giving it some thought..
so, i've been giving it some thought, and..
i think i'm ready to start training again.
training, as in running training, again, for... a race.
nothing serious, nothing out of control, maybe something like a half-ironman or so?!
WHUU! half-ironman. uhhh. no. that'd be a misprint on my end. lets try..
half m-a-r-a-t-h-o-n...! yeah. that has a better ring to it!
pffft.
half ironman.. BAH! where'd that come from?! must be something in the water...
ok, moving on.
as i take back control of my obviously crack-induced delusional fingers, what i was trying to say is..
i think i'm ready to start running again.
its september, and the leaves are just thisclose to starting to turn.. the weather's getting cooler, the air has that fall's here, even if you can't see it yet smell to it..
and.. its begging me to run.
i've been fighting the itch for a while now. i've had a few good runs.. with today's being no different. nothing long, nothing even almost remotely resembling long.. today was a timed mile and an easy jog back (mile 1 at 10:15 and mile 2 at 11:30/40-something.. thats it! and i make no apologies for the length. that was enough for me today! hell i thought i might throw up at my turn-around point.
as you all know 10:15 on a false flat ain't easy for this chick right here!)
but.. it just feels right to be out in the cool fresh air.. and now that i know what its like to run at this time of year, and that i enjoy it.. i want to get back out there, lace up, and see what i've got in me.
so.. like i said. i'm thinking i'm ready to start training again.
but...
i'm not jumping back into it all full-fledged marathon training style.
i wanna do it right this time.
so.
i need some advice.
one.. is there a half-marathon in december-ish that anyone's doing? cuz if i could get excited about a race, i could nail down this training situation..
and two.. how do i do this again?! i've completely forgot.
or maybe i never really knew.
because.. here's the thing.
i'm not the same runner i was a year ago. or even six months ago.
my body, thanks to crossfit and my new approach to nutrition (i'm in the zone, as my coach keeps telling me. and seeing results at a super-human speed... this guy knows his sh*t!).. my body is in the middle.. beginning-ish middle, mind you, of.. change. i think its getting more used to this new lifestyle, its stopped fighting me on everything and.. its goin' with it.
i think its ready to, slowly, work with me to get me where i think i'm capable of being... running wise.
but i don't want to foul it up. and i don't want to get too ambitious and burn myself out like last time. i just want a nice slow progression from omg, she calls that running? i walk faster than her! to.. omg, she calls that running?! i could probably walk faster than her!!
see the subtle difference?!
so.. i'm coming to the pros. which in my case would be... you.
y'all know my running history. you know my tendency to burn out with speed-training. my love for hill torture. my i think i can i think i can.. NO I CANT.. yes i can.. this sucks, i love it i think i can i think i can... mentality, so..
what do you suggest?!
i'm not 100% on the half.
i could settle with just getting into a schedule that has me running a few times a week and take my spinning class this summer, and continue to work on strength, and then really start training in the spring...
(although running without a reason to run would be a new thing for me! wonder how that works...)
but its up for debate.
and because there aint nah-body in my "real" life that would even pretend to enjoy discussing the matter.. i come to my Running Blog Family for help.
gimme your thoughts, if you have any, and maybe with your help i can sort out a plan!!
Comments
Well, I'm no pro, but I rave to anyone who will listen about Furman University's "FIRST" training program for the half marathon. Basically it's 3 days a week of quality running: you do your speed work on Day 1 (yeah, I read you hate it), a tempo run on Day 2, and a long run on Day 3. On the other days you rest or cross train. Using it for my second half marathon, I improved by 25 minutes. The program is 18 weeks long, so while it might not mesh exactly with your plan to find a race in December, you still might find some good ideas in there. You can check it out at http://www.furman.edu/first/2006%20half%20marathon%20training%20program.pdf
Posted by: Cliff | September 7, 2006 10:04 PM
I could offer my two cents on run training, but you'd be giving a lot of change back.
However, may I suggest a location for your half marathon?
Las Vegas.
December 10
http://www.lvmarathon.com/Half_Marathon.284.0.html
The weather should be in the mid-50s and sunny as can be. Perfect running weather and well, hey...it's Vegas.
hak
Posted by: hak | September 7, 2006 11:01 PM
i don't really have any thoughts on the matter. or any other matter for that matter, because i haven't even been on my bike for three weeks. eh.. that rock you're sitting on looks familiar. is that above estes park?
Posted by: good ol' j | September 8, 2006 2:46 AM
12/10 vegas, baby. vegas.
Posted by: Danny | September 8, 2006 4:36 AM
What about that 5k training? You sort of made fun of training for a 5k after all the distance you have run, but that is sort of a low key training schedule that shouldn't burn you out and that will build your base back up for spring training... Sheesh, I am thinking back to the days where I used to just go out and run 5 miles 4-5 times per week without any purpose... In retrospect it was nice, but I also never really pushed myself very much. But everyone has different running personalities...
Plus, with your new CrossFit body, perhaps you will even PR on a 5k, which is always a warm fuzzy feeling. I am also a fan of small 5ks, because then even slow people like me can win medals - I won my age group last year in a 5k with a 29:10. It was a PR at the time for me, but apparently the 20-29 year old fast women weren't out that day :-)
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | September 8, 2006 4:52 AM
Do it for you, baby! You are going to be an awesome tri/du-athlete, and I know you luv your new bike. Pick a plan and show yourself you have the spirit. Races are just icing on the cake.
