Here I find myself exactly 24 hours before the gun goes off for the start of the long awaited PF Changs race (http://www.rnraz.com/home.html). It’s actually two years in the making for me, and it’s been a long, at times grueling, road. I know I’ve pushed my body past the place it wants to go, and well beyond what most non-runners would find reasonable. I’ve spent months in physical therapy, and endless miles running over the past two years in order to get to tomorrow. And part of me feels really good. But part of me is filled with so much trepidation over the looming possibilities that come with running with injuries. I’m confident I’ll finish, but I’m not as confident I’ll get to do it in the time I’ve worked so hard to condition my body for. It’s a good thing hope has a funny way or replacing doubt with optimism.
I’ve finished my last training run, and put my body through the last of therapy, so now it’s a waiting game. I’ll spend the next 24 hours continuing to hydrate, carb load, and most importantly to stretch. I’ve got my clothes picked out, I’ve updated my iPod that’s now charging, and I can already feel the start of the race day jitters. It’s amazing that no matter how much you prepare, those will always come. I feel like if you take my knees out of the equation I could go out and run my strongest run ever, but since that’s not an option I’m praying for a good run. A run in which the pain stays at bay longer than most, but I positively know there will be pain.
Knowing this, and all that I’ve put my knees through over the years also let’s me know that most likely this will be my last. It’s somewhat fantastic to be able to retire from something at 32, but not so much when it’s something that brings so much value and accomplishment into your life. I’m pretty sure I’m like most runners…often times you’re out there running and it plain old sucks. You wonder why it is you choose to do something that is so challenging mentally and physically…and then you finish, and the runner’s high takes over, and you know you’ll be back out there doing it again. I do intend to keep running, but I know I’ll have to limit my distances. Thoughts of a triathalon have crossed my mind…and the challenge of the swim is almost enough to have me running to the pool. I guess you’ll have to stay tuned for what I’m doing next.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me through this journey. All the well wishes and inquiries into how it’s going have helped push me along. I also want to thank Sunny for being my running partner tomorrow. As much as I enjoy the solitude of running, it’s great to have someone crossing that finish line along side you, and encouraging you to get there along the way. And for all of you who have contributed to the American Cancer Society, I am very grateful. I’m a long way from my goal, but I know every bit helps in the progress to the cure (and by all means if you still want to contribute, I can take donations into early February). And lastly, to everyone who is on the other side of that finish line tomorrow cheering me on…you have no idea how much that means to me. The joy of finishing a goal you’ve worked so long and hard on is multiplied many-fold when people you love are there to share it with you.
I’ll summarize all of my training along with my race results this coming week, so check back to see how I did. And please send me all your good will to help me across that finish line tomorrow. I have several goals in my head which vary depending on what kind of run I have, but my biggest goal is to be able to run the entire race. I’ve had some strong runs in the past two weeks that, although not pain free, have felt strong and bearable. I’m holding out that tomorrow is the best one yet!
Summary Week 15 and 16: I finished out just more than 29 miles in the last two weeks of training runs. I managed an 8.5 mile run at a pace of 8:39 which really helped my confidence. I had to stop and stretch out my left IT Band around mile 7 in order to finish out the run, but my right leg gave me little issue at all. I also finished out a 6.5 mile run earlier this week at a pace of 8:27. I had a little more pain this time, but was able to run through it.
PF Changs Goal: Other than just finishing the race, which having missed out last year was my ultimate goal, my starting goal was 1:57:54 (9 minute miles). My goal when I signed up for the race a couple months ago jumped up to 1:56:55 (8:55s). I’ve averaged 8:46s throughout all of training. The last five weeks I’ve improved to 8:37s even with the injury. So it seems silly not to better my goal. I get nervous knowing I’m running with an injury to set myself a goal I might not attain knowing how incredibly disappointed I get when I don’t reach my goals. But heck, I’m retiring, might as well go out with a bang! So I’m setting a goal of 1:53:51 (8:41s). That’s five seconds off my average, and a time I’ll be thrilled to make. If I come in later than that, I know I gave it my all. If I beat it, well then I couldn’t be happier!
