Sunday, January 23, 2011

49 - can you live with it?

 I was on my way to a 5 mile race when the sun came up, 
and I was running when the sun set this evening....

 "Oh What A Beautiful Day To Run!"
 
Sat. was like a marathon.  I went to a 5 mile race, raced it hard, and then Sat. evening, I ran 14 miles on rolling hills.  Sat. evening I was adding up my miles for the week and I come up with 49 miles.  In my world, most of the time, that just doesn't work for me.  So today, I headed out for a 1+ mile walk and yes, I ran a mile to make it an even 50 miles for the week.  I feel better!  Can you end a week with 49 miles?

Back to Sat.  I raced a 5 miles race.   Race temp. would be around 27 degrees, so that means a great race day for me.  It's rough to get warmed up, but after the first 1-2 miles, this is when I am able to run my absolute best.  I can breathe better, and my legs feel totally different.  As I started my warm up, right from the start, I knew it would be a great day for racing.  I have been running and racing since....well a LONG time, but this was only my 2nd, 5 mile race.  My first 5 mile race was last Aug., 2010.    You may recall, this was a 5 mile race in South MS, and yes, I said Aug.  So my pace for the race in Aug. was just under my marathon pace.  Seriously!  (42:58 - 8:38 pace)  The name of the race on Sat.  was Oh, What A Beautiful Day to Run, and it was just that.  I finished with a time of 38:57 - 7:45 pace.    After the race, I rushed off to a yoga class.  Lunch, errands, and home around 2:00 pm.  Here's the crazy thing.  I do NOT recommend this, but I decided I would run my long run Sat. evening, after the race.  I wanted to do this, to run with tired legs, and possibly simulate miles 18-26 of a marathon.  Obviously, in doing this after racing,  I was at risk of injury, so I do not recommend it, but I went into it accepting the risk.   I needed to be out the door by 3:00 pm so I could finish before dark.  So without any rest, I headed back out the door.  I was tired, and it was hard from the start.  The plan was to run it around 10:00 pace.  The weird thing was, while it was hard, I had to keep slowing my pace.  I would look at the Garmin, and be at 9:30 pace, slow down.  I didn't want to run anything faster than 10, after racing.  The other part of me wanted to hurry and finish, so it was a constant battle.  Originally, I had planned to do 16, but while running, I found that 14 would be enough, also 14 miles would give me 21.5 for the day, which was a jump (another risky move)  in my training.   The gels kept me going, and I ended up finishing the 14 @ 10:14 pace.  As I was struggling to make it home, the last 2 miles (like always) were tough.  But then my running buddies, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Soulja Boy helped me through.   With one mile left, Diddy with Skylar Grey - Coming Home was up next on my Ipod.  AAWWWEESOME!
Seriously, it was amazing how "the pep in my step" picked up as Diddy starts his first part of the song....

Back where I belong, yeah I never felt so strong
(I’m back baby)
I feel like there’s nothing that I can’t try
And if you with me put your hands high
(put your hands high)
If you ever lost a light before, this ones for you
And you, the dreams are for you
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the World I’m coming home
And just like that, excitement returned to my running.  I made it home.  I took and ice bath, had some green tea, and had, well let's just say, I had PLENTY of recovery calories.  eeek!  I was HUNGRY with a capital H!  


2 miles from home - new pavement and Diddy on the Ipod - I CAN DO IT!
Love me some new pavement to run on!
 Me, with my friend Dawn before the race.
Sunday walk/run to get my 50

Another Beautiful Day to Run!

This week:
Monday - 7 miles, weights, stretch
Tues. - 5.5 miles with Kelly P., yoga @ Kelly S., and planks
Wed. - 3 miles am, 4.5 miles pm - 2 mile w/u, 4 X Bent Creek hill with Audrey - (run cut short because Audrey wasn't feeling good) we walked a mile back to the car.
Thur. - 5 miles easy 10 X 24 second sprints
Fri. - 2.5 miles, .5 mile walk
Sat. - 7.5 miles am with 5 mile race, 14 miles pm
Sun - 1+ mile walk and 1 mile run
Totals - run - 50 miles, 2 yoga classes, planks, around 2 miles walking

Several times recently, I have said, "I don't recommend this!",  about my training.  For many years, I have been considered by some, to be a "smart runner."  It seems since running Boston, and getting that "out of my system" I am willing to "risk injury",  to "push the envelope."   In the MANY years of "running for Boston", I was very cautious, trying to be sure to avoid injury, and keep moving forward.  Now it seems that I want to "push the limits" to see what happens.  I do this fully KNOWING and ACCEPTING the risk.   I wanted to note this on my blog to say, I know many of the things I'm doing are NOT smart, but at this time, this is what I want to do with my training.

