Last week was the first week of tapering for City of Oaks. Not surprising, it was that much of a taper. My weekday mileage was pretty much what it has been, the mid-week bike ride was a little shorter, and the main difference being a shorter weekend long run. While I've discovered many benefits to having a self-built training plan, now is when the pitfalls of being able to vary that plan can arise. I'm doing my best to stick to it, but I know it'll be hard, especially now that the daily miles are beginning to go down.
Ever a glutton for punishment, I've begun searching for my next adventure. In the mid-distant future [i.e. 2011] I was primarily concerned with my next marathon, looking any time from February till May. However, it wasn't until my bike ride yesterday that I remembered 2011 is my year of the half-Ironman. With that in mind, I've already envisioned my 2011 A-list races: a marathon in the February/early, early March time frame; a May Half-Ironman (HIM); another HIM in September, followed by an October marathon. In just over the cusp into 2012, I still dream of running the Disney World Goofy Challenge: run the half marathon on Saturday and wash it down with the full marathon on Sunday. Oh, and the one race I am dead set on is the Krispy Kreme Challenge which has A-level priority, not for it's difficulty but it's ridiculous fun, enjoyment, and college-nostalgia.
It sounds like a full schedule, but for me, that's part of the challenge. For me, more than being able to complete a distance is being able to do it again. And again. That's why I've been intent on finding a quick follow up marathon to City of Oaks. I'm not sure what to call it: turnover, resiliency, bounce-back... Essentially I want to assess what a hard/long effort feels after just doing one. As I delve into longer and longer events, I want to develop a lasting endurance.
This matter is something I contemplate often. Do I want a perpetual level of training, or continue with some staggering periodization? How much can one sacrifice quality (speed, endurance) for quantity (/frequency)? If I try to do multiple marathons a year, do I risk missing a chance to qualify for Boston? Or do more races increase "maturity" and resiliency?
I think the secret revolves around expanding the baseline, part of what I wanted to accomplish this training period. While my long run build-up this year was fairly similar to the build-up for MCM, the big difference was the increase in my weekday mileage. Last year, the longest mid-week was 8 miles; this year it was 12. Preseason this year consisted of routine 8 milers, with a weekend 12-13. Does this year's training predict weekly 12 milers with weekend 15-17? I'd like to try, perhaps even up those weekend runs a little more. Besides wanting to be capable of frequent marathon racing, if I start to delve into ultras, I feel a high sustained baseline will be essential.
I think I've babbled enough. All I'll say now is that it's becoming obvious I am much more a runner than a triathlete. I am still lock-on to a 2012 Ironman, but still, running is my escape.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Endurance Fun
I love my runs. This is probably a good thing for someone training for marathons. But really, they are soooo enjoyable. And usually something interesting happens that I don't get to see or experience while driving or whatever.
This week/weekend culminated the peak of my training. With three weeks left, I will be going into the taper phase. In this phase, I'll gradually reduce my training volume to give my body adequate recovery for the effort require for the marathon. Tapering is always mentally challenging. After fine-tuning your body to work and work and work, it becomes very awkward to ease-up.
I've been fairly content with this training season. I've stuck to my training plan well and learned a lot about my abilities, and learned to be flexible with changing schedules. My CNA class pushed me earlier and earlier in the morning to complete runs; I'm currently waking at 4:00 for 4:30 runs. The exception has been my Friday runs. I'm opening the pool at 5:30. I'd probably be fine with doing my run even earlier; however, it would mess with my eating habits a lot more, so instead I've done my runs after work. Despite being miserable with these midday runs, I've actually clocked some of my fastest runs. It's also given me a chance to have some mild "refresher courses" on running after already having a meal. Most marathon coaching suggest breakfast the morning before the race, but also suggest not doing anything new. For most of my runs, they are the first thing in the morning, but these Friday midday runs give me chance to see otherwise.
One great accomplishment this weekend was this morning ride where I hit 70.3 miles, certainly the farthest I've ever ridden. I was pleasantly surprised.
