I runfess... I am happy to have that half marathon behind me.
Every race teaches us something new. What will I take away from this race?
I won't play the age card or blame my struggles on RA, but long distances are definitely becoming more difficult for me. This week, it felt good to dial it back a bit--to just run and let my body recover. I'm trying to sort out what happened on the race course and why I struggled with my breathing. Did I run too fast at the start? Was I affected by the poor air quality? Was I anxious?
For sure, I wasn't properly fueled, having forgotten my smoothie at home. My on-course fueling plan was a bust. But the other factors?
As I put this race in the rearview mirror, I'll continue to reflect on what works and what doesn't. I'm not ready to give up on the half marathon distance!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: rest
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Fluid Running
Wednesday: trail run 6.5 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: rest
After last weekend's half marathon, I took a complete rest day on Sunday. I was feeling pretty fatigued. By Monday, I felt better, but still a little off. I decided to try going to CrossFit. The WOD didn't look too terrible and it wasn't. The strength portion had a clean complex, building for 6 rounds. This complex was comprised of a pull, a power clean into a front squat, and a hang clean into a front squat. I built to 85# and struggled with the last two hang cleans. Hang cleans are pulled from above the knees, so you don't get as much momentum as you do with the power cleans, which are pulled up from the floor. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP of 15 wall balls (10#), 10 calories on the bike, and 40 double unders/80 singles. I completed 4 full rounds and made it through another set of wall balls and jump rope when time was called.
Our mild weather continues and I was excited to hit the trails on Wednesday! My legs were still feeling tired and the slower pace of the trails was a welcome break from all the pounding on the pavement. I hoped to see some deer and my wish came true! They were everywhere! Some were curious, letting me approach. Others ran away and there were a few bucks who stomped their front foot when I approached. One chuffed (snorted) at me, so I kept on going. The trails are truly the gift that keeps on giving!
When I woke up on Thursday, I checked the WOD and was excited to see there were 100m sprints! In fact, the WOD was exactly what I needed. For the strength portion, we did 12 minutes of 10-20 second L sit (hands on a box, legs out front), 2 laps of Farmers carries (35# KBs), and 10 GHD sit-ups. I completed 4 rounds of this and was almost through my 5th round when time was called. The Met Con was 4 x4 minutes of 100m sprints, 10 power snatches (35#), and 12 pull-ups (6 kip swings/6 lat pulldowns using a band), The sprints gave me an advantage and I was able to finish each round with about 2 minutes for rest.
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This week, I told SJ I wanted to take a break from training with her. She's been out of the gym quite a bit over the past couple of months and I'm enjoying the WODs. The coach who leads the classes I attend is very good and gives me a lot of tips and help. I'm also enjoying the camaraderie with the other classmates. SJ is very busy--besides coaching at CrossFit, she's also a coach for a youth swim club. She's also been struggling with health issues. I've offered to take a break in the past and she's always told me she's fine, but I'm not sure I agree with that. I think this will be good for both of us. I'm grateful for all the work she's done with me over the past 5+ years--she's given me a lot of confidence along with a very strong body!
The amazing weather continues! I woke up to clear skies and 46 degrees on Friday and hoped to catch a sunrise on my early morning run. The first 3 miles were into the run, but on the way back, I had a strong tailwind that blew me home. It was a great way to start my day and a reminder that I am so lucky to be able to do this!
On Saturday, we drove up to the lake. We drove to Waunakee for lunch at a brewpub. As you read this, I'm most likely out on the trails, hopefully under the beautiful blue skies! What wonderful weather we've been having. Check out my IG later to see what I did.
How was your week? Do you reflect back on a race to determine what worked and what didn't? Are you enjoying fools' spring as much as I am? What was your favorite workout this week? Friday's run was mine!
I always look back on my races but I try not to dwell on the "if I'd only done ... I would've ...." sentiments. We had a great spring preview this week too! Since I'm not running I was grateful to get outside for a few walks.
ReplyDeleteI always learn a lot from a race. I swear, everyt ime I run, it's like I've never run a race before!
DeleteWe never know how we will feel on race day. All we can do is show up and do what our body allows on that day. Not easy for sure! Taking a break from my trainer a few years back was so hard but ended up being a good idea for me. More things for us to talk about when I see you soon
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot to catch up on!!
DeleteGlad you aren’t giving up on the half marathon distance and glad you are taking time to reflect. There is always something to learn from our efforts that didn’t go as expected, but I also know the frustration! I always get anxiety in race and have to get my breathing under control. It is frustrating! I am glad you were able to get out on the trails! We have a lot of deer on our trail systems as well. They don’t seem to get too spooked by people anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see the deer up in Wisconsin, they are definitely more timid around people than they are here on my trails.
DeleteSince you're enjoying your group exercise class, the instructor, and the energy from the other participants, it sounds like a reasonable move to take a break from SJ (good for your wallet, too).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your body appreciated a complete rest day after your half marathon. Oh no on leaving your smoothing at home before your race. As experienced as I am at racing, these days I seem to make a different rookie mistake every time I race.
