It's remarkable how many running sites there are on the internet. I guess that's the thing with the internet, any idiot with a modem can publish their thoughts. Of course, when you have a message board on a website, or a comment section, it invites even more amateur thoughts. I'm not looking down on that of course, since I am both an amateur runner and an amateur thinker. But, take a gander over at the message board section of Let's Run and you are bound to find some entertaining topics. And in each topic you can find some keyboard commando talking out of his ass. God bless America.
But one thread caught my attention over the weekend. Someone asked, how do you motivate yourself to get out for long runs? He talked about how he just can't get himself set for runs of an hour or more. Some people talked scenery. Some talked running partners. One guy simply said, "I can't help you, it's all about your own drive, you either have it or you don't" And well it may have come across as a bit blunt or harsh he's right.
For me, this fall the goal has been to up my mileage. Going into Philly my mileage was barely at 20 a week, concentrated on shorter speed work. I still have some short runs in my schedule, but in October I have been up at 30 miles a week. This is including at least one 10 miler a week.
Today was the day of my scheduled 10 miler. Going out, I felt awful. Sometimes this happens. A four miler yesterday after my refereeing was pretty awful. My legs felt heavy the whole time. My lungs weren't there. I found myself even 2 miles into that run wondering, "how the hell am i gonna run 10 tomorrow?" And today two miles in again I wasn't feeling good.
It woulda been easier to decide that it was a day for a six miler instead. And the thought crossed my mind, but looking at my schedule for the rest of the week, which includes some travel, it hit me that this would be the only chance for a long run. As it came to my 3, 6, and 8 mile splits it was looking as if I was on pace for my best tenner of the month. So that provided ample motivation, and sure enough, I finished 62 seconds quicker than my best tenner this month.
That said, there is always a next step. And for me as I attempt to up mileage again in November it comes to adjusting my runs when I am feeling good. Those points where a 6 miler feels easy, turn it to a tenner. When the tenner feels easy, make it a twelver. In the middle of the run, just making that decision.
And really, it's again it's not something that I'll be able to read about or get motivation from others. Sure it'll put of dinner longer, or a beer. It sure as hell will lead to more aches and pains. But you either have it in ya to make those decisions or ya don't. And it's silly to discount the mental part of this. And if the mental part is as large as I think it is, that belief and that desire to find those extra gears thats gonna have to be the key.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The "problem" of pacemakers or rabbits
Two or three months back in Runners World there was an interesting article on recreational marathon pacemakers. I don't believe these cats are quite "elites" but they are hired by several marathons to lead pace groups. Groups that want to break 4 hours in a marathon, or go under 3:45. This sort of thing.
The article was excellent. The author spoke of a time when he was leading a pace group but fell short of his goal and his guilt dealing with that. At the time of writing this article he was leading a group through the Philadelphia Marathon, and he had one cohort with him to lead the group. This time he and his partner made the finish and nearly everyone in his group made it as well in there time. A job well done.
I'll be honest, part of me looks down on these sort of groups as a way to reach a goal. But,in Philadelphia when I was doing my last half, around 8 miles when I realized I went out far too fast my mind drifted back to this article. I thought how it would have been nice to have been part of a pace group to insure that I didn't go out to fast, and that perhaps a sub 1:40 would have been much easier.
Granted, I never ran track in high school or college. I sure as hell haven't run professionally. It's a sport I picked up for myself just in the past year. But, I also watch as many races as I can. And when I watch these college meets, pro meets, or even World Record attempts, it's not uncommon to see a pacemaker. For a 1500, you'll see someone charged with taking them through 800 at a set time. In a marathon you sometimes have a rabbit leading them through 10 miles or so.
This past weekend in Chicago, there was a rabbit. One of the elite runners kept pushing the rabbit to go harder, and the rabbit obliged for a little bit. But eventually, even before mile 10, a group of elites left him behind. I read an interview with the always posi Abdi Abdirahman at Runners World this week where he mentioned that NYC in November will not have a rabbit. He said that was good. That it adds excitement to the race, I tend to agree.
Back to Philly. I kept going on my own, and I struggled towards the finish line. My last 5k was awful. Something I could have remedied by running a smarter pace at the beginning. I still set a PR by 1:55, but didn't reach my high end goal. Still, by setting that PR I found a sense of satisfaction in myself, and in doing it on my own.
It's difficult and a bit arrogant to say my satisfaction of doing that on my own is greater, or more deserved than that of someone who hit say 1:40 a minute and change ahead of me in a pace group. At the end of the day, that person ran a better race than me pace aided or not. They were quicker, and props to them. That said, to me, someone who has never been on a XC team, or training team (outside of the legendary The Kip Winger Running Team) running is an individual sport, and a test against what an individual can do.