Yesterday was my peak long run at 22 miles. As stated above, I love my runs and this one was particularly enjoyable, with a couple of noteworthy instances. First was the SUV that called out to me asking for directions... to a bank... at 6:00am on a Saturday. Unfortunately for them I 1) was running and wasn't keen on slowing, 2) couldn't understand what bank she was looking for, and 3) didn't know where "center green" rd was. Supposedly she was on her way to work security? I also enjoyed my run through Umstead before dark. When first reaching the end of Harrison, the entrance is a bit intimidating with absolutely no illumination. However, either my eyes adjusted, or some starlight helped and I was able to navigate safely. The route markings in Umstead are notoriously (to me) difficult to understand regardless, let alone in darkness, but I some how ended up on my desired route.
This led me out Umstead and up Reedy Creek to Blue Ridge, which happens to be around miles 17-20 of the marathon. While earlier in my run than it will be in the marathon, I was glad to get a preview of this particular section of the course, where I was worried about the uphill nature of it. Obviously mile 18 will feel different than my mile 10 did yesterday, but I felt good having run it.
Lastly is the farm animals at the State Fair! My run took me by there around 7:00. I'm not sure if the fair was open or not; there were volunteers but I couldn't discern anybody else. Well, while running by a tent, which seemed to house some animals, all I could hear were these god-awful screams. I'm sure they were the crowds of animals, but I swear, I didn't know the difference between them and if kids were screaming on a roller coaster. Don't know whether it was scary or comical.
That's pretty much it. I also almost got to race in a relay at the Pinehurst Triathlon. Might have been fun, but seeing as I was gearing for my final long run, I must admit I'm glad the NCSU tri club could find someone else (who was probably faster than me anyways!).
Til next time...
This week/weekend culminated the peak of my training. With three weeks left, I will be going into the taper phase. In this phase, I'll gradually reduce my training volume to give my body adequate recovery for the effort require for the marathon. Tapering is always mentally challenging. After fine-tuning your body to work and work and work, it becomes very awkward to ease-up.
I've been fairly content with this training season. I've stuck to my training plan well and learned a lot about my abilities, and learned to be flexible with changing schedules. My CNA class pushed me earlier and earlier in the morning to complete runs; I'm currently waking at 4:00 for 4:30 runs. The exception has been my Friday runs. I'm opening the pool at 5:30. I'd probably be fine with doing my run even earlier; however, it would mess with my eating habits a lot more, so instead I've done my runs after work. Despite being miserable with these midday runs, I've actually clocked some of my fastest runs. It's also given me a chance to have some mild "refresher courses" on running after already having a meal. Most marathon coaching suggest breakfast the morning before the race, but also suggest not doing anything new. For most of my runs, they are the first thing in the morning, but these Friday midday runs give me chance to see otherwise.
One great accomplishment this weekend was this morning ride where I hit 70.3 miles, certainly the farthest I've ever ridden. I was pleasantly surprised.
Yesterday was my peak long run at 22 miles. As stated above, I love my runs and this one was particularly enjoyable, with a couple of noteworthy instances. First was the SUV that called out to me asking for directions... to a bank... at 6:00am on a Saturday. Unfortunately for them I 1) was running and wasn't keen on slowing, 2) couldn't understand what bank she was looking for, and 3) didn't know where "center green" rd was. Supposedly she was on her way to work security? I also enjoyed my run through Umstead before dark. When first reaching the end of Harrison, the entrance is a bit intimidating with absolutely no illumination. However, either my eyes adjusted, or some starlight helped and I was able to navigate safely. The route markings in Umstead are notoriously (to me) difficult to understand regardless, let alone in darkness, but I some how ended up on my desired route.
This led me out Umstead and up Reedy Creek to Blue Ridge, which happens to be around miles 17-20 of the marathon. While earlier in my run than it will be in the marathon, I was glad to get a preview of this particular section of the course, where I was worried about the uphill nature of it. Obviously mile 18 will feel different than my mile 10 did yesterday, but I felt good having run it.
Lastly is the farm animals at the State Fair! My run took me by there around 7:00. I'm not sure if the fair was open or not; there were volunteers but I couldn't discern anybody else. Well, while running by a tent, which seemed to house some animals, all I could hear were these god-awful screams. I'm sure they were the crowds of animals, but I swear, I didn't know the difference between them and if kids were screaming on a roller coaster. Don't know whether it was scary or comical.
