Somehow I managed 3 hard days of running in a row. I honestly think I need a coach, someone to help me be confident enough to slow down (probably the opposite of what most people want a coach to do).
After skipping the track workout on Monday, due to torrential rains, I was forced to do it Tuesday. That went sort of well. The swim thereafter went even better. I shared the lane with a guy in swim jammers and found myself competing with him. He was doing 100m repeats, and I ended up doing them too. It was fun. Giving myself permission to breath every 2 strokes helped tremendously with my comfort in the water and my speed. I don't get into oxygen debt anymore unless I really push hard. Wednesday morning my stomach and rib muscles were sore. My arms, too, but not that much. When something is sore, I usually ice it, but how do you ice your entire upper body? Chris gave me my morning hug, and I almost screamed. I never get that sore in my leg muscles, unless I race hard. I had a recovery 5 mile run that afternoon, and somehow that become 4X1.25 repeats of rolling hills, 2 rolling down, 2 rolling up. I made myself leave my Garmin at home, in hopes that not knowing the pace would help me slow down. I took a regular sports watch with me. Big mistake. I ended up running closer to MP than recovery pace. Hrrrr! Also, my ab muscles hurt like hell, particularly on downhills. Anyone ever had this problem? V weird. I know it is swimming related, from reaching out and stretching each arm while swimming. Today I had 13 miles with 10 at MP. Since I am racing on Sunday, I decided on a compromise; faster than MP but slower than HMP, on a flat terrain with about 4-5 small hills (more like inclines). My abs were no longer sore (hew), the weather was beautiful, but the run was hard. Two weeks ago I ran 10 @ 7:09 and felt great. Today 10 @ 7:24 were HARD. Not all out, but hard. The legs were tired and felt like jello toward the end of the run. I worked on welcoming the pain and all that %$#$ and made myself do the cool down miles on hills. OMG, I suffered. And yes, I am a glutton for punishment. When the run was over, I felt great, of course! No swimming today, my abs can't take it;) I am getting excited about the race. I have no idea how I will do, but I plan to work it hard! I am hoping for cooler temps than today. I want spring running weather, not summer, like we had today!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
Poor Jen, her job as my coach is to save me from myself. I would totally overtrain without her. It's amazing the difference a coach can make. Sounds like you would really benefit from one.
Good luck this weekend!
Oh I know how you feel! I was actually afraid to hire a coach last year bc part of me did not want to be held back, even though intellectually I *knew* it was the right thing... But I gotta say, training appropriately and making hard days hard and easy days easy makes a big difference in the long run. I felt GREAT all through my ironman training last year and am now a firm believer in NOT going hard all the time (but going very hard sometimes!). That is tough though when you don't have a coach enforcing those philosophies day to day.
Of course I would love to have the opportunity to work with you as you continue run training while adding in swim/bike. Contact me if you're interested in chatting about it. :)
I love how much you push yourself - as long as you're not getting hurt. You just have so damn much energy and motivation!! Can't wait to hear about the race this weekend. I know you've said it before, but what is your planned MP?
Why does it never cease to amazing me how the same 10M route can be so easy one day and near impossible a week later? Way to push hard and dig deep.
I feel the same way about a running coach...I will do it for NY marathon. I just want to give it a four month try and see how it goes, I don't want to be over doing it! Sounds like we are very similar in this area. I know you'll have a wonderful race, have fun!
Wow, 3 hard days in a row is intense! Someone said this in a previous comment, but don't get hurt!!
I wanted to ask you, do you have any tips on how to keep a consistent pace? I have been getting better, but I am still trying to narrow the gap. For example, today my splits for a 3 mile tempo run were: 6:44, 6:54, and 6:44. I want to be able to just put the cruise control on and go. Just thought I would ask because you seem very experienced when it comes to speed work :)
Keri, I think your paces are pretty close together. If you have a Garmin, you can set it so that it shows both the lap mile pace and average pace, and can thus monitor that your lap pace stays the same. On hilly terrain, I am not sure that is a good strategy, probably better to slow down on the uphill and speed up on the downhill. Still, I think you are doing great!
I have friends who run hard all of the time and honestly I do not know how you guys do it. I do LOVE to train hard, but I do enjoy my easy days too. Keeps me from getting bored. Today was an easy 4 mile walk, tomorrow 5k race day. Woo Hoo!
I emailed Jen today and told her i felt OLD. But she said i was HUMAN and needed a break. A Coach, like Angela said, saves me from my BaD A$$ self. I dont think i could do what i do without one!
REst up and have a great weekend!!!
dang, you're like the Roger Federer of running. Special and naturally talented w/out needing a coach!
You've had some great workouts and it sounds like you're more than prepared for your race this weekend. Good luck!
This post totally hit home with me. I have such a tendency to push hard that I know that is what has had me injured for the last 6 months. I race workouts all too often and will even race past other runners. But i don't know if this is something we could or would want to change about ourselves. That is what makes us good and allows us to compete at a high level. As long as we can keep from hurting ourselves.
I am so impressed with your running! Keep up the great work.
You are such a hard worker and put everything into your workouts....I admire you for that:) I wish you the best of luck in your race on Sunday:) I am looking forward to your race report!
Good luck in your race. You are going to do so well because you train like a crazy lady. Yes, a coach takes all the guess work out of it and gives you a great sounding board.
You definitely need a coach. Someone with your running potential needs to seek out an experienced running coach. If you can find one in your local area that can meet with you and go over form etc, that's a key to great coaching as far as running goes. Ask around at your running stores or running groups.
Post a Comment