Saturday, August 25, 2012

Bad Idea

I'm on pace for by far my worst-ever blogging month and my worst running month since February, when I had the excuse that I was coming back from a month off with injuries.  I really should be doing a better job with both.  As for blogging, there's actually a lot to write about, I just haven't found the time or motivation to write it lately.  But since I actually have a few post ideas rattling around in my brain these days, I'm going to stretch them out over the next week rather than doing a big catch-up post like I usually do.

My biggest running news is that I signed up for the Atlantic City Half Marathon.  It's unquestionably a bad idea.  The half marathon (and marathon) is on October 21, and here I am, on August 25, not having run more than 5 miles since the Fourth of July (6 miles).  My left leg has been giving me problems, my tailbone has been a pain in the ass*, and I'll be honest, I've been having trouble finding the time and motivation to run lately.  (That's a blog post that I probably won't ever get around to writing!)



Chris and I have been contemplating the AC Half for months, and she put together training plans for us.  Mine called for an 8-mile run today.  Problem:  I haven't run more than 5 in months and my last run was last Sunday in the burning desert of Las Vegas (more on this in a future post).  8 miles was too ambitious.  My plan was to try for it, but to be happy with 6 or 7, and I extended my usual out-and-back route accordingly.  It was a cool, if very humid morning, but I felt pretty good.  Unfortunately, by extending my route, I hit some steep hills that I'm just not ready for these days.  By the time I'd hit the 4-mile mark, my left leg was in a lot of pain.  

Chris' training plan calls for a step-back week every other week, so next weekend is a 4-miler.   Yeah, no.  I've got to do a good job lifting this week, get the midweek runs in, and bust out a 6-8 miler.  The whole summer has been a step-back week, and my day of reckoning is fast approaching.

*So, back in July I wrote my Spartan Race reviews and said I wasn't sure if I would do one again.  Well, I'm sure now.  No way.  My tailbone still isn't all the way healed a month and a half later because of a stupid slip'n'slide of all things and it's been a pretty big setback to my running.  Seriously, screw Spartan Race.  I'm proud of how Chris and I did, and I do have some good memories of it, but I'm definitely a one-and-done Spartan.

4 comments:

  1. "...my day of reckoning is fast approaching." Bullshit. You are still young with a good 15, maybe even 20 years to potentially kick some serious ass as you figure our for yourself how to take care of yourself. Just have fun, stay fit, and enjoy it.

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    1. Oh no. I didn't mean anything quite that bleak this time...just that I think I'm probably going to get my ass kicked at this half in October!

      It's been a pretty sub-mediocre running summer, for reasons both beyond and within my control, but I do better and like running more in the cold, so I'm pretty confident that I can come back and do well in my spring marathon in March. After that, who knows? I want to make that marathon comeback, but I think the shorter distances are where I have the most fun.

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  2. SOrry your tailbone is still giving you grief...injuries suck! As you well know. I have a marathon in a mere 6 weeks for which I have not run more than 13 miles at one time for, and even then I had to walk some. Seriously have had a very tough time getting back my endurance after my foot fiasco. Anyway, looks like you and I are in the same boat for our upcoming races, but I sort of am looking at is as I should be so disgusted with performance that hopefully it will kick me in the butt to actually try to turn this mess around. Hopefully for you, too! It will all be good :).

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  3. I went on a forced running and blogging hiatus for the past month or so (didn't stop running completely, just toned it down quite a bit) and I'm almost glad that I had to take a break. I'm finally starting to feel better on my runs, and hopefully you will too! Hang in there!

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