All the hard work is done! All the crazy long miles, and double weekends. There is no more I can do to add to my training. It is time to rest and time to race. My body is in prime condition for the upcoming tasks.
As I begin to reduce my mileage I will begin to tighten my diet. Now starts the less sugar, no fried foods, and reduction in meats. When I reduce my miles I need to reduce my daily calories as well. I will be cranky and the phantom aches and pains will occur. The next 6 weeks I need to focus more yoga and stretching. I wonder what the over under in days is for the first post of "this taper is driving me nuts"? 9 days?
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Seeking to make running less lonely and selfish.
Running is a lonely sport. It is you and the trail, or road, for miles and hours on end. Plenty of time to think and plenty of time to lose yourself. Sometimes I run with others and sometimes I listen to music. But I would say that 80% of my running is done alone. Running is a battle against myself. At times I win and at times I lose.
When I started running I was the back of the pack and I felt like I was chasing everyone. Now I still feel like I am chasing people just in the middle of the pack now. But who are these people? Fellow runners out to gain their own accomplishments.
So why do we all train and work hard alone but then come together on race day? Race day is a collection of selfish people all geeked up to run their best. Better hope that routine has been followed and on track otherwise the runners will get cranky. And we all know how cranky and particular runners can be.
Seeking to make running less lonely and selfish.
When I started running I was the back of the pack and I felt like I was chasing everyone. Now I still feel like I am chasing people just in the middle of the pack now. But who are these people? Fellow runners out to gain their own accomplishments.
So why do we all train and work hard alone but then come together on race day? Race day is a collection of selfish people all geeked up to run their best. Better hope that routine has been followed and on track otherwise the runners will get cranky. And we all know how cranky and particular runners can be.
Seeking to make running less lonely and selfish.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
In the middle of it
Running is fun, yes.
Running crazy is not fun.
Running is fun, no!
I love to move and watch the miles add up. I love to see what my body can do, and how much stronger I can get. I don't love feeling like I don't have a weekend because I committed to running a 50 miler. This weekend I dd 41.1 miles in three days. Wow yea me, how cool is that, said no one ever. More like how freaking NUTS are you? I write this at almost midnight because I can't sleep. This large weekend has left my stomach in knots and exhausted. My legs feel great but I can't sleep. I fell asleep at 6:30 and woke up at 9:20. I am done with this.
I am excited to start taper and race season at the end of this week. I can have more time with my family, more time to relax, more time to just breathe. Yea, breathing what you do lots of while running but never seem to have time to do otherwise. The exhilaration of charging up a hill and feeling your calves swell as if to bursting is second to none. The thrill of speeding through a 5k or intervals is a great high. All of it is done to better myself towards a particular goal, 50! I don't think I will tackle a 50 anytime soon again.
Marathons, sure! Next year I am thinking of focusing on one thing, the half marathon. I wana go fast! My goal is to hit or break 1:40. Looking on the calendar I plan on running the John Dick 50k. Yes it is a long race, but I have done it in the past with a long run of 10 miles. It is just a great cold day in the woods. I plan on racing the south shore half in April too. I would love to target a half in the fall that I could take my wife to and have her run or relax too.
I just need to hang on for one more week. I am shooting for a 50 mile week. 6-3-6 mid week runs and a 13.1 race on Saturday. Add some walking miles and I should be good. I will throw in some strength training and core work this week to keep up the intensity.
Running crazy is not fun.
Running is fun, no!
I love to move and watch the miles add up. I love to see what my body can do, and how much stronger I can get. I don't love feeling like I don't have a weekend because I committed to running a 50 miler. This weekend I dd 41.1 miles in three days. Wow yea me, how cool is that, said no one ever. More like how freaking NUTS are you? I write this at almost midnight because I can't sleep. This large weekend has left my stomach in knots and exhausted. My legs feel great but I can't sleep. I fell asleep at 6:30 and woke up at 9:20. I am done with this.
I am excited to start taper and race season at the end of this week. I can have more time with my family, more time to relax, more time to just breathe. Yea, breathing what you do lots of while running but never seem to have time to do otherwise. The exhilaration of charging up a hill and feeling your calves swell as if to bursting is second to none. The thrill of speeding through a 5k or intervals is a great high. All of it is done to better myself towards a particular goal, 50! I don't think I will tackle a 50 anytime soon again.
Marathons, sure! Next year I am thinking of focusing on one thing, the half marathon. I wana go fast! My goal is to hit or break 1:40. Looking on the calendar I plan on running the John Dick 50k. Yes it is a long race, but I have done it in the past with a long run of 10 miles. It is just a great cold day in the woods. I plan on racing the south shore half in April too. I would love to target a half in the fall that I could take my wife to and have her run or relax too.
I just need to hang on for one more week. I am shooting for a 50 mile week. 6-3-6 mid week runs and a 13.1 race on Saturday. Add some walking miles and I should be good. I will throw in some strength training and core work this week to keep up the intensity.
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