The trail run is tomorrow.
This happened today, near the place where we are running: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/24355685/2014/01/03/pcso-lion-on-the-loose-near-spring-hill
Friday, January 3, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Legs of Lead
Okay, I think this is a good sign. Today, I went out and ran 3 miles and had legs of total lead. Why is this a good sign? Because my very first ultramarathon ever is on Saturday. Saturday! I will go in the woods and run 50k. If you're counting, that is only 10 consecutive 5ks. This is my mantra.
Running has been better as of late--better than my previous blog post, at any rate! I did the Hillsborough River Half Marathon and while I was somewhat slow (over 3 hours), it was hot and my legs were tired, so I feel perfectly fine with that result. It was really a training run, so slow is just fine. I also landed in a pretty severe amount of mud and had muddy shoes for around half of the run. Trails!
Last weekend, I finally got up to Croom for the first time in forever. Croom is where the race is Saturday (Saturday!), so I am glad that I had a chance to run up there. Groups of people hadn't been going because it was hunting season, which makes perfect sense to me. I also got to practice running at night, which was helpful because the start of the race is at 6am, so it could be dark. Did you know that the forest floor glitters at night in Florida? The glitter is created by light reflecting off the eyes of wolf spiders out hunting. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. Florida is not for the weak.
I am in the unusual position of having no idea what I will be doing after the ultra. Well, okay, I have a vague idea. I am doing the 5k of the Florida Challenge later this month. Originally, I was planning to do the half-marathon, but there is a 3 1/2 hour cut off, and I don't want to come up on that. It is a very difficult course, lots of up and down. So the 5k is a better idea anyway, I think.
I have also been going back and forth on the Everglades Ultras. It is in February and yes, it is smack dab in the middle of the Everglades (okay, truthfully it is a bit off to the side). You get a whistle to get help in case you see wild creatures that don't want to move off the trail! This is code for 'alligators.' There are three distances: 50 mile, 50k, and 25k. The 50 mile is out because there isn't enough time to train and I would be worried about the time cut offs. Rationally, I know that the 50k should be out, except that logic dictates that as a runner, I am not rational. I am going to wait and see how I feel about life on Saturday after Croom. If I don't hate it with ever fiber of my aching being, then maybe that will be a cool thing to do. Or maybe the 25k. Rarely am I this indecisive about running, but there you go.
I also signed up to do a 5k challenge this year. The challenge is to complete 12 5ks in a year. I think I did it last year (seeing as how I did 7 in a summer, I think I must have). This challenge is part of Mojo for Running, a website set up by my running coach, Deb Voiles (she is also the founder of Run Tampa, which is a great group to join if you live in the area). There isn't much information on the challenge yet, but you can find out more on Facebook.
Anyway, lots to think about, lots to plan, and lots to dream about. I didn't even mention the Zion National Park run or the Yellowstone Ultra. Many dreams. But I will wait to sign up for things until after Saturday.
Running has been better as of late--better than my previous blog post, at any rate! I did the Hillsborough River Half Marathon and while I was somewhat slow (over 3 hours), it was hot and my legs were tired, so I feel perfectly fine with that result. It was really a training run, so slow is just fine. I also landed in a pretty severe amount of mud and had muddy shoes for around half of the run. Trails!
Last weekend, I finally got up to Croom for the first time in forever. Croom is where the race is Saturday (Saturday!), so I am glad that I had a chance to run up there. Groups of people hadn't been going because it was hunting season, which makes perfect sense to me. I also got to practice running at night, which was helpful because the start of the race is at 6am, so it could be dark. Did you know that the forest floor glitters at night in Florida? The glitter is created by light reflecting off the eyes of wolf spiders out hunting. Seriously. SERIOUSLY. Florida is not for the weak.
I am in the unusual position of having no idea what I will be doing after the ultra. Well, okay, I have a vague idea. I am doing the 5k of the Florida Challenge later this month. Originally, I was planning to do the half-marathon, but there is a 3 1/2 hour cut off, and I don't want to come up on that. It is a very difficult course, lots of up and down. So the 5k is a better idea anyway, I think.
I have also been going back and forth on the Everglades Ultras. It is in February and yes, it is smack dab in the middle of the Everglades (okay, truthfully it is a bit off to the side). You get a whistle to get help in case you see wild creatures that don't want to move off the trail! This is code for 'alligators.' There are three distances: 50 mile, 50k, and 25k. The 50 mile is out because there isn't enough time to train and I would be worried about the time cut offs. Rationally, I know that the 50k should be out, except that logic dictates that as a runner, I am not rational. I am going to wait and see how I feel about life on Saturday after Croom. If I don't hate it with ever fiber of my aching being, then maybe that will be a cool thing to do. Or maybe the 25k. Rarely am I this indecisive about running, but there you go.