Wish me light legs, happy feet, and loose IT Bands!
(If you want to check results, they should be posted darn near immediately: http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventLinkageID=15)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I'm back...and so are my knee problems:(
So the last month has been crazy to say the least…and I’m a bit behind on my posts. Let’s see if I can do some catching up…
Throughout this training I’ve found my pace to be pretty strong, and my long runs to be coming ahead of schedule. A lot of times it seems my long runs are the easiest runs of the week. Maybe because I prepare better and focus more. In week 10 I got out for an 8.25 mile run (8:36s) and week 11 I finished a 9 mile run (8:29s). My knee pain had been popping up, but I was able to work my way through it. Then Sunny joined me for a run a couple days after my 9 miler, and things just didn’t feel right. It was one of my harder runs yet, and my knee pain was really bothersome. We had to cut the run a little short and only finished out 5 miles. So I took five days off and rested my knees. The following Wednesday I set out for what was to be my longest run of training, 10 miles. If all I had to judge the run on was cardio and endurance, it was fantastic. I felt really strong. However, if I judge on my knee pain, it was a total disaster. I forced myself to finish only because I knew I’d be too sore to attempt again…and I wanted that long run. The pain in my left knee started around 3.5 miles and shot up into my thigh (along my IT Band). The right side was a little kinder and waited until mile 6.5. The last mile was almost unbearable, but I just wanted that 10 miles, my second longest run ever. I finished it out in 1:27:08 (8:43), and considering the difficulty of the last few miles, felt pretty good about that.
So here I found myself, back in familiar territory, but with one added benefit…time. I was still four and a half weeks out from race day, an amount of time I felt, and still feel, will allow me time to heal. So I called my orthopedic doctor and requested I get a prescription for physical therapy again without an appointment (in hopes of saving some time). No problem, we both know what my issue is, so no sense on seeing him.
So I started PT the following Monday, giving me just shy of four weeks until race day. Torrey (my therapist) had previously told me of a new technique called ASTYM (http://www.astym.com/professionals/process.asp) that has great results in a short amount of time, so I was confident and optimistic about my outcome. Let me tell you, however, that ASTYM is horrible. It’s most certainly one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever been through, and I have the bruises to prove it. So every other day I head to therapy knowing the pain that will soon be inflicted, but I do so with great hope that this will get me where I need to be. It’s ultimately a process of breaking down the scar tissue that has developed from an injury and allowing your body to re-build that tissue the way it’s supposed to be. They actually want you out there doing whatever activity it is you struggle with so that the tissue re-builds in a way to support the activity. So out there I go, and run. It’s still painful, but I’ve been able to run up to six miles. With 12 days until race day, I’ll continue to push through the miles with hopes of getting an 8 or 9 mile run in sometime this coming weekend or early next week. I need it for my confidence. I’m quite certain I’ll cross the finish line this year, but whether I do it smiling in a running stride or crawling while wincing has yet to be determined. I have the opportunity for 5 more ASTYM treatments before race day, and I have 5 under my belt. They say after 7 treatments 70 percent of people have improvement, so I’m hoping to be one of those.
I’m still in dire need of fundraising. I’ve made a commitment to the ACS to raise considerably more than I have, so expect some harassment from me. After all, if I can get out there and run through all this pain, and be tortured in the name of therapy, a few dollars doesn’t seem so hard to part with, right?
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It was a grand time, but I’m happy it’s passed and I can start focusing on some new things…like being healthy…and summer:)
Week 15 and 16 goal: To continue healing, to stretch and contribute to my therapy in any way that I can. To complete 6 runs, including a longer run of 8 or 9 miles to build my confidence. To take care of myself by eating well, and sleeping enough. To raise more funds for the ACS.
