It's coming up so fast.
I can't believe that months of running, biking and swimming are finally culminating into one big event that could either go well or not-so-well. I'm hoping to fall somewhere between "well" and "really good." Hoping.
This weekend I ran one last race, a half marathon in Outer Banks, North Carolina. It's getting chilly, so it's not great beach weather, but the cooler temperatures made for fantastic running weather.
My friend Allison and I drove out to the coast on Saturday, picked up our race packets, stopped at a pirate-themed restaurant for dinner and then got a good night's sleep in a nearby hotel. In all honesty, I really hadn't thought much about the race beforehand. I knew that I hadn't planned to go "all out," but I still wanted to see if I could improve my only other half-marathon time of 1 hour, 45 minutes (at the same half marathon in 2007).
Allison and I started out together at an 8 minute/mile pace (which averages out to an approximate 1:45 half marathon time). However, we ended up splitting up and I decided to try to hold a faster pace. I really wasn't sure exactly of how to pace myself since I hadn't really done a 13-mile run for time during training, so I decided to stay at about a 7:45 min/mile pace. Looking back, I definitely could have gone faster. The run itself was fast and flat and I would have loved to have broken an hour and 40 minutes...which is exactly where I ended up. Still, I shaved five minutes off my previous time, so I was happy.
Today I met with my triathlon coach, David Williams. I honestly wish I could have had more time to fill out his training logs after each individual workout, but I never really had the time to be consistent with it. Nonetheless, he's managed to plan my workouts very well. Today we met at a nearby coffee shop so I could ask him some more "last minute questions": what to bring to Cozumel, packing and unpacking my bike, what to wear on the bike and run, how to pace my nutrition, a run strategy for going through the aid stations, adjusting to the heat (it will be in the 80's in Cozumel), etc. He gave me a LOT of good information and I feel more comfortable in formulating a race strategy.
He also asked me if I had a goal time in mind. Generally and most importantly, my goal is simply to finish. I would like to be under 14 hours, but I really don't have much logic behind that number. Dave guessed that I would finish around 12:30-13 hours. Anywhere between 12 and 14 hours, he said, depending on how well everything goes during the race.
I'm nervous about the race, but undoubtedly excited.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A 22-mile run and 3 Boxes of Cereal Later: 4 Weeks Until Cozumel!
Rather than starting this post about my training, I'm actually going to start it with some thoughts on a New York Times article I read about marathons.
The topic of the article was about whether or not people who aren't considered "purist runners" should be considered marathoners. Basically, fast runners (who refer to themselves as "purist runners") are angry with the demystifying of the marathon by average Joes (of Janes) who enter a race simply to finish, normally hours after these faster runners. The resentment stems from the fact that slower runners who finish, no matter in what time, are given the same t-shirt and medal as those who finish in half the time. "Big deal?" is what you're probably thinking. However, I definitely see both sides to the argument.
Faster runners who ran marathons were once a rare species - the only ones to call themselves "marathoners." This definitely isn't the case anymore. I feel that everyone knows at least one person that has run a marathon and that's precisely what these faster runners have a problem with. To them, it is a sport, but they believe for slower runners, it's simply something to check off the "10 Things I Want To Do Before I Die" list. Several of the purist runners that were interviewed sound as though they would prefer if slower runners didn't participate at all - but really, is it ethical to let your own ego drive you to dissuade people from exercising? If it's one person's goal, why stop them? As a fast runner, honestly, how often are you going to wear that race shirt? Finally, to put it in financial terms, those "slower runners" are the reason that so many marathons exist now. Would an elite group of runners really be able to finance as many marathons as there are today? No. So suck it up, pass them in the first mile and stop complaining. Obesity if enough of a problem as it is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/sports/23marathon.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=slow%20runners&st=cse
As for me, I should be worried about my own weight issues. This past week, I've managed to eat an entire box of cereal each night for three nights straight. Definitely not healthy, particularly because I promptly pass out afterwards. The thing is though, I am constantly hungry! At times, my hunger is insatiable! But tonight I went out and bought some high-protein foods (non-fat yogurt, protein bars, fish and a protein drink supplement), so hopefully that should help fix the problem. Less carb overloading, more protein to allow me to finally feel full.