I also signed up to do a 5k challenge this year. The challenge is to complete 12 5ks in a year. I think I did it last year (seeing as how I did 7 in a summer, I think I must have). This challenge is part of Mojo for Running, a website set up by my running coach, Deb Voiles (she is also the founder of Run Tampa, which is a great group to join if you live in the area). There isn't much information on the challenge yet, but you can find out more on Facebook.
Anyway, lots to think about, lots to plan, and lots to dream about. I didn't even mention the Zion National Park run or the Yellowstone Ultra. Many dreams. But I will wait to sign up for things until after Saturday.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Hills vs. Heat
Holy cow, there are a lot of updates to share regarding running. Like:
1) I did the 12-mile run in northern Georgia. At the time, it was, by a lot, the hardest run that I had ever attempted. At one point, I didn't even want to do downhills any more. It was that bad. Also, the whole thing was at 2200 feet and over which (who knew) is really hard if you usually run in flat swamps. I was third last; the two people behind me hiked the course. But I finished it! And believe me, that felt like an enormous achievement. There were at least two points where I was tempted to go back to the start instead of continuing onward.
2) Then I did the Rattlesnake Run and the 10-mile race of Wildhorse. Both of these were more challenging than I anticipated. Rattlesnake was hard because it was a week after the Georgia run and my legs were completed dead. It didn't help that there are (Florida) hills there, plus it got hot that day. Wildhorse was hard because the last mile was really hard. Ever had to climb a hill during a race that was so steep, you needed to use a rope (rope was provided)? I have!
2.5) I sprained my ankle (not running. Wearing heels during a night out in Pittsburgh). Fortunately, it was just a mild sprain and I was back and running in a week.
3) Today, which was a mess. The plan was to do the 30K that is part of the X-Country Marathon. However, let me share with you the weather this morning. As a reminder, it is mid-November:
We started at 7:30am, which as you can see presented pretty challenging conditions (far too close to the Threshold of Ick). By around 9:30am, I realized that I was done. Just done. This race will live in notoriety as my first DNF (did not finish). It was too hot and there were lots of parts of the course that were not shady. So you can add ten degrees to those temperatures near the end. And you know what? After the fun bouts with heat exhaustion that I have experienced in the past, I didn't want to risk it. I'm pretty sure that I did have heat exhaustion, but it wasn't as bad as last summer. Probably the fact that I gobbled down some salty foods right away helped. Go pretzels.
And I was definitely not alone. There were at least a dozen other people who dropped out of the 30K race.
If you're curious, all of this is training for my next major challenge: Croom Zoom. I signed up for the 50K. Yes I did. My first ultramarathon. With any luck, the weather will be more amenable (also we start earlier).
So yeah. I have not had a great month of racing, that is for sure. But I am reminding myself that the more you challenge yourself, the more likely it is that you will run into adversity--and the races that I have been doing are challenging ones. But adversity is not the same as being defeated. Today was a mess, but that was due to circumstances out of my control.
And we now have the definitive answer: hills > heat
1) I did the 12-mile run in northern Georgia. At the time, it was, by a lot, the hardest run that I had ever attempted. At one point, I didn't even want to do downhills any more. It was that bad. Also, the whole thing was at 2200 feet and over which (who knew) is really hard if you usually run in flat swamps. I was third last; the two people behind me hiked the course. But I finished it! And believe me, that felt like an enormous achievement. There were at least two points where I was tempted to go back to the start instead of continuing onward.
2) Then I did the Rattlesnake Run and the 10-mile race of Wildhorse. Both of these were more challenging than I anticipated. Rattlesnake was hard because it was a week after the Georgia run and my legs were completed dead. It didn't help that there are (Florida) hills there, plus it got hot that day. Wildhorse was hard because the last mile was really hard. Ever had to climb a hill during a race that was so steep, you needed to use a rope (rope was provided)? I have!
2.5) I sprained my ankle (not running. Wearing heels during a night out in Pittsburgh). Fortunately, it was just a mild sprain and I was back and running in a week.
