August 05, 2004
LSD, Speed and Getting High
This is my first entry so I should probably kick it off with a little introduction. My name is Bridget, I'm 24 and I have pretty ambitious goals for the marathon. I immediately became addicted to this site when Alison started to share her blog with us - I share her goal of someday qualifying for the Olympic Trials. I am pretty far off from that goal right now, but I am allowing myself a 12 year window to finally slip under 2:48.
My current marathon PR is 3:04.33, run in Chicago 2002. When people ask me about the course or the neighborhoods that we navigated that day, I honestly do not remember. It was one of those surreal moments in life where everything came together, I found a rhythm, and I just ran my heart out. I was coming into it with only 6 weeks of training so I told myself that I was going to drop out at mile 20. I passed the half in 1:28 and my legs started talking...and the talking eventually turned into screaming. But for some reason, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. When I arrived at mile 20, I realized I was still on 2:59 pace and there was nowhere to drop out! I kept going. By mile 23, I was losing my step and I fell off pace...I practically crawled home in 3:04.
After Chicago I was psyched about my possibilities, but the last two years have culminated in one slump after another (I am sure I will delve into all of my running slumps at some point!). I have increased my miles from 35-55 to 55-70, but I have only managed to roll into races a little slower.
I signed up for Chicago again, and although my training gives me no indication that a sub 3 is even possible, I still dare to dream. Perhaps I am slightly deluded to think that there is something magical about that course and the adrenaline rush that once made up for my lack of training.
I only have 10 weeks.
I have three goals over the next 10 weeks: get in some Long Slow Distance, recover my turnover - which has been hibernating for about 3 years, and HAVE FUN!
I will post another entry today specifically talking about my training (I am currently self-coached, which makes my training semi- disasterous). I have a feeling that this blog is going to keep me motivated and accountable. Feel free to post any comments, question my training, offer advice on training....I am open ears.
Posted by bridget at August 5, 2004 09:35 AM