This weekend I ran a nice 20 miler. I've been wanting to hit 20 and just hadn't gotten the job done, so this run made me happy. I ran it in 2:20 which was nice and has me excited to run the race (which isn't for a long time and I've got to make sure I don't run too much and get burned out). Along the way I remembered my mantra #2. While watching the NYC marathon the top runners had a "slow" mile (probabaly like 5:30 or something) and the announcer commented that logging a slow mile can really throw off the runners. It's kind of like getting out of your rhythm. The first marathon I ran I didn't really know what to expect so I just went out there. I about died in the last few miles....really cramped up. After that I've had a cautious approach...start out SLOW! Now I'm ready to go all out again...one slow mile will really slow down my whole race. Couple this idea with Mantra #1 from below post, and I've got a fast race planned with training to back it up. Oh yes, sounds good...now if the stars will align just so, my kids will become independend and self sufficient, I am hit over the head with endless amounts of time and few responsiblities and my running shoes are tied just tight enough, but not too tight then I think this is going to be the pefect race.
Speaking of running attire. Remember that song Black Whole Sun by Sound Garden? Well, I feel the same way about my armpit....Black Whole Armpit! It keeps gobbling up my shirt and chaffing! Wierdest spot ever! Have my arms suddenly plumped up to make my shirts too tight? Have the shirts shrunk in the wash? I don't know. What I do know is that my armpit has a bright red chaff mark on it...ouch!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hiatus
Nothing like a quick 3 month hiatus. My blogging motivation has been quiet...is it necessary that I provide myself a Monday Motivation for this? Hum. I have been motivated in my running though. I was given the Garmin Forerunner watch for Christmas and have loved it every day since. It is really great. For instance, I wanted to go out on a long run and had a park in mind, but had no idea how far it was. Without a care, I took off for said park and checked my mileage as I ran...sweet! Not only that, but I can see how my pace is without doing a dozen mathmatical equations in my head, however entertaining that has been in the past, it now frees up my mind for deeper thoughts. Maybe I've just been hanging out with my watch instead of my blog!
I am in the midst of training for a marathon! What? Really, I won't have a marathon on my mind and then all of a sudden I'm signed up. After I commited, I went out for a 12 miler on Monday, felt great...a few short runs inbetween...and then a 15 miler on Saturday, felt awesome! The following long week run was 18 miles...I surprised myself with how good and easy it felt...yes! and then Last weekend I tried to out of for a 20 miler, felt aweful, and ended up with 17 instead. Oh well, hopefully this weekend is better.
I have a few thoughts stuck in my head as I train for this. One is I'd like to get really nice and comfy with 20+ mile runs. In past marathon training I'd do an 18 miler or 20 miler one time before the race. I'd rather get several long runs in, but we'll see what life/time allows.
As I run I chant a little mantra: Train how you want to race. When I was in high school I thought I was training, but I was pretty much going out and jogging around everyday. Then when race day came, I really wanted to do well, but it was pretty much a 50/50 chance of success. Some races I just had it and others I didn't. Now I train how I want to race. I push myself hard, more like I'm racing as I train, and then when the race comes there is nothing left to chance. The race is much more fun this way because I'm not trying to do better then I've trained for. I've trained for the race I want. So, for this marathon I can't just go out and log 18/20 milers. I have to push myself through them and run them as if I'm racing them....fun!
This race is a qualifier for Boston and I'd like to use it to actually go and run the big race in the next few years.
Okay, now back to my Forerunner!
I am in the midst of training for a marathon! What? Really, I won't have a marathon on my mind and then all of a sudden I'm signed up. After I commited, I went out for a 12 miler on Monday, felt great...a few short runs inbetween...and then a 15 miler on Saturday, felt awesome! The following long week run was 18 miles...I surprised myself with how good and easy it felt...yes! and then Last weekend I tried to out of for a 20 miler, felt aweful, and ended up with 17 instead. Oh well, hopefully this weekend is better.
I have a few thoughts stuck in my head as I train for this. One is I'd like to get really nice and comfy with 20+ mile runs. In past marathon training I'd do an 18 miler or 20 miler one time before the race. I'd rather get several long runs in, but we'll see what life/time allows.
As I run I chant a little mantra: Train how you want to race. When I was in high school I thought I was training, but I was pretty much going out and jogging around everyday. Then when race day came, I really wanted to do well, but it was pretty much a 50/50 chance of success. Some races I just had it and others I didn't. Now I train how I want to race. I push myself hard, more like I'm racing as I train, and then when the race comes there is nothing left to chance. The race is much more fun this way because I'm not trying to do better then I've trained for. I've trained for the race I want. So, for this marathon I can't just go out and log 18/20 milers. I have to push myself through them and run them as if I'm racing them....fun!
This race is a qualifier for Boston and I'd like to use it to actually go and run the big race in the next few years.
Okay, now back to my Forerunner!
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