Happy Thursday, friends!
This week my running has been either one extreme or the other. On Tuesday I could not for the life of me get in one speedy mile and bagged a planned speed workout. Even though it was just one run, I immediately started thinking negatively:
OMG, am I burnt out already? Am I running too many miles too soon in training? Am I on the brink of injury?
Bahh. Sometimes I cannot stop this annoying voice in my head. It was still going on Wednesday morning when I set out to meet Megan, Lindsay and Ali (part of the sweat squad!) for a run. I was totally worried I’d be unable to keep up with them and feel like a big wuss.
I dressed in confidence-building gear (my favorite new I ❤ sweat running shirt from Ali’s fundraiser last week!)
I do heart sweat.
And set out for a three mile warm-up before meeting the gals. Once we started running together I finally found a grove and settled into the comfortable pace we set. My legs came alive as we chatted away the miles, and by the time I headed home I was hitting a sub-8:00 minute/mile pace and felt fabulous.
The power of running buddies never ceases to amaze me, and I honestly don’t think I would have had a great run had it not been for the sweat squad. Thanks, ladies!
I tried to continue the momentum into this morning with some tempo miles, and was kind of all over the place with pace:
- 3 mile warm-up
- 1 mile @ half marathon pace
- 1 mile @ 10K pace
- 2 miles @ marathon pace
Breakfast – cinnamon raisin sprouted grain toast, peanut butter, cream cheese and berries
Why I have not tried cream cheese on toast before is beyond me. Delish.
Hopefully I’ve squashed whatever rut I was potentially falling into, but just to be sure, I’m tweaking my training plan a tiny bit more. In addition to implementing cutback weeks, I’ve signed up for a few half marathons in the next couple of months.
Even though I’m not going to be racing them (DO YOU HEAR THAT KELLY? YOU ARE NOT RACING THEM. NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT), I love the atmosphere of races and want to change up my long run routes a bit. I think it’ll help break up the monotony of training a too.
First up – the Bronx Half next Sunday. I’m kind of excited to explore the borough, which I’ve only ever visited for Yankee games.
I have a weird track record with half marathons during marathon training, and always injure myself immediately after I run them (and then do not recover in time for the marathon I’m training for).
Case in point: after the Manhattan Half in January, I developed a gnarly case of Achilles tendonitis that plagued me until mid-April and prevented me from running the Eugene Marathon in May.
So not fun.
I repeat: I will not race the Bronx Half Marathon. I will run at my long run pace with a few marathon pace miles during the last half. Hold me accountable, readers. Gotta keep my eye on the prize!
Question: Do you race a lot during marathon training or other training cycles?
I love running with people too. What a boost! I try not to run too many races when training for one big one, it kind of throws me off. I am, trying to get one or two in before mymmarathon and that is about it
I’m hardly an expert on these things, but I think it would be helpful – if nothing else than for switching up the long run routine. Keeping things interesting.
Very wise to make a pact with yourself–plus your readers!–to use Bronx only as a training run. I’ve been guilty of blowing goal races by running all out in what should really have been pacing exercises. Seems like any kind of competitive streak can go haywire once you pin on a number and get into the pack. Other ways of reining oneself in are pacing someone who’s a bit slower or teaming up with someone and agreeing beforehand that you’ll celebrate success ONLY if you hit, or come very close to, your target pace. Have a great (controlled!) run!
thank you! those are great tips that I will use 🙂
I’m glad that our Wednesday run went well 🙂
Even though you’re reducing mileage this week, your body is probably still recovering from last weekend’s 18 miler. Training adaptation can take awhile. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to let a single run (or a week of running) make you doubt yourself. You’ve been logging the mileage, resting and eating well – I have no doubt that you’re going to have an awesome training cycle and race 🙂
Just tell yourself it is a “long run with a lot of friends” hahaha. I race most of the club points races so, yep, I do race, but I may not “race” all of them depending on how close it is to the marathon. For example, for the Scotland run this year, I did 10 miles before it and then ended it with that 10K for 16 miles total and was definitely not running those last 6 miles at 10K pace!
I also am amazed at what running buddies do for my running to! If left to my own devices I would be either a) killing myself by starting out too fast or b) leisurely jogging all the time!
I have leftover cream cheese from a dessert I made a few weeks ago. I ended up making a spread with it by adding honey and walnuts.
Yeah- best thing on toast EVER.
I know how hard it is to run races at NOT a race pace. When you sign up, you think … oh, this is no problem, it fits in perfectly with my training schedule, and it’s the perfect length! It’ll be so much fun to run with a giant group of people while exploring a new area.
Except then you toe the line and the adrenaline is pumping and everyone around you is peeling away.
It definitely takes a lot of self-control, and I wish you the best of luck on Sunday! I know you can do it, and I know it’ll be lots of fun! 😉
You wearing the Sweat Squad uniform = made my day yesterday.
Good post! That is the big question, for sure. I had to finish up my 9+1 credit in June/July so I ended up doing a bunch of races – which messed up my long run on the weekends. And of course, I DO want to PR at every race, but told myself I could not expect it during marathon training. I’m thankful I don’t have any races planned before Chicago now, but who am I kidding I’ll probably sneak one in. 🙂
The Bronx Half should be awesome! I heard it’s flat and fast! Good luck!
haha, don’t tell me it’s flat and fast!!
