Yesterday I had a 4 mile recovery run followed by a 15 mile bike ride. I typically take the run as easy as I can, and do a few pick ups on the bike. We had nice and cool weather yesterday, so nice and cool that I wished it had been Saturday and I was doing my long run... My husband joined me for the bike ride on his $100 bike, no helmet, jean shorts, Tevas...He is the antigear guy while I am the gear queen.
I am getting more and more confident on the bike. I don't slow down at the many turns on the bike paths, I can drink without slowing down, I can bike without hands for a few seconds if I want to switch bottles, etc. However, I am still terrified of going fast downhill. From my house, there are 2 huge hills that I need to go down on (and up on the way back, but I don't have a problem with that). My husband just flies over those hills, while I...brake my way down while pushing away images of the bike rolling up side down in the air.
The ride was fabulous. Chris and I always have the best conversations while doing sports, and I really love this time we spend together. At some point, about 5 miles in we got passed by a really fast guy and something came over me and I had to go chase him. I did not catch him but it was fun to go really fast (like 21-22 mph pace, which for me is fast). At the end of the path, I waited for Chris and we decided to ride with our ipods (I guess 5 miles is enough even for "the best conversations" that one can have with a partner, after having been married for 9 years). I typically ride with podcasts, but I had just put together a playlist for an upcoming 1/2 marathon, and I decided to listen to it. Wow. I went flying, completely absorbed by the music. Each song held a memory of some old boyfriend, time in my life, party, etc and before I knew it I was home and the ride was over (average for 15 miles was 21.7mph including 2 large hills, which for me is super fast). I am really excited about the 1/2 now. I have never raced with music before. I always felt that I needed to focus on the actual running (the "associative theory"). However, I am going to try to race with music in 2 weeks, and see what happens, see whether I am going to have a similar experience to the ride. Although part of me dislikes being "dependent" on something (e.g. an ipod) I think I can learn a lot from this experience. Perhaps being a dissociative runner may work better for me in the long ...run(s).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Ooh, you remind me that I should update my running playlist immediately--I could use a little boost, I think!
I've always tried to run sans ipod during races . . . but when it comes down to it, if it gives you a noticeable advantage, why not use it? I think as long as you are being safe, it's really no biggie, especially if it helps you get that much-coveted PR!
And dang, girl! You are a speedy biker too, aren't you!
Yeah, I'm on the other side of the racing with music argument. I like to be in the moment, listening to the crowd and others around me. I guess it helps me remember the experience a little better.
Well, try it out and see how it feels. Maybe it will work for you.
Sometimes we just need music to help us thorugh the long runs. Not sure if I think it's okay for racing but it sure helps distract me when I'm hurting or tired.
music does an excellent job of getting the blood flowing and stimulating many other good emotions. i don't run with any but sometimes i listen to a few songs before heading out on a run to pump me up.
thanks for always stopping by and leaving insightful (and super nice!) comments. you never fail to lift my spirits when i'm feeling down or being hard on myself :)
Post a Comment