conference attendees up way too early on a Sunday.
When the gun went off, I started running, but within two minutes, my body was flipping me the bird. It's not unheard of for me to feel sluggish at the beginning of the run and then get past it about five minutes in, but my legs just kept getting heavier and heavier. My body was all "Fuck YOU. I did SIX miles of intervals yesterday! I hate you! Bitch."
I managed to run a respectable amount of the race (probably 2/3) alternating with walking intervals, so I feel no guilt. Of course, when I got to the finish and they were all out of shirts in my size, I was a little dejected. There's allegedly a shirt coming in the mail, so we'll see what happens with that.
Despite the semi-crummy happenings of the morning, I'm still glad I did it. 1. It benefited shelter animals. 2. It's one more time that I trained my diligence and discipline muscles a little. I'll take it!
Friday, July 30, 2010
When You Don't Expect It, Something Really Cool Happens
We met a new friend last night at the track. :)
Towards the end of our run, this darling woman (in an athletic skirt, no less!) had started some walk/run intervals. When we were finished stretching and headed for the stairs, she stopped us and asked us if we knew how many laps around the track made up a mile. When I told her 13, she looked shocked, then laughed. She then went on to ask a few more questions about starting a running program, nutrition for runners, etc. She said her husband had told her about our running, and it inspired her to try it.
Incredibly awesome.
Just goes to show, you don't know what you're sending out into the universe, even when you're totally wrapped up in your own little world. Getting other people moving is a great motivator for me - I will think about this encounter every time I want to be lazy.
Towards the end of our run, this darling woman (in an athletic skirt, no less!) had started some walk/run intervals. When we were finished stretching and headed for the stairs, she stopped us and asked us if we knew how many laps around the track made up a mile. When I told her 13, she looked shocked, then laughed. She then went on to ask a few more questions about starting a running program, nutrition for runners, etc. She said her husband had told her about our running, and it inspired her to try it.
Incredibly awesome.
Just goes to show, you don't know what you're sending out into the universe, even when you're totally wrapped up in your own little world. Getting other people moving is a great motivator for me - I will think about this encounter every time I want to be lazy.
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