Recovering slowly
Yesterday my legs were surprisingly sore for having run only a 10K race, I guess the faster pace (for me) took more out of me than I reckoned with. Last night I went for a walk and spent some time stretching and this morning my legs feel much better.
I was thinking this morning as I was going to work that it seems like I have needed more time to recover from my last marathon (March 11) than from previous marathons. This has me wondering if my plan for a marathon a month is maybe too ambitious for my fitness level this year. When I compare my training this year to last years I tend to believe I was in better shape this time last year. Of course my two races that I have completed so far this year have proved otherwise. Perhaps I am just not as mentally fit this year due to having more life challenges on the agenda. Or maybe my wife is right, she says I am much more impatient lately – this has probably spilled over to my running too...I guess I need to try to relax and just take one step at a time.
Comments
Never underestimate the effects that real-life pressures have on your running performance.
Go easy on yourself - and on your good lady wife.
Posted by: Thomas | April 3, 2007 11:19 AM
Sometimes you have to factor life events into your training and recovery. They can affect you physically and emotionally more than you realize. Walking and stretching is always good.
Posted by: Ginger Breadman | April 3, 2007 3:10 PM
Jack,
I think you need to ask yourself what your goal is with one marathon a month. Is it to build endurance? To experience a lot of races? Were you going to focus on speed or improving speed? Whether one a month is too many really depends on what the focus is.
I cast all concerns about speed aside when I signed up for my list of spring marathons and the 50K. My focus is fun, enjoying the race and the courses and hanging out with friends. I expect to be tired and not fully recovered as I move down the list. So, ask yourself - what is the focus?
Posted by: backofpack58@yahoo.com | April 3, 2007 4:30 PM
Jack,
You ran the 10K hard so you should expect to be sore. I really like to jump in an ice bath after a race to allow my legs to recover. It only hurts when you get in but at least you don't suffer with sore legs for a week. And as backofpack says... have fun out there!
Posted by: Eric | April 3, 2007 4:58 PM
Congrats on the 10k course PR. I have been quite impatient lately as well so I know where you're coming from. Life sure can get the best of us. Let's both try to relax a bit. Take it easy.
Posted by: Rob | April 4, 2007 2:58 AM