I understand the limits of the human body. That there may be no reason to think an elite can run a 330 mile, and maybe a rabbit makes sense in a track meet for a mile to hit a certain goal. I don't think that sort of mindset should apply to the recreational runner.
Yes, it may be absurd for me to think a 1:25 half is possible given my training. But if I go into a race thinking the absolute best I can do for a half is 1:40, I've already capped my potential and lost half the battle. On the starting line, I just don't see a reason to have goals set in that way. It's cheesy, it's a hallmark card. But the sky is the damn limit. If I don't believe that through my training my body is capable of doing something greater than it's ever done before, that I can shatter even my own expectations, why am I on the starting line in the first place? And better yet what the hell have I been training for?
The article was excellent. The author spoke of a time when he was leading a pace group but fell short of his goal and his guilt dealing with that. At the time of writing this article he was leading a group through the Philadelphia Marathon, and he had one cohort with him to lead the group. This time he and his partner made the finish and nearly everyone in his group made it as well in there time. A job well done.
I'll be honest, part of me looks down on these sort of groups as a way to reach a goal. But,in Philadelphia when I was doing my last half, around 8 miles when I realized I went out far too fast my mind drifted back to this article. I thought how it would have been nice to have been part of a pace group to insure that I didn't go out to fast, and that perhaps a sub 1:40 would have been much easier.
Granted, I never ran track in high school or college. I sure as hell haven't run professionally. It's a sport I picked up for myself just in the past year. But, I also watch as many races as I can. And when I watch these college meets, pro meets, or even World Record attempts, it's not uncommon to see a pacemaker. For a 1500, you'll see someone charged with taking them through 800 at a set time. In a marathon you sometimes have a rabbit leading them through 10 miles or so.
This past weekend in Chicago, there was a rabbit. One of the elite runners kept pushing the rabbit to go harder, and the rabbit obliged for a little bit. But eventually, even before mile 10, a group of elites left him behind. I read an interview with the always posi Abdi Abdirahman at Runners World this week where he mentioned that NYC in November will not have a rabbit. He said that was good. That it adds excitement to the race, I tend to agree.
Back to Philly. I kept going on my own, and I struggled towards the finish line. My last 5k was awful. Something I could have remedied by running a smarter pace at the beginning. I still set a PR by 1:55, but didn't reach my high end goal. Still, by setting that PR I found a sense of satisfaction in myself, and in doing it on my own.
It's difficult and a bit arrogant to say my satisfaction of doing that on my own is greater, or more deserved than that of someone who hit say 1:40 a minute and change ahead of me in a pace group. At the end of the day, that person ran a better race than me pace aided or not. They were quicker, and props to them. That said, to me, someone who has never been on a XC team, or training team (outside of the legendary The Kip Winger Running Team) running is an individual sport, and a test against what an individual can do.
I understand the limits of the human body. That there may be no reason to think an elite can run a 330 mile, and maybe a rabbit makes sense in a track meet for a mile to hit a certain goal. I don't think that sort of mindset should apply to the recreational runner.
Yes, it may be absurd for me to think a 1:25 half is possible given my training. But if I go into a race thinking the absolute best I can do for a half is 1:40, I've already capped my potential and lost half the battle. On the starting line, I just don't see a reason to have goals set in that way. It's cheesy, it's a hallmark card. But the sky is the damn limit. If I don't believe that through my training my body is capable of doing something greater than it's ever done before, that I can shatter even my own expectations, why am I on the starting line in the first place? And better yet what the hell have I been training for?
Hometown Perks
I am largely indifferent about living in Norwalk, CT. Indianapolis is still home to me. I love that town, and miss it pretty much daily. That said there are plenty of perks out here in Indy. We have a decent race scene. We aren't too far from NYC where the New York Road Runners always have some hot shit going on. We have a great summer cross country series
But really, the A#1 perk of living in Norwalk has to be the opportunity to end a training run by running onto the beach at sunset on a nice fall night. I couldn't have asked for a better TGIF gift than that yesterday evening. What's even nicer is breaking 7 minute splits on that six mile run. Loving life.
But really, the A#1 perk of living in Norwalk has to be the opportunity to end a training run by running onto the beach at sunset on a nice fall night. I couldn't have asked for a better TGIF gift than that yesterday evening. What's even nicer is breaking 7 minute splits on that six mile run. Loving life.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tough Decision
So what do i do...
Go to NYC and watch the NYC marathon on November 2nd and cheer like hell for Abdi and one of the greatest elite fields in the NYC Marathon history.
