18 miles of speed work* on the mill was a new, unique type of misery, and I've been sore for the past 5 days. It got so bad by mile 17 that I spent the last mile staring at some random red button on the wall in my garage (perhaps it opens a portal into a universe of sloth), counting off the alphabet--one letter for every four steps. I would only let myself look at the odometer after a full alphabet cycle. It took me 10 alphabets to do the last mile. I'm now traumatized for life by the letter A, which stands for "Another friggin tenth of a mile."
The general consensus among my posse of runners was that I needed a weekend reprieve from the 20 milers. I think my skeleton is crumbling like the ghosts at the end of Beetlejuice. After I sent a prosaic email that featured the words "suck fest" and "hell" to Over Pro Nate, he told me to scale way back this weekend, so I'm only doing 8 alphabet-free miles this morning.
As happy as I was to get the red light from Nate, it is actually really hard for me to break from the plan. I have to remind myself that I did my long run on Wednesday, and it was 18 miles. Not only that, the goal is to qualify, not run six 20 milers. Last week was abysmal and exhausting, and I was so heartened to read your comments on Thursday. You're like my own little virtual pace team. When my own family doesn't come to Philly for the race, I know I'll have you all in my teeny pockets, crammed in there with my Cliff shots and Gel right above my bum. Comfy?
Here's hoping this week, I get back on track.
*4 x 4 miles at marathon pace (8:20), half-mile rest intervals at 8:41, half-mile warmup = 18 miles
Sunday, October 26, 2008
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14 comments:
That workout sounds brutal. And on the treadmill? Brutaler!
I think they use your training schedule to torture people at Gitmo. Screw water boarding.
Glad you've scaled back this week. Maintaining some semblance of sanity is always a good thing, I think.
I still cannot fathom how you did 18 miles on a tready. And the rest interval! It's only 20s slower! That's not rest! My rest interval is about 15 min/mi :)
Way to listen to yourself/what you need.. enjoy that 8!
Phew! No matter how hard the treadmill gets, do not press the "random red button" on the wall in the garage." Ever. I cannot stress this enough.
Gald you're getting some recovery. That's when you get stronger- when you rest after extending yourself... :)
GAH i cannot imagine 18 miles on the treadmill... my worst nightmare.
so glad you are taking an easier week. sometimes it is exactly what is needed to recharge the marathon training batteries. you are working SOOO hard and it is definitely going to pay off.
K~ stay healthy - that's what matters! thanks for your support too. I'm going to continue with half marathons over the winter and maybe TRY another 26.2 next fall. I'll let you know - but really thanks - I needed the support, I was really down. :) ~Jen
yikes, you have some kind of jedi strength to do that treadmill run. a sanity break sounds like a good idea!
I'm comfy.
And, don't think twice about needing to do what you have to do. You are incredible. Keep on doing the best for yourself. And then, keep on going.
I LOVE Xenia's comment! Too funny. Kristina, you could run Philly this weekend & qualify easily based on your training and race times. I just mentally committed to do Chicago in '09, so if you do a fall 2009 marathon I can join you on some training runs...you know, instead of sending my husband as proxy!
If you are discerning any of my comments as uplifting, I must be shrouding the sarcasm to well.
Glad to hear Nate took my, your, our advice.
I'm glad you got to cut one short. I did the same thing this weekend and my coach didn't care at all. Of course my "coach" is a piece of paper with a generic running plan printed on it. I like it that way. He's much harder to disappoint and easier to say no to.
After such a hardcore workout on a treadmill, you definitely deserve the break. Hope you have a good 8!
thats a long way to go on a treadmill but I love the ABC.. idea.. I do a lot of long runs at the track which a lot of people say they could never do...
Just found your blog.. look forward to reading more.
cheers.
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