Interesting take on racing! I did a bunch of races last year mainly so that I’d get guaranteed entry to run the marathon again this year. I’ve had plenty of time to compare this year’s training to last year’s and I was honestly such a rookie! No Garmin back then, so I didn’t really focus on pace at all (or stretching…or fueling properly…oops). I’m naturally inclined to run slightly faster in race situations, so in the end, I think my races (the 18-mile Tune-Up, Grete’s Half and the 5-mile Kickoff) helped me run the marathon faster than I believed I could.
I’m doing a half here in Houston two weeks before NYC (eek, hope that’s not too much too close to Race Day) and then a 10K the Sunday before NYC (same day as the NYRR Kickoff 🙂 ).
I register for races because I like to race. It helps my speed and pacing by tracking other runners. I also have really bizarre racing habits, so maybe don’t listen to me. I have cut back on races this year to focus more on training. See you at NYCM.
You will not race the Bronx half 🙂
You probably just had a bad day on Tues (evidenced by your awesome run on Wed), I wouldn’t hold too much stock in it.
I like to incorporate a half marathon as a tune-up race later on in marathon training but if it doesn’t work out, I’m OK with that.
Hey! I’ve been in a “rut” myself.. training for a Sept. 17 marathon. WAs getting faster, than just upped my miles too much + too much pounding hills and ended up with a lot of pain in my outside heel/lower ankle.. thinking it’s peroneal tendonitis.. any recovery suggestions? I took a few days off running (elliptical instead) and cut out a planned 20-miler. I don’t want to lose too much fitness before my marathon, but I don’t want to have a longer-term injury by too much, too soon. I’m doing the Bronx 1/2 too – but NOT racing it either.. just long running it. FYI.. it’s NOT a pretty run…
I’ve been having a bad running week too and it’s funny because I’ve heard that from a lot of other people. What’s going on here! Is it the rain!?
Glad you were able to pick it back up! I wish I was going to be here for the Bronx, it’s always fun to have new scenery on a run 🙂
Ah! Yes – I have the same problem with forcing myself to NOT race during road races (unless it’s the goal race). Just stay focused on the point of the run and have fun with it.
You should run (not race!) the philly 1/2 next month!
Ooh, and you should try toast with cream cheese and also add some jelly on top – so good. But that fruit actually looks better.
Glad you’re out of your rut!
Yay Sweat Squad!
I never really “raced” much until I moved to NYC and the options are limitless! I have a really hard time showing up for a race and not attempting to race it/run fast, even if I’m technically not trained for it. (Cough cough, Manhattan Half, cough cough Queens Half.) At the Queens Half, I tried to tell myself just to take it easy as a supported long run (especially since it was hot!), but I get wayyy too caught up in the “race” atmosphere and all the people around and I can’t wait to run fast! I think it can be helpful to do a race (or at least part of it?) at marathon pace, which is more or less what my half turned out to be. Gives you the idea of running fast while taking water and definitely much different than just doing loops of CP!
I am admittedly not the best at this, despite the fact that I keep signing up for “training” races. I just have a hard time not trying my best on race day, especially if I show up and feel really good! Even still, I love doing them. It can be a fun way to get in the miles and it’s really nice to have the support along the way. Plus, I think they can be a great way to practice your marathon pace – that’s what I usually end up using them for.
I hope your legs feel better the rest of the week!! I’m sort of feeling the same way right now and my overall mileage isn’t nearly as high as yours. It can be a bit discouraging sometimes, but I keep reminding myself that one bad run or WEEK of runs does not define me as a runner…and it certainly doesn’t mean that my training is shot. I’m just trying to let my body rest and keep thinking positively. Plus, I’m hoping the chance of going out west for the relay will help shake me out of this run (*crosses fingers*)
Cute top!!
Sounds like you had a good run and that you know what you need to do in the Bronx and you’ll stick to it. I like doing races while I’m training, even if I’m not “racing” it, simply because they’re fun and it’s great to enjoy the race atmosphere!
Love the shirt!! I have one myself – love that it’s gray and i sweat bigtime in it 😉
As for races during training – I like to do them. I find it gives me an extra adrenaline rush to push me through to the end especially through marathon training.
LOVE that shirt!! Seemed like a good run to me 🙂 Happy Almost Weekend!!
I tend to do a couple races during each training cycle, and if it’s a 10k I might race it, but if it’s a half marathon or a 20 miler, more likely I am using it as a training run, or want to practice running at marathon pace. I’ve learned to be honest with myself about my expectations. If I want to race it, I can race it (as long as that’s smart given my mileage for the week), or if I want to see if I ran run it at a certain pace I’ll go for that.
I’ve done a few 5ks before when I was training, but I usually don’t race too much anyway. I’m always scared of injuring myself! I did do a half marathon when I was training for another half marathon. The first one ended up being a disaster, so it was nice to redeem myself a month later 🙂
[…] Comments « On Races While Training […]