3) Today, which was a mess. The plan was to do the 30K that is part of the X-Country Marathon. However, let me share with you the weather this morning. As a reminder, it is mid-November:
 |
| No. |
And I was definitely not alone. There were at least a dozen other people who dropped out of the 30K race.
If you're curious, all of this is training for my next major challenge: Croom Zoom. I signed up for the 50K. Yes I did. My first ultramarathon. With any luck, the weather will be more amenable (also we start earlier).
So yeah. I have not had a great month of racing, that is for sure. But I am reminding myself that the more you challenge yourself, the more likely it is that you will run into adversity--and the races that I have been doing are challenging ones. But adversity is not the same as being defeated. Today was a mess, but that was due to circumstances out of my control.
And we now have the definitive answer: hills > heat
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Best. Tempo. Run. Ever.
So I have to say that I was less than enthused about today's workout. I did a bunch of errands and had to run all over town, which I find tiring (to give you a sense, I spent about an hour and a half driving....we do not kid about the urban sprawl around these parts). Also, my stomach was kind of upset. But today was tempo run day, and I know that tempo runs are important, so I dragged myself onto the treadmill.
A tempo run is a term that evidently draws numerous different definitions. I am using the one that Hal Higdon provides as part of the training program that I am broadly following:
Today, I got on the treadmill to do a 40-minute run, even though I was really not enthusiastic about things. I have been starting relatively slowly although for the past two weeks (since I started this plan), I have still not been able to get through the whole workout. A walk break was required in the middle of the running fast section. I would like to note, though, that I usually plan for a walk break at some point on the treadmill because otherwise I tend to overheat. For the tempo runs, I have been limiting these considerably, but still had to take breaks.
Today, I got through my 10-minute warm-up, then concentrated really hard and got through the building up/building down section. But I did it! Two minutes of increasing increments for 10 minutes, then 10 minutes of decreasing increments. And I made it all the way through! But that was my limit. I couldn't handle the cool-down. I walked for a bit, then decided to stop.
So you can imagine my surprise when I looked again at the training plan and learned that today's tempo run was only supposed to be 30 minutes. Which means I totally rocked it. And then some. Best tempo run ever!
A tempo run is a term that evidently draws numerous different definitions. I am using the one that Hal Higdon provides as part of the training program that I am broadly following:
My basic approach has been to do a 10-minute warm-up, then divide up the tempo run into whatever interval is an even amount of 5 units, then a 10-minute cool-down. I have been doing these on the treadmill, which makes it really easy to pace what you are doing, but really hard to cheat your speed. Also, the weather has been very thunderstormy as of late, so the treadmill is probably the better choice anyway.This is a continuous run with a buildup in the middle to near 10-K race pace. A Tempo Run of 40 to 60 minutes would begin with 10-20 minutes easy running, build for 20-30 minutes near the middle, then 5-10 minutes easy toward the end. The pace buildup should be gradual, not sudden, with peak speed coming about two-thirds into the workout. Hold that peak only for a minute or two. I consider Tempo Runs to be the "Thinking Runner's Workout." A Tempo Run can be as hard or easy as you want to make it, and it has nothing to do with how long (in time) you run or how far. In fact, the times prescribed for Tempo Runs serve mainly as rough guidelines. Feel free to improvise. Improvisation is the heart of doing a Tempo Run correctly.
Today, I got on the treadmill to do a 40-minute run, even though I was really not enthusiastic about things. I have been starting relatively slowly although for the past two weeks (since I started this plan), I have still not been able to get through the whole workout. A walk break was required in the middle of the running fast section. I would like to note, though, that I usually plan for a walk break at some point on the treadmill because otherwise I tend to overheat. For the tempo runs, I have been limiting these considerably, but still had to take breaks.
Today, I got through my 10-minute warm-up, then concentrated really hard and got through the building up/building down section. But I did it! Two minutes of increasing increments for 10 minutes, then 10 minutes of decreasing increments. And I made it all the way through! But that was my limit. I couldn't handle the cool-down. I walked for a bit, then decided to stop.
So you can imagine my surprise when I looked again at the training plan and learned that today's tempo run was only supposed to be 30 minutes. Which means I totally rocked it. And then some. Best tempo run ever!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
It's official: I am a trail runner
I realized today that I have not posted for a while here, which is too bad because I have a lot to say about my running life. So this entry might be kind of long. Bear with me. I have enclosed some photos to help.
