There is a nice group of us that have been blogging for the past decade. We have learned from each other, shared in successes, cheered each other on, encouraged each other, silently stalked, and developed friendships. Over the past couple of years, a majority of us are writing less. And less. And less.
I have had so many thoughts on this, and how it applies to me. I have now been in the sport for a decade. But you know, (almost) 38 is different from 28. So much has changed, but then again, I am still the same person and a lot of my goals are the same. So, many things have not changed as well.
But, I could never really put into a blog post what has been going on. What is different? What does racing mean or not mean to me? Where to go from here?
And this post - of course by Jen Harrison- just nailed it on the head for me. She always has a good way of putting into words the way that I feel about so many things.
I relate to so much on this post, and I definitely struggle to find where triathlon and sport in general fits into my life now. It is not a loss of goals or loss of love from the sport, but it is a realization that there are many things going on in my life that deserve my attention.
A few weeks ago I ran with my good and wise friend Billy, and he asked me if the tail was wagging the dog. I thought...no, I am in control of this. But really, he sensed that I was not, and he mentioned it several times to me throughout the course of our run. He asked me how long I have been doing this, and I said 10 years. But really, he said, I have been doing this for 30 years. 30 years of sports, with about 23 or so being pretty dern competitive and mentally and physically dogging myself out to be the best athlete I could be.
So, I have lately been asking myself. Is the tail wagging the dog?
And to give you an example of how triathlon has fit into my life since becoming a mom, I have been riding on a broken aero bar pad for 2 years. 2. 2! Never got it fixed. Never bothered to deal with the discomfort. Wednesday I located an extra pad (which was rusted through...another sign of my neglect) and switched it out. It took 10 minutes. 10 minutes in the span of 2 years. Now, THAT said something to me. (but really, isn't the aero pad just a different version of the broken rear brake that I raced on? Or the nerve issues in my foot that I never addressed? Different symptom of the same issue.)
With that, I am signing off. Read Jen's post. It is good stuff.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
20 Miler and Growing Pains
I had my first 20 miler of 2016 last weekend. I NEVER take for granted my gratitude in being able to complete these. I very clearly remember my first marathon training long run back in 2002/2003. It was such a struggle and such an accomplishment. Never did I ever imagine I would be able to just wake up and run 20 miles as if it were just part of my day.
And now, I am at that point. I have done several ironman races. I have run several marathons. I have run a bunch of 20 milers. I can now go and run a 20 miler without too much stress. I actually stress less about the run now and more about how I am going to fit it in without interrupting my family weekend.
After a long layoff from the long run, I am happy to say that I was fine. I did my normal aerobic long run, which is where I wear my HR monitor, stay true to Z2/MAF running, and just complete the distance without concern for pace. I think this is a nice approach in a build up to a marathon. Sure, there is a time and a place for marathon miles, fast finish long runs, etc. But, when you are doing your first 20 miler in a long time, just go run it easy. (because 20 miles is not really easy on the body, so why double the stress? Just let time on your feet be the only stressor for that day).
What is funny to me is how I had friends that wanted to know what my pace was for my 20 miler, thinking it was indicative of my upcoming marathon pace. Um, I don't operate like that. My training, at the end of my marathon training cycle, will dictate my marathon pace. It will be where it is. I don't force some arbitrary pace onto my long runs without reason or prior training to suggest that I should be holding xyz pace. I have found that this philosophy is just foreign to people that like to run fast/short and/or very numbers oriented. But really, if I start off yapping and warming up at a 9:45 pace, but then run 8:15s at the end, and my average is 9 min pace, was that really my long run average pace? Does it matter? I mean, I just don't even look at average pace or tie it into my training, except simply to say that I don't run the entirety of my long runs at my hopeful marathon pace. That doesn't make sense. Elites don't do it. Why do age groupers?
So, 7 more weeks to go. I am feeling "meh" about my training for Boston. It is not bad, but it is not special. I have done zero speedwork and zero tempo runs. I just don't feel like I am crossing all of the Ts on this preparation, but you know, I asked for a different view and a different plan, and I am going to stick with it. This weekend is a half marathon. And, as usual, I will get to the line having ZERO clue what pace I should try to hold. Since I haven't run a single mile under 8 minute pace since October, I guess I shouldn't really have any expectations short of just getting out there and dealing with the lactate in my blood and calling it a good training day.