Me too!!!
DeleteHopefully that conversation with SJ went well. I think it would have been a bit hard, like breaking up with someone? Sounds like it will be a good change though! There's always something to learn from a race I think. Enjoy your easy miles this week!
ReplyDeleteWe've been talking about it for a while, but for me yes, it felt a little like breaking up. I think it will be fine.
DeleteI have had so many races that left me shaking my head in bewilderment. I'm not a professional, and far from an elite, but I know how to train (as do you), and still there are those races that leave me questioning this whole running thing, LOL. Fortunately, I know the tough races are the exception, so I learn from them and press onward to the next.
ReplyDeleteIdk--I feel like every race I've run lately has been tough. Clearly, I need to do something different!
DeleteThat was the title of my post last week.
ReplyDeleteYes I always second guess my races... but in the end I accept that it is what it is. I can't remember the last time a race went well as I hope hoped or wasn't hard. I guess it's better than not running at all.
Yes, yesterday was delightful... the cold is back and I'm glad to be leaving and miss more snow.
Though I used 90 sec intervals to run, I did complete 10 miles... a win for me.
Very nice Darlene! My training for the half went so well, running 10-ish m/m without intervals, so the race really threw me off. I'm looking at another one for the fall. We'll see.
DeleteI'm sorry your race was a bit of a struggle - always good to step back and reflect a bit. Do you have any more races on the horizon?
ReplyDeleteSounds like your group classes will be a nice change of pace - enjoy!
I'm running an 8k in March--with Deborah! So that will be fun. Maybe another half in the fall.
DeleteLove the deer! I made a stupid mistake today - I ran/walked 6 miles for the first time since last summer, solo, running faster than normal as my average pace came out faster than normal, when I looked at my heart rate zone stats it was 68% Threshold so obviously Too Much. Did I have a snack close to getting home? Nope. Did I go all low-blood-sugar and was I glad I have a husband with (controlled) type 2 diabetes who always has sugary sweets in the house? Yup.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Now you know what to do next time--bring a snack!
DeleteYeah, I wonder what was up with your race. I mean, you've had some great trail runs and strength sessions, so it didn't seem like you were headed for a less-than-great race experience. It could have been a pace thing, I don't know. I do know I would probably have a heart attack if I tried to run a fast half right now- I'm sticking to trail races.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a week of really enjoyable and challenging workouts! Put that race in your rearview mirror ASAP.
I seem to fall apart a my races lately, so maybe it's just my nerves, lol
DeleteI suspect we'll pay for our mild February weather but yes, I'm really enjoying it. Sorry your half didn't go as well as you'd hoped. I'll bet that missing smoothie had something to do with it. Love the pic of the deer!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed that run--seeing all those deer was just amazing!
DeleteI agree, it seems like you don't need SJ at this stage.
ReplyDeleteThe coaches in our CrossFit classes also take their time to correct us and give very good guidance. It nearly feels like having a personal coach! And I find I learn a lot from the other participants, too.
I have a half marathon this coming Sunday and it's freaking me out!
How lovely to run among all those deer. But that buck stomping its foot - is that a sign that he can get aggressive? I would find it a bit scary!
ReplyDeleteSorry there were issues with your half marathon. But how you fuel yourself (or not) before the race I can imagine makes a huge difference, I notice that for my gym sessions too although that's of course much less demanding than a half marathon. Hope your chat with SJ goes well but it seems you're both on the same page?
We were definitely on the same page. I've spoken to her since and it is all good!
DeleteIts so hard to know why certain races don't go as planned, but its hard not to overthink it...but it sounds like there are some clear factors, like fuel for sure! I'm glad you had some good runs and workouts this week that helped you move on and continue running happy!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy not to be training for anything right now!
DeleteSome races just don't go as we hope. Sometimes there are reasons, and sometimes, it's just not our day. Conversely, isn't it funny how sometimes, we have races that just shouldn't go well and they go flawlessly or close to it? Life is like that. I'm glad you got some rest and it sounds like a break from SJ might be just what you need for a period of time. As always, you are so inspiring and I admire your dedication!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to getting back to my trails. Hopefully, I'll find a trail race or 2 that I want to run!
DeleteIt's nice you have the ability to reflect back on an event and pull from it information/advice etc to make appropriate changes. I think reflection is hard for some folks, you have to be honest with yourself, and that's not as easy as it sounds for many. Glad you got the half under your belt, even if it didn't quite go as you had planned or hoped. There's always tomorrow. I admire your discipline of getting out there day after day and doing whatever type of work out is helpful and or comfortable. I'm finding it a bit harder to push myself...I'm getting easily distracted from daily exercise. But, we kept trying. Keep on treking.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy! The hardest realization of all is that I am getting older and I am slowing down. But knowing that will only help me to adjust my expectations. It will also make it easier to continue doing my thing.
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