Things that I have run since the last time I wrote here:
1) Lutz Independence Day Race: it was hot and for some unknown reason, started at 8am--which is maybe a bit too late to start running a race in July! But I survived. I walked in places, but survived. What was great though was the fact that I decided to make a 'bucket list' of races that I want to do. Races that look cool and may be elsewhere. Races that will take some pre-planning. But I came up with a nice assortment of things, along with the realization that right now, what I really want to be doing is running on trails. Because almost all of the races that I selected are trail races (with a few exceptions, like the NYC Marathon, which I should be doing in either 2014 or 2015). Even the runs that I want to do around these parts next year are primarily trail races. So I guess that this is just where I am right now.
2) Picnic Island Run #3 (final one): Did it! And finished the series. So that was cool. The race itself was less cool, particularly the part where there was a tropical-level downpour and rain was dripping into my mouth. That part was pretty gross.
3) Watermelon Run #2 (actually #3): Did it! And it was 100% humidity. For real. Not nearly as much fun as the last one.
I also found a trail race that I am excited to do. It is the 12-mile choice for the Mystery Mountain Marathon in northern Georgia. Why the 12 miler? First, because I don't really have time to get in shape for a marathon right now, particularly one that looks challenging because it will be on trails. Second, because I have realized that it is nice to do the shorter distance when you are a slow and steady runner. It alleviates concerns about being the very final last person out there. This may be a new policy (when possible). Third, because this is the elevation profile:
Notice that the thoroughly ridiculous drop happens after the 12-mile mark.
But it will still be challenging. These are technical trails with still some elevation change. And there could be bears. In fact, the website warns exactly about that possibility: 'Headphones naturally impair the ability of runners to hear one another on the trail. (They also hinder your ability to hear bears!) Please consider leaving your headphones behind.'
So my plan to train for this is to do a challenging 1/2 marathon program, along with some tricky runs. Such as trail runs. I did one this morning and it was definitely a challenge--and not only because part of the run consisted of dodging from large banana spider webs (I went out with a local trail running group on Facebook if you are looking for trail runners in the Tampa area). In fact, we didn't go on one route because there were too many spiders. That seems like a serious statement when the trail runners are deterred because these are people who happily cavort around the woods with who knows what nature craziness in there.
The run was at Balm Boyette Park, which is mostly used for 'mountain' biking. That term seems somewhat inappropriate for Florida:
As part of my official conversion to trail-runner-dom, I did buy an official pair of trail shoes. I figured that I will definitely need them for the Georgia race, but I was glad to have them this morning. I meant to take a picture of them last night and share it on the blog because they are among the nicest looking ones that I have owned. But I forgot, so allow me to share what they looked like after the trail run this morning:
So that is the news. Trail running. It's my new thing. Although I do also plan to do the Aching Quad in September, which is four races within around 24 hours of each other.
Things that I have run since the last time I wrote here:
1) Lutz Independence Day Race: it was hot and for some unknown reason, started at 8am--which is maybe a bit too late to start running a race in July! But I survived. I walked in places, but survived. What was great though was the fact that I decided to make a 'bucket list' of races that I want to do. Races that look cool and may be elsewhere. Races that will take some pre-planning. But I came up with a nice assortment of things, along with the realization that right now, what I really want to be doing is running on trails. Because almost all of the races that I selected are trail races (with a few exceptions, like the NYC Marathon, which I should be doing in either 2014 or 2015). Even the runs that I want to do around these parts next year are primarily trail races. So I guess that this is just where I am right now.
2) Picnic Island Run #3 (final one): Did it! And finished the series. So that was cool. The race itself was less cool, particularly the part where there was a tropical-level downpour and rain was dripping into my mouth. That part was pretty gross.
3) Watermelon Run #2 (actually #3): Did it! And it was 100% humidity. For real. Not nearly as much fun as the last one.
I also found a trail race that I am excited to do. It is the 12-mile choice for the Mystery Mountain Marathon in northern Georgia. Why the 12 miler? First, because I don't really have time to get in shape for a marathon right now, particularly one that looks challenging because it will be on trails. Second, because I have realized that it is nice to do the shorter distance when you are a slow and steady runner. It alleviates concerns about being the very final last person out there. This may be a new policy (when possible). Third, because this is the elevation profile:
 |
| Honest to God, this makes me laugh every time I look at it. |
Notice that the thoroughly ridiculous drop happens after the 12-mile mark.
But it will still be challenging. These are technical trails with still some elevation change. And there could be bears. In fact, the website warns exactly about that possibility: 'Headphones naturally impair the ability of runners to hear one another on the trail. (They also hinder your ability to hear bears!) Please consider leaving your headphones behind.'
So my plan to train for this is to do a challenging 1/2 marathon program, along with some tricky runs. Such as trail runs. I did one this morning and it was definitely a challenge--and not only because part of the run consisted of dodging from large banana spider webs (I went out with a local trail running group on Facebook if you are looking for trail runners in the Tampa area). In fact, we didn't go on one route because there were too many spiders. That seems like a serious statement when the trail runners are deterred because these are people who happily cavort around the woods with who knows what nature craziness in there.
The run was at Balm Boyette Park, which is mostly used for 'mountain' biking. That term seems somewhat inappropriate for Florida:
 |
| Bright and early. Some people even had their headlamps. |
As part of my official conversion to trail-runner-dom, I did buy an official pair of trail shoes. I figured that I will definitely need them for the Georgia race, but I was glad to have them this morning. I meant to take a picture of them last night and share it on the blog because they are among the nicest looking ones that I have owned. But I forgot, so allow me to share what they looked like after the trail run this morning:
 |
| Fortunately this mostly came off with a good rinse. |
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series, Race #1 (actually #2)
This morning I ran the first (for me) race in the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series, hosted by the Lakeland Runners Club. I missed the first race because I was out of town, but signing up for the whole series is still a total deal ($30 total). So I did that. The race itself is pretty nice: you run around Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, which is about 3 miles around, so ideal for a 5k. I did the series back in 2010 with the philosophy that if I could run four races in the middle of the summer, a marathon should really be a piece of cake.
I have to say that I was less than enthused about this race because I thought that it would be torture, and also I have not been doing a lot of running as of lot. Or Crossfit for that matter. In fact, I have kind of been doing not much. Although I have tried to do some heat adapting, which has mostly consisted of getting out in the evening (around 6:30PM), hoping that this will build some resistance to crazy temperatures. Is it working? I'm not sure, although this morning was encouraging.
In fact, it was so encouraging, that I may have possibly PRed on this course for me--I can't find my old numbers to prove it, but I was close. Seriously. I assumed that I would have to walk and that it would not be fun, but I did okay (remembering, of course, to slow down a bit when I felt that I had to walk). It was even above the Threshold of Ick (temperature + humidity > 160), but that didn't seem so bad. In fact, I felt that I did pretty well, especially considering that I have not been dedicated to training as of late.
I have been doing the Picnic Island runs as well (we are already through two of three) and a few other 5ks here and there. In fact, I have been doing a race almost every week, which wasn't the plan at the start of the summer, but here we are. These shorter distance ones are evidently better for me. It's nice to feel better about things, even if it was just for one morning!
This week I should be getting back into the routine. I totally plan to go to Crossfit (unlike those days last week when I totally planned to, then didn't...) and may come up with a super-easy running plan. However, part of me thinks that continuing in the same vein might be a great idea. This more laid back approach seems to be working for me, and probably I will want to get back to the grind in the fall. We will see!
I have to say that I was less than enthused about this race because I thought that it would be torture, and also I have not been doing a lot of running as of lot. Or Crossfit for that matter. In fact, I have kind of been doing not much. Although I have tried to do some heat adapting, which has mostly consisted of getting out in the evening (around 6:30PM), hoping that this will build some resistance to crazy temperatures. Is it working? I'm not sure, although this morning was encouraging.
In fact, it was so encouraging, that I may have possibly PRed on this course for me--I can't find my old numbers to prove it, but I was close. Seriously. I assumed that I would have to walk and that it would not be fun, but I did okay (remembering, of course, to slow down a bit when I felt that I had to walk). It was even above the Threshold of Ick (temperature + humidity > 160), but that didn't seem so bad. In fact, I felt that I did pretty well, especially considering that I have not been dedicated to training as of late.
I have been doing the Picnic Island runs as well (we are already through two of three) and a few other 5ks here and there. In fact, I have been doing a race almost every week, which wasn't the plan at the start of the summer, but here we are. These shorter distance ones are evidently better for me. It's nice to feel better about things, even if it was just for one morning!
This week I should be getting back into the routine. I totally plan to go to Crossfit (unlike those days last week when I totally planned to, then didn't...) and may come up with a super-easy running plan. However, part of me thinks that continuing in the same vein might be a great idea. This more laid back approach seems to be working for me, and probably I will want to get back to the grind in the fall. We will see!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
I could get used to this
Picture it: Southern Ontario in early June, temperature in the 60s (that's the high teens for you Canadians), and nary a percentage of humidity to be felt.
