I have 3 more weeks until I start training for Baystate Marathon. I have a couple of "secrete races" planned, but otherwise I am working on getting up to and maintaining a good running base (30 miles/week), keeping an overall moderate pace (no speed intervals), getting my body used to 4 runs a week, bricks (bike+ runs), and continuing riding and swimming. I am loving long workouts and when I can double up, I feel the best. Here is how my workouts go most days:
Mondays: 8 mile run, some strengths and abs and weights
Tuesdays: swim (1-1.5 miles) and bike (45 min indoors or 15 miles outdoors).
Wednesday: 6 mile run, some strengths and abs and weights.
Thursday: 15 miles bike ride followed by 3-4 mile run. OR 30 miles ride.
Friday: rest
Saturday: long run (at least 10) and swim (1 mile)
Sunday: swim (1.5 miles) and bike (15 miles).
I am one of those people who enjoys training more than racing.
Training is my daily me time. I get to be with myself and sort through my thoughts, or listen to some pretty awesome podcast, or music, or gab away with my running pals. Once in a while I get a day where my stride, or stroke, or pedaling feel fluid and ease, my mind and body one, and time stops and everything seems just perfect as is. Peaceful.
Racing is more difficult. I get worked-up about races. I set high standards and want to PR every time. I can't stand the thought of something going wrong during race day (so far I have been so lucky). Although I think I am mentally tough and able to push through at the end of races, I don't enjoy that. In sum, you can say that I don't like to race but I love to be able to say "I have raced" . At the same time, there is something magical about the last 6 miles of the marathon, the last 3 miles of a half marathon, and perhaps the last mile of a speedy 5K. I hate the moments when I am working on convincing my mind that I am doing fine (and my body is screaming), that I have less to go than I actually have, and that the pain/nausea/etc is really not that bad, manageable, mild. In fact, one of my mantras is "Can you stand more pain?" Yet after every race I think of things I can do better next time, so that I can go faster, so that I can trick the mind even more so that it can allow my body to move quicker. It's a never ending game that I love and hate to be part of.
I feel that every race teaches me something about myself. Like the fact that I get race anxiety one week in advance but am calm as a clam the day before and during the race. Or that I visualize racing over and over in my head during the last few runs pre-race. Or that I get sad after marathon(s). And impulsive. And oscillate from insecurity to megalomania. That I get back to my typical self a few days after. That I strive on discipline and accomplishment. And much more.
Racing pushes me outside of my comfort zone, allows me to take risks that I no longer can afford to take in other aspects of my life, at least for the time being. Without running, there would be something else, but I am glad it is still running and I am going to play the game for as long as I can.
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9 comments:
Oh man, I don't get you people who like to train more than race ;-) I LOVE TO RACE. Good luck with your training, it looks like a good plan.
I also love to train more than race. For me, training realeases strees while races induce it.
Lots of swim/bike/run in there. Hmmm...secret races?
I am totally with you regarding the love to train mentality. I just get SO darn anxious prior to races--it makes it really hard to enjoy them! Anyway, I think it's great that you are learning so much about yourself through racing! And I have to say, that looks like a GREAT plan. Now, I want to know about these secret races! :)
i think i am the same! i mean, i enjoy racing too, but i always get worked up - even if it's a rinky dink local 5k! i know it's just the competitiveness in us and our desire to do well. training is a lot easier, sure we still set goals for the day but it's much less disappointing and stressful if you don't meet them.
you workout a crazy ton! where do you find the time?!? i am jealous!
Lindsay, I have 2 secrets: 1) good time management skills (I have everything preped so that after work I change clothes and enjoy 1-1.5 hours of run/bike or whaterver; I watch TV on my bike trainer, etc), 2) a husband who works part-time (so that I don't worry about shopping, cooking, cleaning, which is best for everyone since I am so bad at all of those), and 3) involving my family in my workouts (e.g., Saturday and Sunday we all go to a YMCA - I swim, my husband plays basketball, my son enjoys the kids room). My schedule does not work like this every week. Also, in the winter I work out less because of the cold. Ana-Maria
I guess 3, not 2 things...oops. AM
I love training, and pretty much never stop even when I don't have planned races. I don't need a race to keep me motivated. Racing does, however, provide a reason to run tempo runs or do intervals on the row machine. I wouldn't do those workouts as hard without a planned race. I also love to race though. I love the way I feel after a race. Strong.
this is such a great post :) i also looove to train. racing just can be anti-climactic/disappointing sometimes... but it also pushes you like nothing else. maybe because its so hard and we put the pressure on ourselves?
i do have to say though, the last race as fun was so awesome! you must try it :)
Ana-maria,
I enjoyed your race report, it showed how well you understand yourself and your capabilities.
Sometimes we forget to recognize the things we did right and harp only on the broken expectations.
I was suprised to see everyone (almost)agree with the racing anxiety...I have always felt that way....a love/hate relationship with racing.
Love to train, hate to toe the line (and the two days leading up to it), love to fantisize about the race, love to plan the race...hate to race, love to pass people when racing, hate to be passed, Hate the feeling that I can't keep the pace or finish, Hate the thought of not doing well, love the thought of PRing, love..love ...love to cross that finish line.....love to look back at all the races I ran.
I have never had a DNF but have skipped races entirely......only once was I completely calm before the start of a race and had absolutely no anxiety, it was my longest and toughest race ever....
2 weeks ago I ran a 50K but it was not about speed it was about finishing, It made me realize that it was the fear of failure to run fast enough that affected my anxiety level.
I have decided to run a race just for fun, no finish time expectations and see if the anxiety is less....assuming I can convince myself to run just for fun.
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