So these days, do not read this blog to see how to train smart. 
Read it to see what NOT to do in training. (not smart)
....Tired of running smart, and wanting to push the envelope!  Ha Ha

19 comments:

Christine said...

I'm very impressed you got out there for another 14 miles, even though you just finished a race!! You rock!

Unknown said...

Tee, hee. Great post. I just read another blog where the author was saying that if you're injured, it shows you're pushing it. There will be injuries. There will be aches and pains. IT won't be easy. You're going for it. No pain, no gain. Thanks for the prefacing though, not everyone can take on your schedule and training and love it, while staying healthy. You go , girl! You do inspire me!

Running and living said...

Yup, I am the same way. I like to push my limit, because, if I don't, how would I know what my limits are and whether I am achieving my full potential?

Tricia said...

Great week! and yeah, you totally had to round it out to 50

Chris K said...

Ginny, where you been? I can totally live with 49 miles. I get the whole pushing the limit thing. I've been injured too many times though for that to work for me. The weird thing about injuries is that they sneak up really fast. Like, really fast. Anyway, everyone is different and do what feels right.

Jennifer said...

You killed it girl! Before today I would have thought you were crazy... but as you know things can quickly change your point of view (like running the wrong trail) Rest up! You deserve it.

Jenn said...

Oh-I laughed at that first paragraph!! No, finishing a week at 49 miles is just not right:)

Great job on the race and THEN doing your long run!!!! Too funny that we have the same running buddies! I did all of my 800's last week to "Coming Home"

Hmmmm-I don't see any snow in those pics.....Yet another reminder of what I passed up to live here! I'm working on my attitude.....

Love the last paragraph. Ha ha! Good luck!

Amanda@runninghood said...

You go girl...only you know your body and what your limits are. smart or not, you're the driver and sometimes the not so smart plans are what get you where you want to go. Well done on your 5 mile race!

Donna said...

Okay, my awe in you only increases with each passing day!

Terri said...

Ginny that is funny how you just had to round that number out. I wouldn't say you are not training smart. You know that you are pushing and you are making that choice. I think often I don't push enough. I have been so excited for the hill phase of my training to begin as I want to see what I am capable of. Here's a quote I know you will love. "Only those who risk going too far can possibly know how far they can go." T.S. Eliot

HappyTrails said...

I'm with you on the odd numbers - 50 is SO much better than 49!!! :-) Hey, you are not far off in pushing the envelope periodically. I think it actually helps with the training effect by pushing the body to do something harder and different - out of its training comfort zone - once in awhile. As long as you aren't doing it every week you'll be ok. I loved your pictures - such a pretty area! There HAVE to be good trails around there! :-)

Jill said...

I always think if we don't push the envelope now and then, how will we know our true potential? Of course, there can be consequences but if we are too afraid to find out, then we'll never know. I think it's your time to find out :).

Nice job getting in that round 50...something I would totally do for sure!

Thanks for your very nice words today on my blog. I know you understand...so it means a lot!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Yahoo - look at that 5 mile race improvement! The 49 miles? I hope you never see my running journal! ; ) (Warning: odd weeks!) Thanks for the marathon encouragement! : )

Lindsay said...

Well as long as you aren't hurting/aching - it doesn't sound un-smart to me! Plus you've been consistent with your running, so that helps :)

{will run for margaritas} said...

Wow, you are awesome! Mom told me you had a great race (I know you love running in colder weather). I can't believe you went out for a 14 miler after your race (only a runner would do that....). Great job on hitting 50 for the week. I'll be there soon enough.

ajh said...

Very nice job getting all those miles in AFTER your race! I like to round those numbers up too!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Run a fast 30K tomorrow!

Irene said...

I love when runs just come together and you know it's going to be a great day!

Yes, I'd put in the extra mile to get that nice, round number!

Julie said...

Hi Ginny,
Holy cow girl!! You are a running machine! You have cranked up the miles this week! Nice job on your long run:) My longest run since starting marathon training has been nine miles. I just finished week two and it is going pretty slow. It is so fun to hear you so happy and excited about your running! Send some of that vibe my way:)

Take care and hugs to you!