[Yes, I watch a lot of Golden Girls reruns]
Okay, admittedly there is a wee bit of humidity, but we're talking under 50% here. That doesn't really count. Not to mention that these weather conditions were found in the mid-afternoon, a time when you could not pay me money to go run in Florida at this time of year. I could certainly get used to this. Except that I am going back to Florida in a few days, so I am trying not to get too used to it.
I went running along the Walter Bean Grand River Trail, which is conveniently located not too far from my house and is very nice. This whole area has been developed over the past 10 years or so and they have done a very nice job. Some of the trail went by a golf course, and there was a part near a Mennonite farm that smelled like summer sausage (signs that you are in the Kitchener-Waterloo region include...). Also, a gaggle of geese hissed at me as I crossed them and their goslings on the trail. I will take that over alligators, although admittedly the geese were a bit scary.
I have had a few realizations about running lately. One of them is that I am kind of burned out from it. That would make sense because I had done so many races in the past couple of years, many of which were long and required considerable training. I did put in for the lottery to the NYC Marathon, although I figured (rightly) that I would not make it. That's okay. In this case, fourth time is the charm, because if you try to get in for three years and don't make it, you have an automatic entry for the fourth year. So I was mostly just keeping my spot open.
The downside of this is that I am not sure what is coming up next on my schedule, because I am in the process of some potentially life-changing stuff happening. So I don't feel comfortable planning for things quite yet. I would like to do the Aching Quad, which is put on by the Lakeland Runners Club and consists of four races in two days (they are all 5k or under). It's something quirky and could be fun. I am also signed up for lots of 5k-esque races through the summer, including two more Picnic Island Adventure races and three more of the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series, which I did in 2010. I missed the first one of these, but I will make the remaining ones.
Now, if I were still a sane person (e.g., not a runner), I would probably think that five 5k-esque races is plenty. But there is nothing big on the horizon. There is no point in training for these in terms of performance because the weather conditions will make it too challenging to break any personal records, which is okay--at least it keeps me running. I feel like it would be easier to get back on schedule, though, if I had a schedule. Hopefully things will start sorting themselves out soon.
Now if running were more like here all the time, it would probably be easier too. At least I can enjoy it while I am here!
[Yes, I watch a lot of Golden Girls reruns]
Okay, admittedly there is a wee bit of humidity, but we're talking under 50% here. That doesn't really count. Not to mention that these weather conditions were found in the mid-afternoon, a time when you could not pay me money to go run in Florida at this time of year. I could certainly get used to this. Except that I am going back to Florida in a few days, so I am trying not to get too used to it.
I went running along the Walter Bean Grand River Trail, which is conveniently located not too far from my house and is very nice. This whole area has been developed over the past 10 years or so and they have done a very nice job. Some of the trail went by a golf course, and there was a part near a Mennonite farm that smelled like summer sausage (signs that you are in the Kitchener-Waterloo region include...). Also, a gaggle of geese hissed at me as I crossed them and their goslings on the trail. I will take that over alligators, although admittedly the geese were a bit scary.
I have had a few realizations about running lately. One of them is that I am kind of burned out from it. That would make sense because I had done so many races in the past couple of years, many of which were long and required considerable training. I did put in for the lottery to the NYC Marathon, although I figured (rightly) that I would not make it. That's okay. In this case, fourth time is the charm, because if you try to get in for three years and don't make it, you have an automatic entry for the fourth year. So I was mostly just keeping my spot open.
The downside of this is that I am not sure what is coming up next on my schedule, because I am in the process of some potentially life-changing stuff happening. So I don't feel comfortable planning for things quite yet. I would like to do the Aching Quad, which is put on by the Lakeland Runners Club and consists of four races in two days (they are all 5k or under). It's something quirky and could be fun. I am also signed up for lots of 5k-esque races through the summer, including two more Picnic Island Adventure races and three more of the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series, which I did in 2010. I missed the first one of these, but I will make the remaining ones.
Now, if I were still a sane person (e.g., not a runner), I would probably think that five 5k-esque races is plenty. But there is nothing big on the horizon. There is no point in training for these in terms of performance because the weather conditions will make it too challenging to break any personal records, which is okay--at least it keeps me running. I feel like it would be easier to get back on schedule, though, if I had a schedule. Hopefully things will start sorting themselves out soon.
Now if running were more like here all the time, it would probably be easier too. At least I can enjoy it while I am here!
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