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April 23, 2005
A Lesson Learned
This is really a lesson that I have learned before, and probably should have known better. Being stubborn, I did not want to admit that this would probably happen today. Trying to have a decent run the day after a deep-tissue massage is not a good idea. Running immediately after a deep-tissue massage is an even worse idea. I have done both. Seeing as there was virtually no activity yesterday after having my legs kneaded, this morning was not a pretty run. The massage therapist and I even discussed this fact when we set up the appointment. I figured that I would be OK because I have been getting massages for a while, but that was not to be.
The weather this morning was not great...damp, cool, humid, overcast. Just the kind of weather that can pull you down when you just want to stay under the covers. This morning was one of those mornings that I just wanted to pull the comforter over my head and stay there for a long time. Anyhow, I decided that I would not stay in bed all day long and be a lazy slug. My plan had been to run for 2:20 to 2:30. After about half an hour of running with K I knew that it was going to be a pretty dreadful run. We did our usual out and back course since I really do not need super hilly courses anymore. We stopped at the gas station and used the bathroom. I knew about six miles in that I needed to go, but I would much rather use a toilet when it is available than to squat in the shrubs. I felt pretty weak on the hills, actually I felt pretty weak in general. We got back to the school around 1:55 and K stopped.
I kept on going and did the same extra loop that I did last weekend. At the entrance to the neighborhood that I was adding on in; I stopped to stretch, take a drink, and take off my long sleeve shirt. My legs felt so tight and not flexible. The stretching did help me out some. The main problem is coming back to the car is a nice uphill. I got back in just over 2:20 and was done. That was it, there was no way on earth that I would have been able to go on for another ten minutes. I wanted to know how far it was, so I drove the extra loop before heading over to the gym. I turns out that witht the addition, the course comes to a total of just about 19.5 miles.
I dragged myself into the gym and got out of my soaking wet clothes. I rode the bike for an hour, which felt like an eternity. I did catch up on all of my gossip since I was reading Star magazine. After 40 minutes I did have to get off the bike and buy a bottle of water. After riding the bike I lifted. Staying with the heavier weights and added some extra sets, my upper body is going to be mighty sore tomorrow. On the way home, I stopped to buy a bag of ice. My thinking was that sitting in the ice tub may help to revitalize my legs. All I know is that I am a popsicle right about now!
I had to think some about Audrey's question. In smaller races, the men don't seem to bother me all that much. Most of the men who seem to be running similar times are either the men who go out way too fast or are the men who are trying to impress by sprinting as fast as they possibly can when they see the finish line. Now, the first group I usually end up passing. The second group are the ones I just let go. Don't get me wrong, I am competitive with certain men, but women bring out my killer instincts. In larger races, I like to set my sights on men and pick them off.
I would like to thank Alison for her vote of confidence. Most of my training has been based on 6 minute pace for some time. Sometimes I think that I need to incorportate much faster speed, but that seems to throw me off and races turn out much worse. The theory that J has been working with me on for the past two years is to learn pace. Hopefully, the next time I run a marathon, 6:00 pace won't feel too bad!!! :) I've learned the hard way that running 5:20 pace and I don't mix...I end up going out too fast in races and barely holding on. When I work out at race pace, I know what it feels like and can do it in a race. I've learned to stop looking at my watch and can judge the pace some by feeling.
Well, this is turning into quite a novel. I want to catch up on everyone else's blogs and my mom and I are heading over to Target later on this afternoon. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends!
Posted by Blondie at April 23, 2005 01:16 PM
Comments
I really don't know how you bike for an hour and lift after all your long runs! I find that really incredible! Don't you get hungry? I feel I'd probably have energy to do a workout, being on a "roll" from a long run, but I think I'd be starved....
Posted by: Nanda at April 25, 2005 11:16 AM