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April 25, 2005
Slow
I am so slow right now. Who knows why. Maybe I am finally getting back into running fast after my maraton. Maybe I weigh too much. Maybe I am still struggling from spending too much time at sea level. Regardless I am very slow right now. I ran the Cherry Creek Sneak yesterday at 7:20 pace approximately - 36:51 for the entire race. I looked back at my log and in a disturbing trend I have become slower over the past two years. That is kind of disheartening for sure. In 2003 I ran this race in 35:33. In 2004, in the same weekend, I ran another 5 mile race on a much harder course in 36:03. And in fact last year I ran a 10 mile race on a very hard, hilly course at the same pace I ran for yesterday's race. That is pretty weak.
So not too much else to report about running except that something has got to change. I do not care too much about being fast, as I know I will never be an Olympic athlete, but this is depressing.
Here are some action items:
1. Do speed work. At least once a week if not twice a week. If I never run sub-7:00 pace, how can I expect to race sub-7:00 pace? That is a good question.
2. Continue to try to lose some weight. I think this will help a lot - I used to be able to run a lot faster with a lot less effort when I was more lean.
3. Possibly consider lower mileage. This summer I'd rather run some quality miles, do less overall mileage, and do some more mountain biking because I think it'll make me a more balanced person and a better athlete, which should probably make me faster.
Additional items TBD.... if anyone has thoughts, let me know.
For an overall summary, last week I ran 62 miles, so that was good, but I am trying to be less obsessed with mileage and more into quality! This morning, I woke up at 7:00 (that was nice!), and ran 7 miles. I have not had a truly easy day - defined by 4 or less miles - for a while but I think I'll have several this weekend in Vegas so I'm trying to hold off. I am heading to Arkansas in two and a half hours. I am trying hard to have a good attitude about this which is pretty tough but hopefully I can find somewhere nice to run there.
Posted by barb at April 25, 2005 09:43 AM
Comments
First of all, don't get too upset over your race, you did great! I truly believe that running at race pace teaches you how to run that pace. In other words, do some faster running. Quantity is not always better than quality. If all else fails, try adding on some striders or pick-ups during your run (if you can't do some kind of track work).
Don't forget that mentally you probably were not all in the race since you had going to Arkansas on your mind.
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at April 25, 2005 02:22 PM
I'm sure any type of speedwork will definitely help, all your ideas sound good. And like Blondie said, your head probably wasn't as into it and that always makes a big difference.
Posted by: Nanda at April 25, 2005 02:50 PM
Hmm...bummer you were so disatisfied....i hope you get back to where you want to be with your running soon. And I hope you found somewhere fun to run in Arkansas?
Posted by: Audrey at April 25, 2005 05:23 PM
Ditto what Blondie says - don't be upset. But at the same time, what about running with people who are slightly faster than you are on occasion? I find that that helps quite a bit. The more you race, the more you'll get back into it and the paces will start feeling easier. But don't take this one race as a sign that everything is wrong.
Posted by: Alison at April 25, 2005 08:13 PM
How often do you do strides? Do you ever just do a hard run when you are feeling good? Towards what does your training point, in terms of a goal race? Where in Arkansas are you staying?
Questions, questions, questions! ;)
Posted by: 給飛行 at April 25, 2005 10:40 PM