Why does it matter?
I'd like to address a comment I received on my last post, in regard to goal-setting. Someone asked, "why does it matter if you win age group awards? Especially at ultras, it's more about participation and personal challenge than actually racing somebody." I really thought a lot about this comment - it helped me think about my intentions behind running.
To me, placing in my age group is not about racing anyone. It seems to me to be as arbitrary and as artificial a goal as completing a random distance (50k) in a random time (8 hours). Like Rob's recent post, why stop at 26.2? 50k? 50 miles? 100 miles? Why finish within 8 hours? 12 hours? In the top three of my age group? One of the things I enjoyed most about Pemberton was the game of it - can I, in my current state of fitness, actually train in only four months to complete an ultra within the cutoff time? I liken the idea of placing within my age group to the same thing. If I look at the times of the women in my age group for the previous years on a race, and set my goal to see if I (who finished last in my first ultra) can actually make those times, I will have a huge, fun driver to meet my goals. It doesn't take anything away from participation or support in the race. The very reason I chose ultras as an expression of my phsyicality was precisely for the support - I know that everyone cheers just as hard for the last person in as they do for the first. Andrew Holton, the winner of the 2006 Pemberton 50k, didn't leave the race staging area until I did! My goals of placing in my age group have nothing to do with racing, and everything to do with participation and personal challenge - it's just another arbitrary number to see if I can reach. Hope that clarifies!
Thanks to everyone for reminding me that the most important thing in regard to running is having fun! Also thanks for the links and offers of help.
It's so hard for me to step back and be patient. I was researching training plans this weekend, and realized that I need to recover in the next two weeks, and then plan smart. I don't want to plan smart! I want to run 50 miles a week starting next week! (Okay, that's an exaggeration, but you get the point.) I also discovered that there are five phases to training: Base Building, Strength Building, Speed Building, Taper/Race And Recovery. In preparation for Pemberton, I was only able to complete Base Building. So my goal this time around is to work my way through each phase in the intended amount of time - which means I need to start with the Recovery part from Pemberton!
I've been wanting to add yoga to the mix, so I've decided that this Recovery period will introduce yoga two times a week for the next two weeks, with one 7.75 weekend run each week. During this time, I will plot out each of the upcoming phases of training for the next few months. I'm chomping at the bit (as usual), but I'm also so excited! (That's the other good thing about ultras - they teach me patience!)
Comments
DATE: 1:28 PM, February 13, 2006
Yoga is a great idea. I don't do it nearly often enough, but whenever I get around to it there's always this great sense of release, of working with my body instead of against it. Plus, apparently the more flexible you are, the more efficient (and less injury-prone) your running will become.
Posted by: Liv | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 4:00 PM, February 13, 2006
I'm with you Angie on your wanting to run "50 miles a week starting next week." I can sense the desire to get going on planning for #2. You did incredibly well with ultra #1 and especially considering, like you pointed out, that you only got some base building work done beforehand. Excellent response to the question of wanting to win age group awards. I was questioning that same thing when I read it and you answered quite eloquently.
Posted by: robtherunner | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 4:13 PM, February 13, 2006
Cute new layout!I think it's a great idea to do yoga as part of your training. I was thinking of starting to do yoga too. You'll have to update us on how it goes and if you see an improvement in your running.
Posted by: Christine | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 5:54 PM, February 13, 2006
I almost left your blogpage when I saw a new layout - I thought I came elsewhere:) Very cute!As for AG and such - I think in the same manner. Whether or not I place depends on who else will come to the race, but if you set a goal on a certain time, it helps to drive. Call it anything you want, but no matter how much I love simply running, I need a goal, anything at all, to get my ass out the door at 5 am and actually work. Fun runs are included in this too!Patience is a big problem for many type A personalities. I am learning.Great job, again, on 4 months of training!!
Posted by: olga | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 10:04 AM, February 14, 2006
Recovery is important. But the mind keeps spinning...jumping ahead to the next phase. Honor your body and let it heal. Take the time you aren't spending running to put together your plan. I find that if I don't have a goal...regardless of how arbitrary it is...I don't push myself as much as I should. Loving the new look by the way. :)
Posted by: Kim | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 11:10 AM, February 14, 2006
I like the new layout and header - Susan is the Blog Header Queen! :)Great posts, I too am struggling or more like trying to figure out a training program on a much smaller scale(improving 1/2 marathon time) for the next one on my calendar. And my goals changes just about after every race, sometimes it's about placing in my age group, setting a pr, completing the distance, etc and that's what adds that extra drive to train and make it exciting.
Posted by: psbowe | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 12:22 PM, February 14, 2006
You are welcome Angie . . . blogger doesn't do three columns. I wish it did. You can step away from the darkside and switch to MT.
Posted by: Susan | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 1:51 PM, February 14, 2006
You could also switch to wordpress - easy to switch templates, etc.
Posted by: Jank | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 3:12 PM, February 14, 2006
I'm still working on the patience thing! Love the new header. Great job Susan!
Posted by: Ben aka "Good Ben" | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 6:24 PM, February 14, 2006
Great new header!! Yoga will help you so much, I love it!! Otherwise I'm a terrible stretcher. During my last M I quit doing a lot of my yoga and other strength training, next time I'm going to find a way to keep it all in.
Posted by: Rae | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 12:12 PM, February 15, 2006
I like your header also. I see what you're saying on the age group thing, but I'm still not with you...it can become a source of frustration if it doesn't work out, through no fault of your own.I'll keep reading you, though.
Posted by: Donald | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 1:54 PM, February 15, 2006
Susan ROCKS!
Posted by: Flatman | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM