When it’s OK to Tweak Your Expectations

25 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by Lori in Marathons, Running, Training Tags:

Running is so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t but then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of much more than you thought. -Arthur Blank

If running has taught me anything it is the art of adaptation; art, because surely it’s something that you learn and develop over time with practice. Not everyone can flow with the tide and adjust themselves – their attitude and training – to effect the necessary changes that may be needed at the drop of a hat.

As a runner, this is precisely what you can be called to do even at the height of training. How well I know. Post 13.1 race last weekend, I made the decision to alter my pace and strategy for the Boston Marathon in about four weeks. I’ve convinced myself that it’s for my good; to ensure that I have a good race and finish strong. To this end, I’m looking at a 3:45:00 finish and will pace myself accordingly. Taking the course into consideration, it appears mainly downhill and flat and should require a steady medium pace until the hills roll in; this is where real effort and training will come into play.

More than anything, I aim to be careful of the mind game that plays out amidst the fervor of supporting crowds and other runners; the penchant I have for increasing speed when I feel strong and I’m surrounded by like-minded runners. This will present a very real challenge for a competitive runner as myself, as I will have to be careful to stick to a predetermined plan with the option to speed things up only in the final leg of the race. But we’re talking adaptability here and I’m holding myself to a high standard with nothing more or less than a personal desire for success as my motivation to follow through.

It never fails to move me how resilient and strong we can be. How often do we doubt ourselves and out abilities – we being our own worst critics – yet when placed in circumstances that require more than we seemingly have, we, more often than not, exceed our own expectations. I envision a time when belief in ourselves will propel even the believed weakest amongst us to soar to unimaginable heights; when the races we run will be those that we’ve only dreamed about. Truly, we are stronger than we think.

running-fatigue1

Source: sandiegonewsroom.com

Why a Tune-Up Race Is Important

18 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by Lori in Marathons, Running, Training, Uncategorized Tags: ,

irish

Four weeks out and I figure now is as good a time as any to gauge how I’m holding up in a half marathon – my practice run – and hopefully I get the pot of gold aka a PR.

While there are many reasons for running a tune-up race when training for a marathon, chief among them is the opportunity to ascertain one’s state of preparedness for the big event. This can be done by running a simulation race of sorts to mirror the actual goal race or as close to it as possible given the difference in distance and course. The idea is to practice pacing, breathing and fueling so as to work out any kinks that may arise. I have already decided I may have to adjust my marathon goal pace with the discovery of my recent condition; however, I’ll wait and see how this run goes before making a decision.

Hence my dress-rehearsal tomorrow at the St. Pat’s Rockaway Half Marathon. Thirteen miles along the broadwalk with the ocean stretching into infinity might turn out to be just what I need heading into Boston – at least I’m hoping. While there are no shortage of races to choose from around this time in these parts, I chose an unknown course and a relatively minor half in order to have a quiet and focused run. I will have a slight strain going in, even so, I’m hoping for a PR to satisfy my training thus far and build my confidence as I head into a final week of full-out running before slowing it down in the two weeks before the marathon. With that in mind, I’m testing out my racing strategy of starting out with a moderate pace and slowly building to a fast finish.

That being said, we all know things rarely work out as planned and there’s still the uncertainty of the weather to contend with; be that as it may, I plan on only concerning myself with the things within my control. Even though God’s got those as well, He especially holds the unknown in His more-than-capable hands. Wish me the luck o’ the irish or even better.. I’ll take your prayers.

            🍀💚😜💚🍀

Getting Boston-Ready

11 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by Lori in Marathons, Training Tags: , , ,

Less than six weeks to the Boston Marathon 2016 and I can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone by. Added to that Spring is practically upon us; after all the talk about cold weather, we can finally breathe easier and run a bit harder as there are still a few weeks left to shape up our training. Speaking of breathe, without any fanfare, I’ve finally given in to the condition of Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA), which explains what I assumed was pacing-only problems I had. Quite likely it was a case of denial with all the symptoms staring me down since winter started, but aside from saying that I will do everything I can to see this through my next race, I’ll let it rest for now as I have neither the time nor energy to dwell on what this means for my future in running. My only concession now is to try to keep my runs within marathon goal pace, which is around an 8 min/mile.
Looking ahead to what’s in store specific to shaping up for race day, I have planned:
1. Weekend Long Runs for the next four weeks alternating: 20, half-marathon tune-up, 18, 15/16 miles
2. Medium long runs (12-11-10 miles) at marathon goal pace, while practicing surges on the downhills.
3. Weekly tempo runs/intervals
Alternate weekly hill repeats and tempo runs
4. One tune-up race to replace long run raced at marathon pace and
5. Alternate weekly Sprints (800m)
Two weeks out from race day it’ll be down to taper time but there’s still time, so I’m embracing marathon mode where very little exist outside of preparation for April 18. It’s a bit of a nerve-wrecking time all things considered, but that’s just it, we’re not considering all things just those that are necessary to take us to the finish line at Boylston Street.

 

March like a Superhero

04 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by Lori in Marathons, Running, Training Tags: , , ,

Jeremyleerenner.com

Source: jeremyleerenner.com

Somewhere in the near future there are warm sunshine and happy skies and green trees and daffodils and birds singing and enjoying running and picnics and bike rides and nature walks and photography and smiling families and noisy parks and dogs chasing frisbees and children chasing dogs and single layers and shorts and new running shoes… somewhere.

The days are flying , I am running and Boston is seven weeks in coming. In essence, time is marching on. I live for warmer weather, warmer people, warmer smiles, warmer runs – life all stretched out, warm and wonderful – and to rejoice in the advent of Spring and the promise it brings; the promise of new life, hope, new growth, new opportunities and endless running possibilities.

For now I’ll just continue my relentless cycle of training: late-evening, cold weekday runs/drills and weekend long runs requiring twice the effort with some gym work and cross training tossed in for good measure. Seems even running can be a bitch at times but I’m reassured that even that too shall pass. Just like a superhero, March has saved the day.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 288 other subscribers