Despite my zany eating habits, I am proud of myself for my run on Saturday. I'd never run 22 miles before. Luckily, my friend Eloise ran with me for the first 15 miles; otherwise, the early morning silent run in the rain probably would have bored me to tears. I only had to run the last seven miles on my own, which wasn't bad at all. And I didn't bonk. On my last 20-mile run, I died around mile 18 because I slurped a GU packet too fast earlier in the run and then my stomach refused to take in any more later. When mile 20 came, I felt completely drained and definitely ready to get that GU out of my system. After both runs, I still had to teach my spin class in the afternoon. Neither was difficult, but I felt GREAT after my run this Saturday!
Finally, something important that I realized this morning: as challenging as it can be at times, this training is my release. I can let go and not worry about anything. Just see the puffs of warm air come out of my mouth and into the cold morning air. Just let my feet take me for miles and miles, with just the sound of my running shoes on pavement.
The topic of the article was about whether or not people who aren't considered "purist runners" should be considered marathoners. Basically, fast runners (who refer to themselves as "purist runners") are angry with the demystifying of the marathon by average Joes (of Janes) who enter a race simply to finish, normally hours after these faster runners. The resentment stems from the fact that slower runners who finish, no matter in what time, are given the same t-shirt and medal as those who finish in half the time. "Big deal?" is what you're probably thinking. However, I definitely see both sides to the argument.
Faster runners who ran marathons were once a rare species - the only ones to call themselves "marathoners." This definitely isn't the case anymore. I feel that everyone knows at least one person that has run a marathon and that's precisely what these faster runners have a problem with. To them, it is a sport, but they believe for slower runners, it's simply something to check off the "10 Things I Want To Do Before I Die" list. Several of the purist runners that were interviewed sound as though they would prefer if slower runners didn't participate at all - but really, is it ethical to let your own ego drive you to dissuade people from exercising? If it's one person's goal, why stop them? As a fast runner, honestly, how often are you going to wear that race shirt? Finally, to put it in financial terms, those "slower runners" are the reason that so many marathons exist now. Would an elite group of runners really be able to finance as many marathons as there are today? No. So suck it up, pass them in the first mile and stop complaining. Obesity if enough of a problem as it is.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/sports/23marathon.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=slow%20runners&st=cse
As for me, I should be worried about my own weight issues. This past week, I've managed to eat an entire box of cereal each night for three nights straight. Definitely not healthy, particularly because I promptly pass out afterwards. The thing is though, I am constantly hungry! At times, my hunger is insatiable! But tonight I went out and bought some high-protein foods (non-fat yogurt, protein bars, fish and a protein drink supplement), so hopefully that should help fix the problem. Less carb overloading, more protein to allow me to finally feel full.
Despite my zany eating habits, I am proud of myself for my run on Saturday. I'd never run 22 miles before. Luckily, my friend Eloise ran with me for the first 15 miles; otherwise, the early morning silent run in the rain probably would have bored me to tears. I only had to run the last seven miles on my own, which wasn't bad at all. And I didn't bonk. On my last 20-mile run, I died around mile 18 because I slurped a GU packet too fast earlier in the run and then my stomach refused to take in any more later. When mile 20 came, I felt completely drained and definitely ready to get that GU out of my system. After both runs, I still had to teach my spin class in the afternoon. Neither was difficult, but I felt GREAT after my run this Saturday!
Finally, something important that I realized this morning: as challenging as it can be at times, this training is my release. I can let go and not worry about anything. Just see the puffs of warm air come out of my mouth and into the cold morning air. Just let my feet take me for miles and miles, with just the sound of my running shoes on pavement.
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