I need to wear a bug/face guard when I run at dusk/night. It would need a windshield wiper on it.
I wish they made running shoes with little headlights in them, so that I wouldn't worry about landing in dog poop.
When I run in the dark, I can really wipe that snot good. (Snot rockets don't work for me, there's still lingerings in the nose hair.)
I used to refuse to drink from water fountains, but it is much easier than carrying water. Of course, I stay away from the ones with gum on them.
Imagining scary things in the night makes me run faster. So do the multiple shadows of myself, as I race to stay ahead of the phantom runners.
I can't make myself run under the dark bridge. Trolls notwithstanding, I could see myself falling in the water.
Darkness seems to flow in and out of my lungs much easier than light.
....
As I set out for my first street run at home, I suit up in long sleeves, capri leggings, Garmin, and iPod. Even though I know the iPod slows me down, I decide to use that to my advantage. I decide that I will focus on mileage NOT pace. However, I don't have a number in mind.
The long sleeves are loose and the sleeve without the Garmin is too long. Needless to say, I spend a lot of my run pushing my sleeves up. My body temp rises quickly and I wish that I were wearing my usual tank and shorts. Over time the pants feel like they are keeping my thighs from lifting and my knees from bending. Cold weather is hard for me. It is hard to make myself get out there in my usual running uniform. But when I dress "appropriately" it becomes uncomfortable the warmer I get and the longer I run. Even at cold weather races, I will usually opt to freeze at the start line than to hassle with layers.
I'm getting my competitive streak back. Which is good since it makes me push myself. But it is bad since I am in such poor shape.
I saw this lady running and I couldn't tell if she had some kind of condition, was tired, or just had bad form. Her thighs stayed together and her calves lifted outward. Plus she was wearing faded yoga leggings that couldn't smooth out the cottage cheese of her backside. Obviously I had to pass her.
I actually stretched a little before my run. I never do that, not even before a race. It may have helped, however I got a cramp in my calf. That never happens. I usually have knee pain, which I can manage. During long runs I will often feel a tightness or heaviness in my thighs. I usually have some burning and blistering on my foot. But I never cramp in my calves. I kept running. The cramp didn't really go away. At least now I know that I can run through a calf cramp, just like I can run through stomach cramps.
I found myself pushing myself over and over. I know that I always tell myself that I'll take it easy and I rarely do. But tonight I realized that I never really push myself as hard as I could. I think that I push myself to the limit, but I won't go past it. I consciously tried to push myself harder than I have been. I focused way ahead and didn't even tell myself that all I had to do was get to that spot. No, it was assumed that I would get to the spot and beyond. I didn't tell myself that I could stop after so many miles. I told myself to run through the pain in my flabby stomach. I told myself to breathe hard if I had to. When I started to slow down, I made myself pick up the pace. At the end of the run, when I got passed by this very fit, very efficient runner, I made myself ramp it up and didn't allow myself to slow down even when I knew she couldn't see me anymore. I made myself run faster the further I pulled away from her. I thought about wimping out and taking any of the many stairs along our path to keep her from passing me and so I could slow down. The only thing that slowed me down were the stairs at the end of my path. When I got near my apartment, I made myself go around the block, adding another 1.25 miles. At the very end I ran in like it was a race. I was flying.
I don't do negative splits. If I start slow, I end slower. Sometimes I wonder whether I was made for shorter distances. I never train for my 5K races. Actually, I never train for any race. With experience, my 5K times get faster, despite injuries or being out of shape. So, sometimes I wonder whether I was built for speed in short bursts. Tonight's run made me rethink that. When I made my final competitive stand around mile 6.5, I realized that I still had not pushed myself hard enough. I still had enough in my tank to run a race pace. I finished strong. I didn't allow myself to deteriorate like I normally do during the second half of my run.
Tonight I realized that I really need to get my head in the game. I ran a lot in 2007 for a running virgin. But I didn't run by the book. Even though I read all the running magazines, I will find the most obscure advice to apply to my running. I increase more than 10%, I don't rest when I should, I don't stretch before and my post-run stretching is minimal, I either don't run enough miles before a race or I run too many too close to the race, I don't run hills on a regular basis, I don't do intervals or Fartleks (not intentionally), I've never been to a track, I either don't eat enough or I eat too much of the wrong foods, I definitely don't hydrate appropriately, I never get enough sleep, and I don't have anything resembling a structured running/training schedule. Basically, I do everything wrong when it comes to running. For now, I just need to focus. My mileage was seriously lacking in 2008. Running needs to reassert itself as a priority in my life for 2009. I don't know that I can apply myself when it comes to formally training. I have to try. At the very least, I have to restore my title of Mileage Whore. In doing so, maybe I can get inspired enough to reattain the title of Medal Whore.
