Not being a seasoned athlete I always wonder if I'm doing enough, at the right pace, on the proper days. This conundrum causes all kinds of second guessing. That said, I'm now running farther and faster over those distances than ever before.
And then yesterday... I did it. I signed up for my first marathon. It comes during week 18 of my training regimen. May my knees and patience last that long.
Today I had lunch with a long-time runner. We compared notes and he reviewed my log. He started talking about times in the mid 3 hour timeframe and my mind went numb. It's time to put away the doubts of injuries past and plow on, knowing that the time and effort expendedwill make the distance almost a complete non-event on race day.
rcblu2 says:
Congrats on signing up for your first marathon. There is nothing like it!
Burts65 says:
I too am training for my first full marathon and although I entertain thoughts of posting a good time I honestly just want to manage my body through the distance so I can say I ran a marathon. I will plan improvements after that.
Just doing one is a lofty goal and something to be proud of.
So keep working and take care of your body so its ready to go the distance.
Good luck
KathyStenson says:
I agree with adigerati, if the marathon is a new distance for you it will require adding a LOT of mileage to achieve your goal of completing the race, let alone at what I would consider a smokin fast pace for a first marathon (am I wrong on that? My half took 2:07, so anything in the 3 hour range seems REALLY fast for a first time...)
It's a huge goal running a full...you've shown great diligence and wisdom so far in your training, so you will really need to go with your gut and listen to what your body is telling you as far as setting an aggressive time goal.
Congrats on signing up, when is the big day??
adigerati says:
Early on in my training I kept running across the advice to not try to increase distance and speed at the same time. Only work on one or the other. I ignored that advice and as a result kept getting injured.
Just wanted to make sure you received that same wisdom.
Running with a head cold is like having a dull nail driven directly into your sinus with every footfall. Why do it? A) I'm stubborn. B) If I'm going to blow my nose every two minutes anway, why not do it while getting some exercise, C) Because it was cold outside I couldn't tell if my watery eyes came from the cold temperature or the cold virus in my body and D) Isn't that what crazy runners do? RUN!
Jackmaster66 says:
I felt fine before, during and after. Just one crazy drippy nose during. I would never run with a fever, but with a cold, I took a chance.
adigerati says:
Did the run make you feel better?
I've never run when I'm feeling really sick but when I feel something coming on or whatever is bothering is not so bad and I run, it seems to go away during the run.
I ran 15 last Saturday with no significant pain. I kept to my schedule this week - almost. I put Saturday's long run at 18 vs. 17. Two reasons - the turnaround spot was much easier to find at mile 9 and... I wanted to.
I survived the run, barely. I felt as though I was running through mud after mile 9. Surprisingly, every split I tracked had me running at my natural pace of 8:50. Shortly after finishing my left knee began to swell and to "click" as I walked. RICE was my friend, but the clicking has continued. Argh! To have come this far and to now consider injury is, once again, extremely frustrating. Chin up! One more day of RICE and stretching. May tomorrow be a better day.
Most runs include at least one moment of humor and this weekend was no exception. At mile 7 I must duck to miss a low-hanging branch on an 80 year old magnolia. This time I didn't duck quite far enough and Bang! I cracked my coconut on the limb. Hat off. Body on the sidewalk. Stars all aro...
[click on title to read full entry]
KathyStenson says:
What a run!! Do you think you suffered from dehydration or needed to take in some calories? Whenever I have felt as you described it was lack of water or calories...although my pace would really slow down in these situations and that didn't happen to you.
Keep with the RICE...I really hope your knee is feeling lots better soon, and your head too!! I got a chuckle from your story, very well described, and haven't we all been there, glad that nobody witnessed our humiliation!!
Hang in there, you've taken really good care so far and hopefully this knee thing is just a blip. Your diligence and persistence will pay off!
Equal parts excitement and ghosts of distances past. Running 15 early on Saturday. The last time I did this - - 2 years ago, I wound up being tested for a heart attack the next week. Turns out it was asthma.
The gnawing of those ghosts has my brain letting doubt creep in. It's time to lace 'em up and show the brain that my feet and legs are trained and in charge.
Bring it!
KathyStenson says:
Sending good thoughts your way!!! Sounds like you're strong and really ready for this run.
The last week points to the evolution of a middle-aged jogger. Thursday - 7 miles in the pouring rain, Saturday 13, Monday 5. No pain, no injuries, little discomfort. It's taken me nearly 10 years to learn how to let easy be easy, long slow be long slow and recovery be recovery. Thus, in that 6 day span I ran longer and more comfortably than I ever have. May the evolution continue into 2012.
And I say, with more than a little satisfaction that the last day, the 5 miler, was my fastest in months - - and that on tired legs.
KathyStenson says:
Way to go...very impressive accomplishment, and without pain and injuries means you're doing it right. Congrats!!
jeep_dog says:
Great job! "Mostly easy, sometimes hard" is a distance training mantra that is much easier to say than to do. The only reason I learned it was I had no choice in middle age (ok, admission time - solidly in the "master" class now - sheesh, when did THAT happen?!?!?) to keep running and avoid injury.
keyronn says:
I started running in July 2011 at age 50 and learned much of what I know from a rehabilitating 56 year old competitive runner. I had "easy" and "injury prevention" drilled into my head from the start. You can't get better if you can't run. :) I agree with Jeep's mantra. I do a lot of easy base runs and 2 hard workouts each week. No need for more and more might be less at my age.
I've run off and on for 20 years. I've never, ever had to go pee during a run... until yesterday. I was in the middle of the nicest neighborhood in town. The manicured lawns left nowhere hide, nor did I wish to pee on someone's tree like an overly tall cocker spaniel. I knew that if I could make it to the backside of the country club that there was a small patch of woods. That might have been the longest 2 miles of my life.
Oh blessed relief. Thank heavens for the drainage ditch that partially hid me from view and from traffic. To the road biker who pointed at me -- you'll have to stop some day too brother.
To those at the country club playing tennis nearby -- sorry about that. But if I had asked to use your facilities, I know the reception I would have received.
Like so many others, I suffer from a competitive nature. Yesterday was my LSR. 9 miles, painfully slow pace. Along the way I was passed by 3 people. The gnawing in the pit of my stomach was tangible as each one pulled away from me. I sooo wanted to yell -- "today's my slow run. I could kick your fanny if I wanted to." Instead I kept the mantra going - - remember the goal, remember the goal.
christinacampins says:
Remember the Goal! Of course you could kick their fannies but they too will have to run slowly one day for a cause. Keep your cause your goal.
