...at running, that is!
After the marathon I took some time off of running, to heal all the micro tears (hopefully) and tame a stubborn and painful IT band. I did not run at all the week after the marathon, and only did 3 short runs last week. I did not miss running, as much as I missed training. I miss training right now. I miss a hard run. This next couple of months I am under strict orders (from myself) to take it easy, build up my mileage, and run for "fun", mostly on trails. This is hard for me, but my body needs it. I've raced 2 marathons and 2 half marathons in the past 7 month. That is a lot for a beginner like myself. The body needs time in order to be able to handle the heavier training load that would give me a shot at a 3:20 at Boston. To keep things (a little) interesting, I may do some hill work, may run the Thanksgiving 5K (depending on the status of my IT band) and will do a trail race in December.
Although I miss training, I am enjoying having more free time, and focusing on strength training, swimming and biking. For the past 2 weeks I went to the pool 10 times, and swam between .75 and 1.5 miles each time. The lifeguards and I are on first name bases. I bet that I am the source of many jokes among themselves. As a teenager, I would have cared.
Swimming is so different from running. It requires complete concentration (at least in my case). I am an ingrained multitasker, but somehow focusing on gliding, breathing, flipping my legs, rotating my body, and moving my arms with complete strokes all at the same time seems so challenging to me. If for a moment I lose concentration, everything falls apart. Lets just say that my chlorine blood levels outta be very high right now. Swimming also makes me super hungry for anything peanut butter like.
I have also been thinking about getting a running coach. For exactly 2 seconds. I know it would not work out very well for me (or the coach). While I like telling people what to do (just ask my husband), I have a hard time doing what I am told (just ask my husband). Instead, I joined a running club, Somerville Road Runners. I hope to be able to meet some faster folks to keep me company while training for Boston. I also feel the need to be part of a bigger running community, with people who sleep, eat, drink, think running like I do (or more, more is even better).
That's all from the Running and Living front. Lots of living, little running, but that will change very soon! This is one change I am looking forward to!
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17 comments:
I LOVE being part of a running club! It's always great to socialize and connect with other runners in addition to having new people to run with. I know that part of why I did so well in Chicago is because I went to the training runs offered by the club and ran with people who helped me to push myself.
yep...a wee rest sounds like a good idea..i'm doing just that too...will start training next week,but it sure is nice this week....
Joining a running club is awesome! I'll eventually join my local running club. It just might take a few more years. My super fast friend from college keeps asking me join her club, but it's a good 45 minute drive...Boo. Anyway, it will be great for your Boston training!
Oh, you'll have fun with the Somerville folk!
It is so hard to rest... I know! But your body does need it, of course. I miss training too.
Running groups are the best. They will certianly make it more fun/interesting for Boston.
I'm also doing a trail race in January, but also added trail duathlon in December. I'm pretty exctied about all the trail running.
running clubs rock, but a coach can be tricky. sometimes the living is more important than the running...but not always. ;)
You are smart to listen to your body instead of your mind about the running. I struggle with the breaks too. Running groups are great for seeking out runners on your level or higher. Also, try searching marathon results for your state, and then look for names of people who finished a marathon around your pace (not many for you - you are FAST). Hopefully, you will be able to find someone in your area to pair up with.
Fun running time is always good :)
I've made a lot of friends through my running club. Love it! I'm sure you will too.
Dang! You HAVE been swimming a lot, haven't you? Very impressive! I don't think I could swim 1.5 miles if my life depended on it!
And yay for your new running club! I really hope I find one to settle into when my life stops being so crazy! I've heard great things about them! I bet you'll have tons of fun :)
You know, I thought the same thing about a coach... until I just went ahead and got one this past summer. I really wasn't sure I was 'coachable' bc I really like doing my own thing... anyway, I ended up LOVING being coached (who would have guessed??) and now that I am once again writing my own workouts, I find myself missing the coach. Go figure!
Enjoyed reading your blog. See you in Boston!!
A running group is so much fun, you will love it. A running coach is great, too, cuz you can run off ideas and concerns and they are more personalized to the individual. Of course, as a part time running coach, I'm a little biased :). But I love it. Welcome back to the running world !!!!
enjoy the break and informal training time! you definitely need some rest before ramping up for boston!
sounds like you will be in awesome shape come boston training time, i cant WAIT to see what you do with that round :) enjoy your down time and very exciting about the running club! i have actually been looking into one here, just havent done anything about it yet :)
I get that feeling of missing training but not the running itself. That's a great idea, joining a club. You'll hopefully, be inspired by the group or particular runners and find some new running partners. That sounds like fun!
Good luck finding a good running club and let me know how it is you find one..I am always looking. Good for you taking care of yourself...
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