And growing pains. This is all part of the growing pains that come when you start over with a new plan. I don't want to start over. I shouldn't start over. I have been doing this for a long time. I just ran a marathon 6 months ago. But, you know, when you ask for something new, you are also asking to clean the slate and start over. That sometimes means you take steps backwards, for seemingly no reason. But, it also means that you are fully committing to something new and good, and hoping that the return on the end is worth the payout on the front.
And now, I am at that point. I have done several ironman races. I have run several marathons. I have run a bunch of 20 milers. I can now go and run a 20 miler without too much stress. I actually stress less about the run now and more about how I am going to fit it in without interrupting my family weekend.
After a long layoff from the long run, I am happy to say that I was fine. I did my normal aerobic long run, which is where I wear my HR monitor, stay true to Z2/MAF running, and just complete the distance without concern for pace. I think this is a nice approach in a build up to a marathon. Sure, there is a time and a place for marathon miles, fast finish long runs, etc. But, when you are doing your first 20 miler in a long time, just go run it easy. (because 20 miles is not really easy on the body, so why double the stress? Just let time on your feet be the only stressor for that day).
What is funny to me is how I had friends that wanted to know what my pace was for my 20 miler, thinking it was indicative of my upcoming marathon pace. Um, I don't operate like that. My training, at the end of my marathon training cycle, will dictate my marathon pace. It will be where it is. I don't force some arbitrary pace onto my long runs without reason or prior training to suggest that I should be holding xyz pace. I have found that this philosophy is just foreign to people that like to run fast/short and/or very numbers oriented. But really, if I start off yapping and warming up at a 9:45 pace, but then run 8:15s at the end, and my average is 9 min pace, was that really my long run average pace? Does it matter? I mean, I just don't even look at average pace or tie it into my training, except simply to say that I don't run the entirety of my long runs at my hopeful marathon pace. That doesn't make sense. Elites don't do it. Why do age groupers?
So, 7 more weeks to go. I am feeling "meh" about my training for Boston. It is not bad, but it is not special. I have done zero speedwork and zero tempo runs. I just don't feel like I am crossing all of the Ts on this preparation, but you know, I asked for a different view and a different plan, and I am going to stick with it. This weekend is a half marathon. And, as usual, I will get to the line having ZERO clue what pace I should try to hold. Since I haven't run a single mile under 8 minute pace since October, I guess I shouldn't really have any expectations short of just getting out there and dealing with the lactate in my blood and calling it a good training day.
And growing pains. This is all part of the growing pains that come when you start over with a new plan. I don't want to start over. I shouldn't start over. I have been doing this for a long time. I just ran a marathon 6 months ago. But, you know, when you ask for something new, you are also asking to clean the slate and start over. That sometimes means you take steps backwards, for seemingly no reason. But, it also means that you are fully committing to something new and good, and hoping that the return on the end is worth the payout on the front.
The view from the top!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Warming Up
One thing I have started to embrace is how much warm up I require to really fire. I used to think I was just slow. Then I blamed age. I finally put the pieces together and realized my body does not sprint out of the gate. It is not a matter of forcing it, caring more, or trying harder. It just simply takes me time.
It it sometimes tough to be a slow warmer-upper. I can't start a run with a friend that is married to their average pace on their garmin because I don't want to start off "on pace." I can't keep up with faster run groups, at least for the first few miles. (Or I can keep up but I am miserable.) I struggle with early swim sets. I feel grumpy when people are pushing the pace of group rides in the first few miles. (even if they aren't really pushing, it feels like pushing to me!)
But the positive to my physiology is that I can generally last a but longer in sessions. I usually feel better at the 3500 yard of swim class then I did at 1500, and I am faster too. In our swim set today, I dropped 7 seconds from my fast 50 pace from the 1st 50 to the 36th 50. I seriously thought Gil was going to make me redo the set since I finally found my groove.