Throughout this training I’ve found my pace to be pretty strong, and my long runs to be coming ahead of schedule. A lot of times it seems my long runs are the easiest runs of the week. Maybe because I prepare better and focus more. In week 10 I got out for an 8.25 mile run (8:36s) and week 11 I finished a 9 mile run (8:29s). My knee pain had been popping up, but I was able to work my way through it. Then Sunny joined me for a run a couple days after my 9 miler, and things just didn’t feel right. It was one of my harder runs yet, and my knee pain was really bothersome. We had to cut the run a little short and only finished out 5 miles. So I took five days off and rested my knees. The following Wednesday I set out for what was to be my longest run of training, 10 miles. If all I had to judge the run on was cardio and endurance, it was fantastic. I felt really strong. However, if I judge on my knee pain, it was a total disaster. I forced myself to finish only because I knew I’d be too sore to attempt again…and I wanted that long run. The pain in my left knee started around 3.5 miles and shot up into my thigh (along my IT Band). The right side was a little kinder and waited until mile 6.5. The last mile was almost unbearable, but I just wanted that 10 miles, my second longest run ever. I finished it out in 1:27:08 (8:43), and considering the difficulty of the last few miles, felt pretty good about that.
So here I found myself, back in familiar territory, but with one added benefit…time. I was still four and a half weeks out from race day, an amount of time I felt, and still feel, will allow me time to heal. So I called my orthopedic doctor and requested I get a prescription for physical therapy again without an appointment (in hopes of saving some time). No problem, we both know what my issue is, so no sense on seeing him.
So I started PT the following Monday, giving me just shy of four weeks until race day. Torrey (my therapist) had previously told me of a new technique called ASTYM (http://www.astym.com/professionals/process.asp) that has great results in a short amount of time, so I was confident and optimistic about my outcome. Let me tell you, however, that ASTYM is horrible. It’s most certainly one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever been through, and I have the bruises to prove it. So every other day I head to therapy knowing the pain that will soon be inflicted, but I do so with great hope that this will get me where I need to be. It’s ultimately a process of breaking down the scar tissue that has developed from an injury and allowing your body to re-build that tissue the way it’s supposed to be. They actually want you out there doing whatever activity it is you struggle with so that the tissue re-builds in a way to support the activity. So out there I go, and run. It’s still painful, but I’ve been able to run up to six miles. With 12 days until race day, I’ll continue to push through the miles with hopes of getting an 8 or 9 mile run in sometime this coming weekend or early next week. I need it for my confidence. I’m quite certain I’ll cross the finish line this year, but whether I do it smiling in a running stride or crawling while wincing has yet to be determined. I have the opportunity for 5 more ASTYM treatments before race day, and I have 5 under my belt. They say after 7 treatments 70 percent of people have improvement, so I’m hoping to be one of those.
I’m still in dire need of fundraising. I’ve made a commitment to the ACS to raise considerably more than I have, so expect some harassment from me. After all, if I can get out there and run through all this pain, and be tortured in the name of therapy, a few dollars doesn’t seem so hard to part with, right?
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It was a grand time, but I’m happy it’s passed and I can start focusing on some new things…like being healthy…and summer:)
Week 15 and 16 goal: To continue healing, to stretch and contribute to my therapy in any way that I can. To complete 6 runs, including a longer run of 8 or 9 miles to build my confidence. To take care of myself by eating well, and sleeping enough. To raise more funds for the ACS.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The consequences of poor planning...
