Circumstances forcing me to taper, not a bad thing #Running #Social-physical #Taper

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Saturday's Run

Saturday I did my last long run before the Half. It went very well (except for the minor malfunction with the camelbak.) I was only planning to do about 9 miles, instead I went over 10. I felt confident that I am as ready as I can be for the Half (at least the distance part.)

But then my body decided to force me to taper. First, my stomach decided to get upset for a couple of days. Ending with my having to slow walk my Tuesday run due to a need to get home and get to the bathroom.

And then, just as it looked like I had corrected that I felt a cold come on. The standard opening symptoms: scratchy throat, tired. Well I took that as a sign that I need to really take it easy, thus making it mentally much easier to taper. I may or may not get up for a run tomorrow as scheduled. Might be wiser to just sleep in. And today the nasal congestion feels like it is starting to arrive.I am taking all of this seriously, because the last thing I want is for this to be lingering on Monday.

I know my body well enough to know that I could very well have a runny nose that day, but should be past the energy sapping portion of the illness. I can survive the runny nose, I just want to avoid a DNF.

On a different note had another of this interesting convergences today. First, one of my runner friends posted this on Facebook (which I feel really captures how I feel about running):

And then I read this very interesting article about the rise of Cross-fit, Tough Mudders etc. What the writer refers to as 'social-physical' phenomenon. I have some friends who run these races. And some others who are big into cross-fit. And some of these friends have tried to get me to join them in these activities. 

Here is the thing, read that image, that is me. I run my own race. I enter in certain races purely as an occasional measuring stick and motivator. For example, I know that I could run 13 miles on my own, but it is a lot easier to get motivated when I have that registration on the line. And the idea behind the other races is more as a personal measuring stick, because I know that I run faster in that environment. 

But, I don't enter races for the social aspect. I am not a social runner. Running is a place for me to be alone and ponder the world. If I wanted social exercise I would join a sports team again. But that's just me, these all have their place, and if it gets people who would not normally do anything to get out and exercise, then I am all for it.

New school year means returning to running in the dark #Running #Taper

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

This is going to take some adjustment. In order to get in my hour long run I have to be up earlier, and that means most of my run occurs in the dark. And that is not as easy as it may seem. I have been wearing a reflector vest for a while now, but now I have added a headlamp. And that lamp is the real problem. Because I start to rely on it to check my footing, which slows me down. Kind of odd.

Todays Run

Kind of in a weird place right now. I have the half marathon in 2 weeks. And have not been able to get in a last good long run in a while. I keep having these busy active Saturdays or late nights with a lot of driving. I had never thought about how much of a toll driving takes on my legs. So I keep waking up on Sunday morning tired and have a hard time getting going for my long runs.

Here is my plan for the next 2 weeks (starting yesterday):

Monday: regular run (5 miles)

Tuesday: challenge run (5.5 miles)

Wednesday: regular run (4.5 miles)

Thursday: rest day

Friday: regular run (4-5 miles)

Saturday: Long run (9-10 miles)

Sunday & Monday: rest days

Tuesday: regular run (4.5 miles)

Wednesday & Thursday: rest days

Friday: Easy run (3.5 miles)

Saturday & Sunday: rest days

Monday: race

I just have to hope that will be enough preparation and taper. I haven't focused as much on taper the last 2 years, and that might have had to do with why I had so much problem during the races. I think my body is better prepared for this much distance than the last 2 years, even if it isn't always in 1 shot.

I am anxious to get the race done with so I can just settle into a routine with no preparation or thinking about things like taper etc. I still plan to get in 5 days a week, just may not push the distances as much on my long days. I still have a couple of races left this year but the longest is a 10K, and I don't really have to do any additional prep work for that.

Sometimes you just need one of those runs #Running #Challenge #Endeavortopersevere

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Today's Run

Ever have one of those runs where when you start out your legs are immediately protesting? Today was one of those days. When I looked at the training plan, saw that hour run, and then when I got started my legs were all:

'You're not seriously trying to run are you?'

And I was:

'Yes, I had a rest day yesterday, sat at the office chair, didn't even walk at lunch, now suck it up!'

Their response:

"Hey, you ran for 8 miles on Sunday then spent the afternoon moving 3 tons of rock, using good form so we did most of the work. You really think we are ready for 6 miles after only 1 day to recover from that?'

I got the final word:

'I'll take it slow, and even do a 'flatter' route, but we are doing this today.'

And with that I got moving, not fast, but moving. And you know what? Towards the end I was almost disappointed that it was time to quit (almost.) I love runs like that, when the body tries to say no at the beginning, but by the end it is moving so well it seems almost criminal to stop. 

While I am mildly worried that I have not put in the long runs that I ought to have to be ready for the Half in a couple of weeks I have to remind myself that while no single run has been that long, I still put in 30+ miles last week, and threw in a lot of heavy yard work on top of that.

And that is one of the real reasons I run, to be able to have days like Sunday where I ran, then shopped, then put in several hours of really hard labor. Because the ability to do that is one of my motivators. 

Focused on 2 goals: miles & organized eating #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

With school starting that means 2 things. First, I have to get up earlier for my runs. Second, my goal of better eating habits will be easier to achieve.

Miles

Today's Run

So far my goal of making 4 the new 3 is working. I am down to one 3 mile run a week, the rest are 4 miles minimum. Some days that is easier said than done. It was hard to get the 5+ miles today as I did the same yesterday as makeup for skipping Sunday due to exhaustion.

One of the irritating side lights of this has been those percent scores. When my goal is miles, not speed I don't care so much about sticking to a zone, especially when my route has some hills in it like today. While I know this in my head, it is a little irritating, once I get past the Half I plan to stop using the training programs for w couple of months and just run, if for no other reason than to stop seeing that percentage.

With school starting for the kids that means I have to get out the door earlier in order to get my miles in (although I changed up my schedule so my rest days are now school days.) One of the downsides of this is I have to get out the dark running gear: reflective vest, and almost used the head lamp today. But at least it isn't hot.

We will see how this all works in a month for my Half. One of the challenges will be holding to my taper the week before when I am so used to running.

Eating Habits

This has been a good summer overall, but I think we are all ready for school to start. One of the biggest issues for me has been the lack of organized meals. Without the need to adhere to an eating schedule dinners have become rather haphazard.

Which occasionally frustrates me when I get home and have to scramble to make something. But more importantly that leads to the disorganized eating. I don't always have leftovers so I end up eating out. Then I end up not being hungry at dinner time so I don't eat at all. Which hurts my energy in the morning. It's a vicious cycle. And it will end when we at minimum have those 5 nights a week or regular meal times.

Needed that good run today, just because #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Today's Run

Yesterday was not good. There was junk food to eat around the office, and I ate it. And since it was a rest day I didn't have that good start. So by the time I went home I was really out of sorts. My body didn't feel right, I was mentally tired and not very social. But I got some quiet time and a good nights rest.

And today I ran. 

It wasn't the fastest run. 

But it was mildly challenging, with some hills at the beginning. And by the end, and after all my other morning activities, I am feeling much better.

It still amazes me how much better my day is when I start it off with a run.

It keeps me sane and balances out the darkest of moods.

There are lots of reasons that I run, but this is one that I occasionally have to remind myself of. But that well being I felt after pulling out that last uphill sprint makes all the effort well worth it.