OR
Run the Bridge
Do this 10k. Across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Camden to Philly and back. That mother fucker is just one big hill. But once you apex it on the way back the final whatever distance is a downhill sprint.
It's a tough call. Should I skip the bridge run, I likely don't have a race until Thanksgiving, and am looking at likely only 2 or 3 races before my Carlsbad half in January. But, the NYC Marathon only comes once a year.
Go to NYC and watch the NYC marathon on November 2nd and cheer like hell for Abdi and one of the greatest elite fields in the NYC Marathon history.
OR
Run the Bridge
Do this 10k. Across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Camden to Philly and back. That mother fucker is just one big hill. But once you apex it on the way back the final whatever distance is a downhill sprint.
It's a tough call. Should I skip the bridge run, I likely don't have a race until Thanksgiving, and am looking at likely only 2 or 3 races before my Carlsbad half in January. But, the NYC Marathon only comes once a year.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saucony's We Know ...
Saucony has been my running shoe company of choice over the past 6 months or so. Between my Hurricane's and my Paramounts, I feel I have a good few sets. I view their website weekly to see any new products and sometimes salivate over the Grid Sinisters, the Fasttwitch, and the Shay XC. I have enjoyed their sorta small company image against the running world's more heavy hitters like Nike, New Balance, and even Asics, or Brooks. But, I also have secretly wished that they would have a damn cool ad campaign at some point. I mean, I am a child of the media age. I love my MTV, Gossip Girl, and what have ya. So I like cool ads as well. Sue me.
New Balance has their Love/Hate campaign, which is utterly brilliant.
Nike has done more for Track & Field than any company in the sport in this country and always has some hot shit ad campaign.
Brooks "Run Happy" stuff is a bit to hippy for me, but they are trying.
Well now Saucony has a damn good ad campaign finally and they are letting the people in on it as well. Check it out. We Know _________ because we run. It's the shit, told ya. And you can submit entries to have your own idea be an ad.
I love it.
New Balance has their Love/Hate campaign, which is utterly brilliant.
Nike has done more for Track & Field than any company in the sport in this country and always has some hot shit ad campaign.
Brooks "Run Happy" stuff is a bit to hippy for me, but they are trying.
Well now Saucony has a damn good ad campaign finally and they are letting the people in on it as well. Check it out. We Know _________ because we run. It's the shit, told ya. And you can submit entries to have your own idea be an ad.
I love it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why have two magazines?
I've talked about this a little bit with Spitz out in Indy, but I'll throw it on here as well. I am a bit disappointed with the current month's issue's of Runner's World and Running Times for a few different reasons. Several months ago, the same publishing company, Rodale, who owns and operates Runner's World purchased the operating rights to Running Times. Fairplay. No real worries there. As is the case with many lifestyle magazines, many themes and articles are repeated from year to year. In running and health lifestyle mags there are a few standby's....
12 Weeks to a new 5k PR!!!
Healthy foods for recovery!!!
Beat the winter blues!!!
and the ever popular, New Year, New YOU!!!!
But here, as we work our way out of the heat of summertime and into some confidence boosting, long run begging fall weather we have identical themes around the last two issues of these two running mags. And what are they, "The Green Issue!"
Now, I am not an anti-enviromentalist by any means. In fact my faith leads me to believe that one of our duties is to be proper stewards of the earth. This in fact has in part led to my vegetarian diet. But, it's hard to miss the irony of a publisher sending out two magazines at 80-90 pages each (many of which, lets face it are not recycled) on the importance of running green.
It's not that I am against this line of thinking at all. It is in fact actually interesting to read about runners footprint on the enviroment. And it is, in fact interesting to read about the steps that many shoe companies are taking to become more green including recycled material in their shoes, and more biodegrable soles, even if they miss some of the most obvious steps (recycled cardboard boxes, please. thanks!). It's just that I am unsure of how much we can write about it. Especially over the course of two magazines. Couldn't it be contained in one? At the end of the day, it's simplistic, I know, but despite Brooks attempts to make a more green shoe, unless it fits better or takes time of my 10k more than my less green Saucony's I'm unlikely to but it just to save a year or two's space in a landfill.
It's nitpicking. Yes, I know. I very much understand. Still, couldn't one magazine maybe use some of those pages to preview the College XC season? Maybe a summary of some of the best College XC courses then serves into a good article on trail running.
Thing is I buy both the magazines anyway. I have a subscription to Running Times, and I purchase Runners World on the newstand month. And even though I told myself I wouldn't this time, due to the overlap of material I did anyway. I love both of your magazines. But please, next month a little more variety?
12 Weeks to a new 5k PR!!!
Healthy foods for recovery!!!
