I haven't been the best post-er lately. Though I WAS (key word: WAS) caught up with my google reader as of Friday, of course now I'm 50 behind.
Confession: I've hit a bit of the "blahs." I haven't been getting in my cross training and I'm feeling a little burned out. So far, every marathon I've trained for (all 2 of them) I've hit this stage at some point. I feel like I'm not getting in enough miles (even though I'm logging more miles than my past training cycles). I really feel like I need to add longer miles mid-week but I've been unmotivated to do so. If this "blah" period is anything like ones in the past, I'll get over it quickly, here's to hoping.
To re-cap my week, I did speedwork on Tuesday, felt great and strong. I did yoga once (yay cross training, even if it was only once). I attempted a mid-week 9 miler and ended up with only 3 miles, decided to let my piriformis rest and to not push it. Thursday night was Zach's birthday party! Yay! But this meant not a lot of sleep Thursday night and a little hangover (from my piddly two drinks) on Friday. Friday night I had a work party that was fun but also lasted until 1am. UGH! Saturday I was exhausted and turned my 20 mile run into 18. Which left me 8 miles off of my weekly total. In positive news, my 18 was faster than my previous 18.5. I tried a new strategy from running planet. I did one mile at GP (10:50-11:00) and 1 mile of recover (11:30-11:45). I ended was a time of 3:30:15/11:40 AP. I was averaging closer to my max recovery pace but it was speedier than the 12:15 AP of my last 18.5. It was a painful run, I was tired. This week it's operation sleep & operation get-rid-of-the-blahs.
Sunday I spectated the Bridge to Brews 10k. It was another gloriously sunny day! (Did I mention from my Saturday run that I now have tan lines??!!) All the PB&J's (except Erika and me) were running. Everyone did fantastic! I took a few photos but haven't transferred them from the camera. It was awesome to see everyone finish. I saw Mr. Pi first (he ran under 7 min miles!), then Zach, Emily, Jen, Sarah and Amy. I loved being there to cheer on my fellow runners. I know Mr. Pi and Amy had PRs, not sure about the rest of the team (I'm not caught up on my race report reading). After the race, there was talk of a PB&J invitational this summer hosted by event director Amy. I have to say I'm pretty excited about this concept (despite knowing I'll be the last PB&J to finish). Maybe I can co-host with her and we'll open it up to virtual participants.
As I said this week is operation sleep and rid-the-blahs. Here is my plan:
Tonight, after work, I want to go out for a run without a pace in mind (maybe I'll even go out without Geoff). The goal of the run tonight is to remember why I love to run. It's going to sunny and warm...I'm sure there will be birds chirping and lots of people out enjoying the weather. After the run, I'd like to sneak in a short yoga session to loosen up. (Bedtime: 9:00-9:30pm)
Track Tuesday on Tuesday evening. We're taking Track Tuesday to Sarah's cult. I hope to be inspired by my surroundings and channel my inner Sara Goucher. (Bedtime: 9:00-9:30pm)
Wednesday-- Mid week longish run -OR- swim/weights (depends on the butt after track Tuesday) (Bedtime: 9:00-9:30pm)
Thursday-- Mid week longish run -OR- swim/weights (depends on what happens Wednesday) (Bedtime: 8:30 - 9:00pm, if doing long run Friday)
Friday-- Depends on Wed/Thurs and the weather. If I do my longish mid-week on Wednesday and the weather is nice I'll do my long run (we're going out of town this week to a wedding, I took the whole day off but Mr. Pi has a morning meeting so I would have time to run in the morning). If the weather is crappy and I did my longish mid-week run on Thursday then I might do another swim or go to spin and save the long run for Saturday morning. (Bedtime: 9:00-9:30pm)
Saturday/Sunday-- Depends on the previous workouts. Either long run or short recovery run, long walk or yoga. (Bedtime: Flexible given I'll be at an evening wedding.)
I like to be flexible with workouts, this week a little more so than usual. Given that I'm going to be traveling.
I do have a question for all of you. I missed my 20 mile run this weekend. Technically I'm in a stepback week where I'm only doing 15-16 miles. I really want to get in two 20 mile runs this training cycle, should I do 20 this weekend and stepback next weekend before doing my final 20? Or, should I continue on my training plan and just do one 20?
17 comments:
Sorry to hear about the blahs. Sounds like you have a great plan this week. I don't really have enough marathon experience to give you advice about fitting in another 20 miler-- you probably can tell from your body whether you're up to two long weeks in a row. Oh, and great job to Mr Pi on a 10k PR!
I have also been slacking on my x-train days, which makes me sad, as my workout calendar is all running & blanks!
This week my 10-week yoga series starts, so at least I'll have Thursday yogas for the next 10 weeks! And the architect is tuning up my bike, so I can start riding my bike once a week, and I swear that I will swim on Friday after my trail run. Or maybe before. Before would probably be better - I'm probably much more likely to skip the post-run swim than the post-swim run!
Ah, I hate the blahs! 20 milers are just as much mental as physical, so it's essential before your first, but a little less important on your 2nd, 3rd, etc.
I say if you missed your long run altogether you are ok to do the 20 miler.. otherwise you might just stick to the plan
that's the stage in my training cycle where i try to count sex as cross-training. it never works.
Hey, we've all had the blahs, I had them for a week and just threw in the towel but we will come back strong my giraffe!!!! :) ha ha, can't wait for SD!
The blahs are going around! Which is super sad because it's so nice outside! We need to rally :)
Thanks for cheering this weekend!
Wow, so dedicated you can go to bed that early. I have NO idea how you do it.
If I were you (and of course I have no authority to say this), I would do a 15/16 miler this weekend to get back in the groove and complete a more comforatble distance and then try and head out for 20 the following weekend. I know after my crappy 17 having only 15 the week after was a nice confidence booster.
Good idea on just getting out there and enjoying a run and a beautiful day. That is the motivation that got me into running and keeps me going through many blah moods of my own. I say you leave Geoff at home too... and frankly I'm getting a little jealous of how much time he gets to spend with you. MWAH!
Sorry about the running funk! I'm sure it will pass soon, especially since you've got a nice plan for the coming week!
No idea about 20 miles, sorry I can't be more helpful!
Oooh I love the idea of the Invitational! That would be so fun.
I think you should do the step-back week as planned. 18 is a very long run so not that different than a 20.
Good luck getting rid of the blahs! :)
i hate getting in the blahs, hope you get out of yours soon!!!
depending on how you feel this week, i might go for 20 this weekend? personally i get even more messed up when i am always trying to alter my schedule. for me the best mental thing is to have it and just do what it says rather than always trying to move it around. i felt like for CIM i was constantly moving around days and stuff which really just left me more frustrated than anything. you know you can run a marathon, so as long as you have the one 20 miler in there (along with your 18+'s) you will be good. anyways (sorry that got long and might not make any sense) whatever you think will make you stronger mentally go with :)
hope you find your mojo soon! :) hang in there.
I'm sure you will get out of your funk soon!
I hope you shake those blahs! It happens to all of us and it stinks.
I might not be the best person to help you with your question because I will run a 20, 30, and 40miler in the next week alone. There is no such thing as moderation in ultras.
I think it would not hurt if you ran a semi long run of about 15 miles and a 20+ miler in the same week. I like to do these kind of runs back 2 back so the body knows what it feels like running tired.
Do not be scared to suffer. The body adapts to the demands.
Stick to the plan. Overtraining is on par with undertraining. If you're feeling blah, it might be your body telling you to back off and be nice to yourself, not beat yourself up more.
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