Sometimes, even when we know what the outcome will be with great certainty, we do things anyway. Such was the case with my 10k last week. I decided to run my long run on Wednesday afternoon, just 16 hours before my 10k race. I knew it wasn’t incredibly intelligent, but I also knew the forecast was predicting a downpouring the next day (in which case I wouldn’t run), and that I wouldn’t want to do my long run either Friday or Saturday after much family celebration. The good thing is on Wednesday I was feeling great. It was one of those runs I could have kept on going, and my pace was strong (8:39, nearly 7 miles per hour). The expected downfall of such a decision was my race on Thanksgiving was extremely painful, both physically and mentally. I almost didn’t go when I woke up at 530a to pouring rain. I enjoy running in a light mist, but a downpour while crammed in a pack of runners is just miserable. But the run was 30 miles south in Mesa, and as the sun started to come up I could see the clouds were breaking. I left my spectators behind, not wanting them to have to sit in the rain (especially with a 2 month old), and headed off. I had a mile walk to the starting line, and by my arrival I realized it was actually pretty muggy, and a little warm, so I started to shed my layers (it was cold when I left my house). By mile 2 I was pretty sure I wouldn’t make it half way. My legs felt like cement blocks they were so fatigued, and it felt like I was breathing under water it was so humid. I had to run past my car at mile 3, and it took everything in me not to run right to it. But I pushed on…in the unprettiest run of my life…and for the first time ever, I actually had to stop and walk briefly a couple times. My knee pain was strong, and my body kept telling me to stop…but I kept going. I managed my way across the finish line without one drop of will left…and then I had to walk the mile back to my car. Ugh! My race time was my worst 10k yet, but considering I walked, still not all that bad. For the first time ever, the race gave me a better time than my forerunner, which put me at 54:45, 8:50 miles. This time the race was actually a little shy of 6.22, at 6.2…a distance both the results webpage and my forerunner confirm. The next two days my knees really bothered me, but they’ve felt fine on my runs since. I’m just glad it’s over!
Then over the weekend we got a big group together to play flag football before the Vikings beat up on the Bears. Seems harmless enough right? Nope! We were all crippled with soreness…which forced me to take Monday off from running. I guess all that turning and twisting while running works some new muscles. I’ve got myself back on track, and expect to finish out the week with an 8 mile run today, and 4 miles tomorrow. My mileage is finally starting to get up to a respectable amount, and I’m able to start seeing the possibility of running 13.1 miles! It’s hard to believe the race is just barely more than 6 weeks away.
Just a reminder, before I start harassing you all with emails (which you should expect soon)…I’m lacking enormously in my fundraising achievements. Please support me and a good cause and donate to my ACS fund (link at the right).
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Week 9 Summary: Goal 21 miles, 7.25 mile long run. I completed 21 miles, and exceeded my long run goal with a 7.5 mile run (1:04:55/8:39). My pace for the week was 8:47.
Week 10 Goal: My goal is 22 miles overall. I’ve upped my long run goal to 8 miles since I’ve exceeded my previous goals. This puts me a half mile (one week) ahead of schedule on my long run.
Thursday, November 27th 10k Summary: According to the race results I finished in 54:38 (8:48). My forerunner put me at 54:45 (8:50), nearly a minute slower than my goal.
Then over the weekend we got a big group together to play flag football before the Vikings beat up on the Bears. Seems harmless enough right? Nope! We were all crippled with soreness…which forced me to take Monday off from running. I guess all that turning and twisting while running works some new muscles. I’ve got myself back on track, and expect to finish out the week with an 8 mile run today, and 4 miles tomorrow. My mileage is finally starting to get up to a respectable amount, and I’m able to start seeing the possibility of running 13.1 miles! It’s hard to believe the race is just barely more than 6 weeks away.
Just a reminder, before I start harassing you all with emails (which you should expect soon)…I’m lacking enormously in my fundraising achievements. Please support me and a good cause and donate to my ACS fund (link at the right).
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Week 9 Summary: Goal 21 miles, 7.25 mile long run. I completed 21 miles, and exceeded my long run goal with a 7.5 mile run (1:04:55/8:39). My pace for the week was 8:47.
Week 10 Goal: My goal is 22 miles overall. I’ve upped my long run goal to 8 miles since I’ve exceeded my previous goals. This puts me a half mile (one week) ahead of schedule on my long run.
Thursday, November 27th 10k Summary: According to the race results I finished in 54:38 (8:48). My forerunner put me at 54:45 (8:50), nearly a minute slower than my goal.
Monday, November 24, 2008
3 days from the turkey trot, and half way to PF Changs...