Posted by: Wes | September 8, 2006 6:06 AM
AJ, I'd think early spring half, with maybe a mid-winter 10-15K if you can find one. Here in Wisconsin there is a nice Valentine's 15K that I use as a mid-winter gauge of training.
That would allow you to focus on three of four running days and two or three cross-training days. Something like:
Monday - Off
Tuesday - x-trn (swim, bike, whatever)
Wednesday - 3-5 mile EZ run
Thursday - x-trn
Friday - 3-5 mile EZ run
Saturday - 5-7 mile quality (intervals, tempo, etc)
Sunday - LSD
Mind you, starting now for a spring race, you can drop those distances down a bit, and then increase them over time. If you have that kind of time, you can spend several months doing 4 week mini-sessions for increasing aerobic base or working on speed. Over last winter, I went from 10 minute miles to 8 minute miles (over marathon distance) with heart rate training. I can send you some details if you'd like.
Most important is to figure out what works for you. Don't go to a longer race unless you feel up to it. Doing 5K and 10K races is a great way to stay in the game without overtraining.
Posted by: Iron Pol | September 8, 2006 6:49 AM
Umm Ummm, the Dallas Half on November 11th. Yes. You must.
Posted by: Susan | September 8, 2006 7:47 AM
Houston Half-Marathon second weekend in January. Free room and board with the greyhound family.
Oh, and you can preview your first tri course down in Galveston. First weekend in April, Nico wants to race and you need to get fitted for some neoprene sister.
Posted by: Greyhound | September 8, 2006 7:50 AM
Sounds like you have lots of races to choose from. I'd go see the Grehound family if it were me.
I have done the FIRST program. The good part is that you only run 3 days a week which leaves time for cross fit and biking and swimming. The bad part is that IT IS HARD! The other option is to do a Hal Higdon plan. I like Hal's training programs. Also, maybe you could find a running partner. Having a partner is fun even if you both wear iPods. The best part about having a partner is that you have to really, really want to puss out not to show up because by not showing up you will let your partner down and that's a good thing.
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom | September 8, 2006 10:26 AM
Tucson Half Marathon: www.tucsonmarathon.com Dec 10th, same day as Vegas. VERY half-marathon friendly (i.e. last year there were more half'ers than there were full'ers), small town race and all downhill. And I can provide room & board (I know--you've never heard of me before so that isn't exactly gonna make you want to sign up!).
PF Chang's Rock n Roll Half-- http://www.rnraz.com/home.html Jan 14, 07 in Phoenix. Can't beat the weather.
And I would second the Hal Higdon plan...look at one of the "beginner" plans that offers lower mileage and a gradual increase and I don't even think you need to do any speedwork. I'm following his beginner marathon plan now and it has been very reasonable.
Posted by: Run Momma Run | September 8, 2006 11:02 AM
Looks like this was alady recommened but a few friends and I are planning on doing the Las Vegas Half Marathon in December. I am not sure if there is a training program for runnning a half marathon with a hang over?
Posted by: Al Durham | September 8, 2006 11:15 AM
I'm with Danielle and Iron Pol. Think about a 10K for the fall. This will let you get faster, maybe train a bit harder without burning out. I think you can break an hour...
I don't run all summer because I'm focused on the bike. My winter runs are all just 20-60 minutes, mostly on dirt, and occasionally on a track. You can easily mix 5k and 5 mile races into this kind of schedule. 2-4 runs a week usually has me running a decent time at the 5 milers on Thanksgiving. 10k's are getting harder to find, but by the spring that should be fairly easy too, and if things are going well for you by mid winter, you'll still have plenty of time to ramp up the mileage (hopefully without losing speed) for the 10 milers or half-marathons in the spring. And keep riding that bike...
Posted by: solobreak | September 9, 2006 5:07 AM
I like the Turkey day Houston progesssion. Email me and I can give you a plan.
Posted by: Joe B | September 9, 2006 1:13 PM
i almost threw up when you said half ironman...try not to scare me that way! so..here's what I think, and I think Iron Pol said it first: Look for a december 10K. that's a nice distance, and you can PR. It's a bit easier in my mind than a 5k, bcs in a 5k there is no wiggle room, and i'm afraid you'd be disappointed in your time. In a 10k you can warm up and then do negative splits. I also think you should do a few other races before you go for a half-marathon.
So to recap:
10K in december
10 miler or 20k sometime after that
half-marathon in the spring
boorah!
Posted by: jeanne | September 10, 2006 7:32 AM
No advise or suggestions. I just wanted to say that I am very happy to hear that you are thinking about training again. I miss reading your running reports. They were always so full of triump and inspiration! The best of luck on whatever you decide to take on. I know you'll do great!!
Posted by: runnergirl | September 10, 2006 10:17 PM
GOOD LUCK ON WHATEVER YOU DECIDE BUT ST LOUIS HAS A NICE HALF MARATHON ON APRIL 15TH PLUS THE ST LOUIS TRACK CLUB HAS ONE ALSO AT THE END OF MARCH I THINK. KEN
Posted by: KEN | September 12, 2006 6:55 PM
Hey...I think my full marathon days might be over after Chicago. I've already got my sights set on a few half marys next year though. Pick a race and you'll be money. Sooooo money.
Posted by: RunningJayhawk | September 13, 2006 2:46 PM