I am never more myself as I am after running.
I wish they made running shoes with little headlights in them, so that I wouldn't worry about landing in dog poop.
When I run in the dark, I can really wipe that snot good. (Snot rockets don't work for me, there's still lingerings in the nose hair.)
I used to refuse to drink from water fountains, but it is much easier than carrying water. Of course, I stay away from the ones with gum on them.
Imagining scary things in the night makes me run faster. So do the multiple shadows of myself, as I race to stay ahead of the phantom runners.
I can't make myself run under the dark bridge. Trolls notwithstanding, I could see myself falling in the water.
Darkness seems to flow in and out of my lungs much easier than light.
....
As I set out for my first street run at home, I suit up in long sleeves, capri leggings, Garmin, and iPod. Even though I know the iPod slows me down, I decide to use that to my advantage. I decide that I will focus on mileage NOT pace. However, I don't have a number in mind.
The long sleeves are loose and the sleeve without the Garmin is too long. Needless to say, I spend a lot of my run pushing my sleeves up. My body temp rises quickly and I wish that I were wearing my usual tank and shorts. Over time the pants feel like they are keeping my thighs from lifting and my knees from bending. Cold weather is hard for me. It is hard to make myself get out there in my usual running uniform. But when I dress "appropriately" it becomes uncomfortable the warmer I get and the longer I run. Even at cold weather races, I will usually opt to freeze at the start line than to hassle with layers.
I'm getting my competitive streak back. Which is good since it makes me push myself. But it is bad since I am in such poor shape.
I saw this lady running and I couldn't tell if she had some kind of condition, was tired, or just had bad form. Her thighs stayed together and her calves lifted outward. Plus she was wearing faded yoga leggings that couldn't smooth out the cottage cheese of her backside. Obviously I had to pass her.
I actually stretched a little before my run. I never do that, not even before a race. It may have helped, however I got a cramp in my calf. That never happens. I usually have knee pain, which I can manage. During long runs I will often feel a tightness or heaviness in my thighs. I usually have some burning and blistering on my foot. But I never cramp in my calves. I kept running. The cramp didn't really go away. At least now I know that I can run through a calf cramp, just like I can run through stomach cramps.
I found myself pushing myself over and over. I know that I always tell myself that I'll take it easy and I rarely do. But tonight I realized that I never really push myself as hard as I could. I think that I push myself to the limit, but I won't go past it. I consciously tried to push myself harder than I have been. I focused way ahead and didn't even tell myself that all I had to do was get to that spot. No, it was assumed that I would get to the spot and beyond. I didn't tell myself that I could stop after so many miles. I told myself to run through the pain in my flabby stomach. I told myself to breathe hard if I had to. When I started to slow down, I made myself pick up the pace. At the end of the run, when I got passed by this very fit, very efficient runner, I made myself ramp it up and didn't allow myself to slow down even when I knew she couldn't see me anymore. I made myself run faster the further I pulled away from her. I thought about wimping out and taking any of the many stairs along our path to keep her from passing me and so I could slow down. The only thing that slowed me down were the stairs at the end of my path. When I got near my apartment, I made myself go around the block, adding another 1.25 miles. At the very end I ran in like it was a race. I was flying.
I don't do negative splits. If I start slow, I end slower. Sometimes I wonder whether I was made for shorter distances. I never train for my 5K races. Actually, I never train for any race. With experience, my 5K times get faster, despite injuries or being out of shape. So, sometimes I wonder whether I was built for speed in short bursts. Tonight's run made me rethink that. When I made my final competitive stand around mile 6.5, I realized that I still had not pushed myself hard enough. I still had enough in my tank to run a race pace. I finished strong. I didn't allow myself to deteriorate like I normally do during the second half of my run.
Tonight I realized that I really need to get my head in the game. I ran a lot in 2007 for a running virgin. But I didn't run by the book. Even though I read all the running magazines, I will find the most obscure advice to apply to my running. I increase more than 10%, I don't rest when I should, I don't stretch before and my post-run stretching is minimal, I either don't run enough miles before a race or I run too many too close to the race, I don't run hills on a regular basis, I don't do intervals or Fartleks (not intentionally), I've never been to a track, I either don't eat enough or I eat too much of the wrong foods, I definitely don't hydrate appropriately, I never get enough sleep, and I don't have anything resembling a structured running/training schedule. Basically, I do everything wrong when it comes to running. For now, I just need to focus. My mileage was seriously lacking in 2008. Running needs to reassert itself as a priority in my life for 2009. I don't know that I can apply myself when it comes to formally training. I have to try. At the very least, I have to restore my title of Mileage Whore. In doing so, maybe I can get inspired enough to reattain the title of Medal Whore.