It's hard to believe, but I've now finished one half of my training. Amazing how quickly the time flies by! I pushed myself above the one hour mark this past week for the first time this season! It feels so good to get those long runs completed. Surprisingly, often times my long run each week is my easiest. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m more focused, or taking better care of myself the day before, but often times I feel like I could run much further when it comes to the end of my long run. I tend to stop myself at those points knowing adding too much distance too quickly can lead to injury.
I’m preparing myself for my second, and most likely last 10k before PF Changs, this Thursday (http://www.raceplaceevents.com/event.php?event=401002). I’m forcing myself to behave all week, despite the distractions that come with the holiday approaching. I know a few good days of rest, good diet, some good runs and workouts, and adequate stretching offer me the best chance for a strong run on Thanksgiving. I’m not much of a pasta eater, but it’s certain to make my menu this week. And I love knowing I’m starting out a day of gluttony with a solid run, erases some of the guilt!
Week 8 Summary: Goal 20 miles, 6.5 mile long run. I met my distance goal, and exceeded my long run goal with a 7 mile run. My long run took me 1:01:59 (8:51). I’ve now completed more than 120 miles, with a pace of 8:52.
Week 9 Goal: My goal this week is 21 miles. I’m scheduled for a long run of 7 miles, but since I ran that last week I’ll attempt for 7.25 miles this week. Added to my 10k race on Thursday, my other two runs won’t have to be very long.
Thursday, November 27th 10k: My goal for this 10k is 53:55 (8:40 miles).
I’m preparing myself for my second, and most likely last 10k before PF Changs, this Thursday (http://www.raceplaceevents.com/event.php?event=401002). I’m forcing myself to behave all week, despite the distractions that come with the holiday approaching. I know a few good days of rest, good diet, some good runs and workouts, and adequate stretching offer me the best chance for a strong run on Thanksgiving. I’m not much of a pasta eater, but it’s certain to make my menu this week. And I love knowing I’m starting out a day of gluttony with a solid run, erases some of the guilt!
Week 8 Summary: Goal 20 miles, 6.5 mile long run. I met my distance goal, and exceeded my long run goal with a 7 mile run. My long run took me 1:01:59 (8:51). I’ve now completed more than 120 miles, with a pace of 8:52.
Week 9 Goal: My goal this week is 21 miles. I’m scheduled for a long run of 7 miles, but since I ran that last week I’ll attempt for 7.25 miles this week. Added to my 10k race on Thursday, my other two runs won’t have to be very long.
Thursday, November 27th 10k: My goal for this 10k is 53:55 (8:40 miles).
Getting further...
I’m still somehow behind on my blogs. I guess that’s pretty indicative of what’s going on in my life right now…never seems to be a free moment, but I’m enjoying it all the same.
My running is definitely coming along, and as my long runs build, I’m feeling more confident and much stronger on my shorter runs. I have encountered some knee pain, which always concerns me. I know with as busy as I’ve been, I haven’t been as strict on getting in all my lower body workouts and stretching. For some reason strength training my legs always is the easiest one for me to put off. I think partially because I know it makes me sore for a couple days, which interferes with my running schedule. I think also it’s because my legs get such a workout from running, I tend to want to work my upper body when I’m in the gym. Whatever it is, I’m really trying to commit myself to being better, since I know as I build my mileage the chances for an injury increase.
By no means take the next statement as a complaint…but summer just seems to be holding on here! I love the warm weather, although it does make it a little trickier for training. Even as we close in on the end of November, I have to schedule runs for earlier in the day, or at night. The forecast has it cooling down this week, which makes me a little sad, but it allow me more freedom for when I run during the day. I’m pretty sure this will be the shortest winter ever since by early February it’s usually warming back up. I love this state!
Week 7 Summary: Goal 19 miles, 10k (6.22 miles) long run. I completed 19 miles for week 7, and ran a 10k. Details of my 10k are in my last post.
Week 8 Goal: My goal for week 8 is 20 miles, with a 6.5 mile long run.