Beat the winter blues!!!
and the ever popular, New Year, New YOU!!!!
But here, as we work our way out of the heat of summertime and into some confidence boosting, long run begging fall weather we have identical themes around the last two issues of these two running mags. And what are they, "The Green Issue!"
Now, I am not an anti-enviromentalist by any means. In fact my faith leads me to believe that one of our duties is to be proper stewards of the earth. This in fact has in part led to my vegetarian diet. But, it's hard to miss the irony of a publisher sending out two magazines at 80-90 pages each (many of which, lets face it are not recycled) on the importance of running green.
It's not that I am against this line of thinking at all. It is in fact actually interesting to read about runners footprint on the enviroment. And it is, in fact interesting to read about the steps that many shoe companies are taking to become more green including recycled material in their shoes, and more biodegrable soles, even if they miss some of the most obvious steps (recycled cardboard boxes, please. thanks!). It's just that I am unsure of how much we can write about it. Especially over the course of two magazines. Couldn't it be contained in one? At the end of the day, it's simplistic, I know, but despite Brooks attempts to make a more green shoe, unless it fits better or takes time of my 10k more than my less green Saucony's I'm unlikely to but it just to save a year or two's space in a landfill.
It's nitpicking. Yes, I know. I very much understand. Still, couldn't one magazine maybe use some of those pages to preview the College XC season? Maybe a summary of some of the best College XC courses then serves into a good article on trail running.
Thing is I buy both the magazines anyway. I have a subscription to Running Times, and I purchase Runners World on the newstand month. And even though I told myself I wouldn't this time, due to the overlap of material I did anyway. I love both of your magazines. But please, next month a little more variety?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Cars
So I went out for a run after work today. Hadn't yet decided exactly how far I was gonna run. Round mile 3 I was deciding whether to push for a quick four, or go for another loop and do an 8er. I'm running cross an intersection, when a car decides to turn left in and totally clip me.
I'm watching this as I am running thinking, "Holy shit, this guy doesn't see me, he's gonna hit me." He's looking the complete opposite direction through his sunglasses when his side view mirror passanger side hits my left elbow, and i have the edge of my left foot run over . The mirror swings in. I don't know if its a luxury car and they are meant to do that or its the force of him turning right into me. I stop for a second looking down at myself making sure i am okay. My elbow is throbbing and bleeding pretty nicely. My foot doesn't hurt too bad though. He's 25 yards down the street when I shout out "Come on man!" or something equally dumb. He screams back, "I didn't see you!" I scream back something to the effect of "JC, fuckin look man whats wrong with you." (I need to go to confession) I start running after him to try to get a lisence plate number or his name or something, and he drives off. Unreal.
I'm seriously still at the "what the fuck just happened?" point. I don't think I've ever been that angry in my life, save the time I found out my last girlfriend cheated on me. I drove around for 15-20 minutes up and down those streets trying to find that car, but to no avail.
Granted, it was gettin darker. Still, it's a situation where there was no excuse to not see me. And herein lies the problem with running in Norwalk CT. It's all roadrunning. There are no back trails, no bike or towpaths, just roads. Thats fine, and at times it's exciting. But going into a winter season, when I will be running in darkness quite often, while I am looking to be between 30-35 miles a week while training for Carlsbad, it's not ideal.
I'm watching this as I am running thinking, "Holy shit, this guy doesn't see me, he's gonna hit me." He's looking the complete opposite direction through his sunglasses when his side view mirror passanger side hits my left elbow, and i have the edge of my left foot run over . The mirror swings in. I don't know if its a luxury car and they are meant to do that or its the force of him turning right into me. I stop for a second looking down at myself making sure i am okay. My elbow is throbbing and bleeding pretty nicely. My foot doesn't hurt too bad though. He's 25 yards down the street when I shout out "Come on man!" or something equally dumb. He screams back, "I didn't see you!" I scream back something to the effect of "JC, fuckin look man whats wrong with you." (I need to go to confession) I start running after him to try to get a lisence plate number or his name or something, and he drives off. Unreal.
I'm seriously still at the "what the fuck just happened?" point. I don't think I've ever been that angry in my life, save the time I found out my last girlfriend cheated on me. I drove around for 15-20 minutes up and down those streets trying to find that car, but to no avail.
Granted, it was gettin darker. Still, it's a situation where there was no excuse to not see me. And herein lies the problem with running in Norwalk CT. It's all roadrunning. There are no back trails, no bike or towpaths, just roads. Thats fine, and at times it's exciting. But going into a winter season, when I will be running in darkness quite often, while I am looking to be between 30-35 miles a week while training for Carlsbad, it's not ideal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