I am never more myself as I am after running.
Pete Futa
Mark-Thank you.
Abby-No you are not. Shut up.
John-I could, but that wouldn't shine the light on the matter. Unless you think I have a poopy face. ;p
Abby-No you are not. Shut up.
John-I could, but that wouldn't shine the light on the matter. Unless you think I have a poopy face. ;p
January 9 at 8:27am
Andrew Rogers
TAO....... embrace the poop don't resist the poop. Flow with the poop....
January 9 at 9:17am
Michael Reeves
I used to have this one section that was like 1/4 mile under an underpass in houston I used to run at night on a loop. It was dark even when the sun was out so at night it was almost pitch dark. I used to run at like 5:00 per mile there because it was terrifying. Quite a few bums lived there so I can only imagine what they thought of me tearing through there.
January 9 at 5:12pm
Michael Reeves
It really depends on what your running is for. If you want the PRs and medals it behooves you to train more properly. If running gets you through the rest of life and you don't want the additional stress of a rigid training program don't be so hard on yourself when you don't perform. Or pick something in the middle.
Assuming you want the training... Read More program or the middle road then you will improve much more with a bit of speed here or there. Personally I just enjoy it so much. I LIKE going fast. But when I go slow I REALLY go slow. I find most people just have one pace for fast, slow, long, short.
I like to start the preseason by getting a base level of fitness with consistency. Get myself running 5 to 6 days a week. Don't worry about pace at all. Just run for time. If you feel good go faster or longer. If you feel bad go slower or shorter but get out there.
Assuming you want the training... Read More program or the middle road then you will improve much more with a bit of speed here or there. Personally I just enjoy it so much. I LIKE going fast. But when I go slow I REALLY go slow. I find most people just have one pace for fast, slow, long, short.
I like to start the preseason by getting a base level of fitness with consistency. Get myself running 5 to 6 days a week. Don't worry about pace at all. Just run for time. If you feel good go faster or longer. If you feel bad go slower or shorter but get out there.
January 9 at 5:20pm
Michael Reeves
Sorry for spamming your note but I wanted to share my two fav workouts that are low stress.
1. Just run 10 x 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest in between. This should be pretty close to 90% effort. You should feel fast and a bit tired at the end. Keep good form and don't get sloppy. Try to do it somewhere where you don't get interrupted by lights, etc. You can increase the reps to 20 and the interval/rest length to 1:00.
2. I really enjoy lactate threshold running. Warm up 2 miles really slow. Run 3 to 6 miles at 10 mile race pace (use a pace extrapolation calculator to figure that out). Then run 1 to 2 miles slow at the end. It's a hard run but very satisfying and I feel it is the number one thing you can do to improve from 5k to marathon. ... Read More
Good luck!
1. Just run 10 x 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest in between. This should be pretty close to 90% effort. You should feel fast and a bit tired at the end. Keep good form and don't get sloppy. Try to do it somewhere where you don't get interrupted by lights, etc. You can increase the reps to 20 and the interval/rest length to 1:00.
2. I really enjoy lactate threshold running. Warm up 2 miles really slow. Run 3 to 6 miles at 10 mile race pace (use a pace extrapolation calculator to figure that out). Then run 1 to 2 miles slow at the end. It's a hard run but very satisfying and I feel it is the number one thing you can do to improve from 5k to marathon. ... Read More
Good luck!
January 9 at 5:23pm
Pete Futa
Mike-Thanks so much for the lengthy response. That kind of advice is the reason I joined the Big Cat Race Team!
January 10 at 9:27am
Susan Hagel
You know, I think we have all been there in some way, shape, or form. It is nice to know that I am not alone with bug aggravation, dog poop, inability to run negative splits (well, maybe once or twice-on accident), and someone else who does not follow all the rules of running! I won't tell you how many I have broken too, but they are a lot of the ones you already listed! Good luck with the training! Hopefully, you'll come out again for Shamrock!
January 10 at 8:03pm
Ikamana Tulua-Tata
January 19 at 11:30am
Always cool to hear about your running experience!!!! motivating...
No comments:
Post a Comment