I think the other issue is the timing of my training. Early person I am not, although I am trying! Most of my training happens at 5am. I generally set my alarm at 4:20 to get going at 5am. And honestly, I am still just not awake. My body is not awake. I have tried taking in a little caffeine, using the foam roller, stretching, etc. I just don't think I can realistically wake up much earlier. I think that the time of day we train does make a difference. I am probably a person that would do much better with later morning training.
Here is how I have worked on to help me embrace my physiology, enjoy training, and do my best:
1. If I can, I try to run a couple of miles before meeting friends for a group run. That way, I don't have to worry about garmin paces or keeping up. Plus I get a little time to just kind of jog, stretch, and shake off the rust without having to hang on to the back of a group right away.
2. I just relax at the beginning of swim class, and I don't sweat intervals anymore. If we start a set and I am not hitting paces I know I can hit, I just dial it back and relax. I tell myself, "oh, I am not warmed up yet. Let's just swim and see if it comes around." And most of the time it does, like today. And sometimes it doesn't, like last week when I was just slower.
3. I really extend my warm up on the bike. Most of the workouts call for a 20-30 minute warm up. But I really need 20 minutes super easy, followed by another 20-25 minutes aerobic. And then, it helps me to have a few really short pick ups. And maybe then I am ready for whatever the work out calls for me to do.
4. I just don't worry about pace when I am not on. I realize it is hard to do picture perfect training early in the dark morning before out vestibular, somatosensory, and visual systems are really ready to go. So, I just do the best I can and then get on with my day.
5. I tell myself that it is better to work with what our bodies give us than to stress what it doesn't. Part of the fun of life is taking our unique qualities, unlocking the mysteries of our own, awesome bodies, and then making the most out of what we have.
Happy Training!
It it sometimes tough to be a slow warmer-upper. I can't start a run with a friend that is married to their average pace on their garmin because I don't want to start off "on pace." I can't keep up with faster run groups, at least for the first few miles. (Or I can keep up but I am miserable.) I struggle with early swim sets. I feel grumpy when people are pushing the pace of group rides in the first few miles. (even if they aren't really pushing, it feels like pushing to me!)
But the positive to my physiology is that I can generally last a but longer in sessions. I usually feel better at the 3500 yard of swim class then I did at 1500, and I am faster too. In our swim set today, I dropped 7 seconds from my fast 50 pace from the 1st 50 to the 36th 50. I seriously thought Gil was going to make me redo the set since I finally found my groove.
I think the other issue is the timing of my training. Early person I am not, although I am trying! Most of my training happens at 5am. I generally set my alarm at 4:20 to get going at 5am. And honestly, I am still just not awake. My body is not awake. I have tried taking in a little caffeine, using the foam roller, stretching, etc. I just don't think I can realistically wake up much earlier. I think that the time of day we train does make a difference. I am probably a person that would do much better with later morning training.
Here is how I have worked on to help me embrace my physiology, enjoy training, and do my best:
1. If I can, I try to run a couple of miles before meeting friends for a group run. That way, I don't have to worry about garmin paces or keeping up. Plus I get a little time to just kind of jog, stretch, and shake off the rust without having to hang on to the back of a group right away.
2. I just relax at the beginning of swim class, and I don't sweat intervals anymore. If we start a set and I am not hitting paces I know I can hit, I just dial it back and relax. I tell myself, "oh, I am not warmed up yet. Let's just swim and see if it comes around." And most of the time it does, like today. And sometimes it doesn't, like last week when I was just slower.
3. I really extend my warm up on the bike. Most of the workouts call for a 20-30 minute warm up. But I really need 20 minutes super easy, followed by another 20-25 minutes aerobic. And then, it helps me to have a few really short pick ups. And maybe then I am ready for whatever the work out calls for me to do.
4. I just don't worry about pace when I am not on. I realize it is hard to do picture perfect training early in the dark morning before out vestibular, somatosensory, and visual systems are really ready to go. So, I just do the best I can and then get on with my day.
5. I tell myself that it is better to work with what our bodies give us than to stress what it doesn't. Part of the fun of life is taking our unique qualities, unlocking the mysteries of our own, awesome bodies, and then making the most out of what we have.
Happy Training!
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