My running is definitely coming along, and as my long runs build, I’m feeling more confident and much stronger on my shorter runs. I have encountered some knee pain, which always concerns me. I know with as busy as I’ve been, I haven’t been as strict on getting in all my lower body workouts and stretching. For some reason strength training my legs always is the easiest one for me to put off. I think partially because I know it makes me sore for a couple days, which interferes with my running schedule. I think also it’s because my legs get such a workout from running, I tend to want to work my upper body when I’m in the gym. Whatever it is, I’m really trying to commit myself to being better, since I know as I build my mileage the chances for an injury increase.
By no means take the next statement as a complaint…but summer just seems to be holding on here! I love the warm weather, although it does make it a little trickier for training. Even as we close in on the end of November, I have to schedule runs for earlier in the day, or at night. The forecast has it cooling down this week, which makes me a little sad, but it allow me more freedom for when I run during the day. I’m pretty sure this will be the shortest winter ever since by early February it’s usually warming back up. I love this state!
Week 7 Summary: Goal 19 miles, 10k (6.22 miles) long run. I completed 19 miles for week 7, and ran a 10k. Details of my 10k are in my last post.
Week 8 Goal: My goal for week 8 is 20 miles, with a 6.5 mile long run.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Behind on my posts...not on my running.
So apparently last week was too busy to update my blog. I’ll do a quick catch up now, and fill you all in better later this week.
I completed the Phoenix 10k last weekend. The run was a real struggle for me, although I do realize I may not have done the best pre-race preparation the day and two before. I’m keeping that in mind for my next 10k in just 10 days. I did forget to hit the stop button on my Garmin when crossing the finish line, but I hit the lap button at 6.22 miles, and was at 53:29 (8:36). The race was a little longer than an actual 10k (I’m not sure if I did a lot of sideways running, or if the course was just off a bit), and I finished it out in 54:27 (8:46s based on 6.22 miles). I asked a couple guys after the race what their gps watches measured the race at, and they said 6.33 miles, so it wasn’t just me:)
I woke up this morning with severe pain behind my left knee. I took yesterday off running, and wasn’t feeling any pain yesterday, so I’m not sure what’s going on. I can’t straighten my leg all the way though, so I’m not happy about it. I’m going to try some continued stretching and see if I can get out for a run this evening. This is a different kind of pain than I’ve ever felt before, so I’m not sure if running will be a really bad thing, or even an option. But I’ll give it a try.
Week 6 Summary: Goal 18 miles, with a 5.75 mile long run. I exceeded my long run with a 6 mile run, and met my miles goal. My pace for the week was 8:46.
Week 7 Goal: My goal for week 7 was 19 miles, with a long run being my 10k (6.22 miles).
Sunday, November 9 10k Summary: I finished the race in 54:27, which was just 2 seconds more than my goal. My Garmin shows me beating my goal for 6.22 miles, with 53:29, 9 seconds faster than my goal pace. That puts me just 2 seconds off 7 mph.
I completed the Phoenix 10k last weekend. The run was a real struggle for me, although I do realize I may not have done the best pre-race preparation the day and two before. I’m keeping that in mind for my next 10k in just 10 days. I did forget to hit the stop button on my Garmin when crossing the finish line, but I hit the lap button at 6.22 miles, and was at 53:29 (8:36). The race was a little longer than an actual 10k (I’m not sure if I did a lot of sideways running, or if the course was just off a bit), and I finished it out in 54:27 (8:46s based on 6.22 miles). I asked a couple guys after the race what their gps watches measured the race at, and they said 6.33 miles, so it wasn’t just me:)
I woke up this morning with severe pain behind my left knee. I took yesterday off running, and wasn’t feeling any pain yesterday, so I’m not sure what’s going on. I can’t straighten my leg all the way though, so I’m not happy about it. I’m going to try some continued stretching and see if I can get out for a run this evening. This is a different kind of pain than I’ve ever felt before, so I’m not sure if running will be a really bad thing, or even an option. But I’ll give it a try.
Week 6 Summary: Goal 18 miles, with a 5.75 mile long run. I exceeded my long run with a 6 mile run, and met my miles goal. My pace for the week was 8:46.