That's pretty much it. I also almost got to race in a relay at the Pinehurst Triathlon. Might have been fun, but seeing as I was gearing for my final long run, I must admit I'm glad the NCSU tri club could find someone else (who was probably faster than me anyways!).
Til next time...
Monday, October 4, 2010
20 mi #2
This weekend I completed my second 20 mile run. I finally took the opportunity to satisfy my nostalgia for NC State and drove over to complete my run. Many have heard me say this before: having 20 miles to run, instead of trying to choose only one of my old runs to do, I can combine several together for one great trip. I parked in the Varsity lot across from where I use to live (and start my runs). My journey took me through frat court towards my St. Mary's/Cameron Village loop, whizzing over to Dixie Trail for a stint down Wade and Oberlin. After a waltz down Hillsborough, I tackled Kaplan and a little Avent Ferry. A short climb in Centennial and Western to Boylan, back to Hillsborough to finish off on Morrill/Avent Ferry. In felt fast, but it must have just been the familiarity.
For some actual news, earlier this week I crashed on my bike. Out riding in the rain Wednesday afternoon, I swerved to avoid a collision with a truck that was turning left where I was turning right. My wheels slide out from under me and I took a fall. My hip ached pretty bad for the evening and next day (still does even now). I was terribly worried about how my running would be affected. However, everything seems to be ok. My two runs since (9 miles on Friday, and the 20 on Saturday) started out uneasy but both finished strong. I think at the moment, there is just some bruising and transient stiffness from swelling.
For a while I joked about being a bad omen on my exercise excursions. Now, I am becoming seriously concerned. Four times (five if you include my own crash), I have seen/learned about accidents close to where I've been running/biking. After my first 20 miles with a bit along Tryon, the news later reports of a hit-and-run along Tryon. The next week, a jog on Jenks Carpenter was followed by a motorcycle accident report. Also, last week a water main broke along Maynard (though this apparently happened before I passed by). Earlier in my ride last Wednesday (preceding my own crash), I witnessed a stopped car blatantly cross a red light at James Jackson, getting T-boned. Then I passed a car wreck on Hillsborough street in the later miles on this week's 20.
Last comments: For some reason I noticed the range of brands I sport. Sometimes I try to stick with product loyalty: my running shoes have been Brooks for many years. However, on my bike ride, I couldn't help but feel like a hodgepodge of labels. My bib and jersey were Hincapie. My socks were Craft. Leggings were Under Armor. Arm warmers were Pearl Izumi. Wind-vest was Nike. And gloves were Reebok.
I'll have a brief "recovery" week followed by a final 22 miles. Then it's time to taper.
For some actual news, earlier this week I crashed on my bike. Out riding in the rain Wednesday afternoon, I swerved to avoid a collision with a truck that was turning left where I was turning right. My wheels slide out from under me and I took a fall. My hip ached pretty bad for the evening and next day (still does even now). I was terribly worried about how my running would be affected. However, everything seems to be ok. My two runs since (9 miles on Friday, and the 20 on Saturday) started out uneasy but both finished strong. I think at the moment, there is just some bruising and transient stiffness from swelling.
For a while I joked about being a bad omen on my exercise excursions. Now, I am becoming seriously concerned. Four times (five if you include my own crash), I have seen/learned about accidents close to where I've been running/biking. After my first 20 miles with a bit along Tryon, the news later reports of a hit-and-run along Tryon. The next week, a jog on Jenks Carpenter was followed by a motorcycle accident report. Also, last week a water main broke along Maynard (though this apparently happened before I passed by). Earlier in my ride last Wednesday (preceding my own crash), I witnessed a stopped car blatantly cross a red light at James Jackson, getting T-boned. Then I passed a car wreck on Hillsborough street in the later miles on this week's 20.
Last comments: For some reason I noticed the range of brands I sport. Sometimes I try to stick with product loyalty: my running shoes have been Brooks for many years. However, on my bike ride, I couldn't help but feel like a hodgepodge of labels. My bib and jersey were Hincapie. My socks were Craft. Leggings were Under Armor. Arm warmers were Pearl Izumi. Wind-vest was Nike. And gloves were Reebok.
I'll have a brief "recovery" week followed by a final 22 miles. Then it's time to taper.
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