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January 09, 2006
Why Am I SO Incapable of Reaching 60?
NOT age - MILES! Every week I seem to inch closer and closer to this number, but I always - without fail - miss it by a ruler. Maybe I have pyschologically doomed myself from ever reaching 60, 70 or 80 (I won't even go near 100) because they seem too incomprehensible to me at times. I have myself convinced that this week will be the magic week where I leap over the 60 mile marker with a blindfold on. I will not think about it or expend valuable amounts of energy on a number - I will just run it. I have to or I am going to go crazy. Part of my problem is that I usually end up taking one rest day and I rarely double. Since I like the rest day - or at least the option of one - I am going to build doubles into my schedule; sprinkle a few 3-4 milers in here and there.
Other than my ambitious chase after a number, I have been keeping busy with school, the magazine, and a 20 page paper that is about 7 months late. I am the queen procrastinator, but last year I buried myself under teaching 3 days/week, taking 12 hours of graduate work, and working 40-50 hours/week at a job that I quit fairly early in the summer. The consequence of this overload was my inability to complete (or even start) this paper. I love to research and take notes, but I develop clinical issues with writer's block. I feel energized and excited to undertake my current topic, but I have been staring at a semi-blank screen for hours. Well - I have the beginnings of an introduction and a giant outline, but outlines tend to feel oppressive and constricting to me.
I am excited about school, but - as usual - I am worried that I am not going to be able to handle the load in addition to the magazine. I usually subtract running from the equation, but I am unwilling to give it up for school this go-around. It keeps me sane, and I think it is extremely important to feed our sanity instead of our frequent insanities. I am not making a lot of sense (as usual), but I think other runners will be able to interpret perfectly what I am trying to say.
The highlight of my week: I ran 16 miles yesterday at 7:02 pace. I keep trying to convince myself that the route I ran was short, but I really do not think it was - and if it was, it was only short by less than a half mile. I clocked a few splits and most of them were sub 7:00- including a 6:52 at mile 13. That makes me feel somewhat confident heading into another marathon this spring. However, self-doubt can be brutal at times.
I need to go run now - especially if I intend to FINALLY run 60 miles this week!
Posted by bridget at January 9, 2006 05:37 PM
Comments
Very impressive 16 miler, by yourself I'm assuming. I say stick to whatever training you're doing. If you're comfortable with your current schedule, be careful about running more just to reach that magic number (easier said than done). I'm in the 50's now with a day off and a double once or twice. I do my doubles on the weekend when I have more time.
Posted by: Caitlin at January 9, 2006 06:36 PM
That 16 miler is awesome and bodes very well for a long race. I'm excited about your fitness level!! I agree with Caitlin about the magic numbers. I rarely try to hit any given number for my weekly mileage, but if you feel good, I'm sure you'll have no problem going over 60 mpw. Just don't tire yourself out trying to hit a certain number.
I think one thing people don't take into account enough when talking about mileage is the intensity of that mileage. I've done some 80+ mile weeks recently, but I am absolutely certain that they are inferior to your 50-something mile weeks, because I have done all of my running at 8:00 pace or slower. I am sure that you're getting much more out of the miles you're running, which is very important.
Posted by: Alison at January 11, 2006 03:58 PM
Don't get too hung up on the number, quality really does matter. The only way my mileage ever gets up is to double, usually two or three short morning runs a week when training. I like the day off and savor it. It is good for me, easy days are never as easy as they should be, so I just take the day completely off. Good luck! Awesome 16 miler,
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at January 11, 2006 09:28 PM