Week 7 Goal: My goal for week 7 was 19 miles, with a long run being my 10k (6.22 miles).
Sunday, November 9 10k Summary: I finished the race in 54:27, which was just 2 seconds more than my goal. My Garmin shows me beating my goal for 6.22 miles, with 53:29, 9 seconds faster than my goal pace. That puts me just 2 seconds off 7 mph.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Coming along...
How the heck is it already November and just a handful of weeks away from 2009? This time of year always seems to fly by, and it amazes me how training pushes it along even faster. I’m in the middle of my sixth week of training, and yet it feels like I just started. Things seem to be progressing pretty well, although there are still a lot of runs, even the short ones, that are a real struggle. I know there comes a point, and usually it just happens one day, where four and five mile runs feel like a breeze. I’m still waiting for 3.5 mile runs to feel that way. But it will come. Running is all about consistency…and a little bit self-torture. You’ve got to love the feeling of finishing a run just a bit more than you love feeling like dying along the way.
I’m gearing up for my first 10k of the season in just four days. I don’t expect this to be my strongest 10k ever, but I’m going to give it my best. I just don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if my time hasn’t improved compared to past 10ks. I’ve set expectations that the 10k on Thanksgiving will be a stronger run for me. This will be my longest run yet this season, so just getting to the end takes a lot of effort. I did finish out a long run this morning of six miles, which is a definite boost to my confidence. Knowing I just have .22 miles further to run on Sunday makes it feel like a smaller task. And who knows, some days you can head out for a run and it’s just easy…other days it makes you beg for death…hopefully Sunday will be an easy day!
I did some comparing to see how I’m doing this year compared to last (I’ve kept some extensive logs the last 2 years of training). Last year my training was to last 18 weeks, whereas this year I’ve scheduled 16. My injury flared up in the 15th week, hence the shorter training. Both years I hit my long run of six miles in the sixth week. My first 10k last year wasn’t until the beginning of week eight, whereas this year it’s a week earlier. My pace this year is quite a bit faster too. My paces are about 5 to 15 seconds faster than the same weeks last year.
Week 5 Summary: Goal 13.5 miles in three runs, with a 5.25 mile long run. I finished out 13.5 miles at a pace of 8:54. I completed a long run of 5.5 miles which has pushed me .75 miles ahead of my scheduled long runs.
Week 6 Goal: I’m scheduled to run 18 miles this week with a long run of 5.75 miles.
Sunday, November 9th 10k Goal: My goal is to complete the race in 54:25 (8:45 minute miles).
I’m gearing up for my first 10k of the season in just four days. I don’t expect this to be my strongest 10k ever, but I’m going to give it my best. I just don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if my time hasn’t improved compared to past 10ks. I’ve set expectations that the 10k on Thanksgiving will be a stronger run for me. This will be my longest run yet this season, so just getting to the end takes a lot of effort. I did finish out a long run this morning of six miles, which is a definite boost to my confidence. Knowing I just have .22 miles further to run on Sunday makes it feel like a smaller task. And who knows, some days you can head out for a run and it’s just easy…other days it makes you beg for death…hopefully Sunday will be an easy day!
I did some comparing to see how I’m doing this year compared to last (I’ve kept some extensive logs the last 2 years of training). Last year my training was to last 18 weeks, whereas this year I’ve scheduled 16. My injury flared up in the 15th week, hence the shorter training. Both years I hit my long run of six miles in the sixth week. My first 10k last year wasn’t until the beginning of week eight, whereas this year it’s a week earlier. My pace this year is quite a bit faster too. My paces are about 5 to 15 seconds faster than the same weeks last year.
Week 5 Summary: Goal 13.5 miles in three runs, with a 5.25 mile long run. I finished out 13.5 miles at a pace of 8:54. I completed a long run of 5.5 miles which has pushed me .75 miles ahead of my scheduled long runs.
Week 6 Goal: I’m scheduled to run 18 miles this week with a long run of 5.75 miles.
Sunday, November 9th 10k Goal: My goal is to complete the race in 54:25 (8:45 minute miles).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)