I've had some good runs lately. I've also had some exhausting ones that make me question my motives. Winter training has proven to be a challenge, but one I can deal with. I tend to cut down my mileage by about 25% and I'm a lot slower too, or at least I haven't improved my speed at all since it's been cold. Just too stiff and a little miserable.
Yesterday I ran with the Denver Trail Runners and it's hard to believe I can get their kind of speed one day. It was a little ridiculous because watching their stride, it didn't even seem like they could possibly be going much faster, but within a minute or so they'd be a half a mile ahead of me or more. I felt like such a loser.
Yesterday I ran with the Denver Trail Runners and it's hard to believe I can get their kind of speed one day. It was a little ridiculous because watching their stride, it didn't even seem like they could possibly be going much faster, but within a minute or so they'd be a half a mile ahead of me or more. I felt like such a loser.
And Saturday was my long run, pushing 18 miles. But I always hit a wall (The Wall??) at mile 12 like every time. I think it must have happened during my Black Squirrel Half Marathon too... and it never fails to flatten me and make me cry from exhaustion. In the warmer months, and with lots of daylight, I was pretty good about pushing through and wanting to die at the end. But when it's cold and I'm racing against the sunset? I just don't have it in me.
This was 2/3 of my run Saturday, including the decent. It was actually pretty fun, except for the two times I fell on my ass, twisted my ankle and further injured my IT Band problem. However, running through it, I felt fine and when I got to my car at mile 10.5, I knew I could continue onto South Valley and complete the other 8 miles. And then magically, feeling good, good, good, good, good, mile 12, BAM, shit. And I want to die. So strange.
Which makes me so skeptical that I'm at all ready for a marathon in just over a month. Really? I think it's two half marathon loops. When I finish the first one how on earth will I get the motivation to do a whole other loop, climbing 1400 feet?
Nevermind, I was wrong about the double loop:
Which makes me so skeptical that I'm at all ready for a marathon in just over a month. Really? I think it's two half marathon loops. When I finish the first one how on earth will I get the motivation to do a whole other loop, climbing 1400 feet?
Nevermind, I was wrong about the double loop:
But the first climb is 1700, not 1400. Well, can't say I've not done worse. Most of my training is about that I believe, if not worse. And at way higher elevations, starting at 6200 ft or so.
I love how there's a huge climb right around the time I hate my life and then you see that hill at mile 24? Are they sadists? I know I will cry when I cross the finish. I cry after every run over 13 miles in training. I will also be crying because I just finished a fucking marathon after less than 6 months of running. Do you believe that? I just started running in JULY.
When I ran in Austin, though, the extra oxygen at sea-level really didn't feel any better. I was still really exhausted and sad at 13 miles and barely pushed through 15. Though again, if I wasn't racing against the sun? Maybe. And maybe it was just the humidity stifling me even though I enjoy heavy air way more than dry desert air. We'll see how it goes.
So with all this training, I've added new things on my wishlist. I think I'm just going to run my debt straight into the ground and just not care. Even if I'm only substitute teaching with a crappy pay, I can still afford my monthly bills and will be living pretty much the same way I am now, afraid to buy a $1.75 cup of coffee.
The Dreaded Wishlist:
I love how there's a huge climb right around the time I hate my life and then you see that hill at mile 24? Are they sadists? I know I will cry when I cross the finish. I cry after every run over 13 miles in training. I will also be crying because I just finished a fucking marathon after less than 6 months of running. Do you believe that? I just started running in JULY.
When I ran in Austin, though, the extra oxygen at sea-level really didn't feel any better. I was still really exhausted and sad at 13 miles and barely pushed through 15. Though again, if I wasn't racing against the sun? Maybe. And maybe it was just the humidity stifling me even though I enjoy heavy air way more than dry desert air. We'll see how it goes.
So with all this training, I've added new things on my wishlist. I think I'm just going to run my debt straight into the ground and just not care. Even if I'm only substitute teaching with a crappy pay, I can still afford my monthly bills and will be living pretty much the same way I am now, afraid to buy a $1.75 cup of coffee.
The Dreaded Wishlist:
This might be highest on my list because it seems like it would last me any distance in training or racing and provides a lot of bonuses in carrying stuff, which I like to do on my runs. However, I would also need to buy a 70 oz bladder, preferably from the same company because it has the zip closure that would be essential in cutting down race time at aid stations |
I don't think getting the 2's vs the 3's make a difference, except the 3's look super sick! The more I run, and especially with my ITB syndrome knee, the more I want these cushioned lovelies to grace my feet. I didn't think I'd want them until Ultra training, but maaan, they would be awesome for my marathon. |
- A nice windbreaker.
I'm considering the Nike+ one. Though it'd be nice if it had a pedometer too for the price. I'm not totally sure which one I really want, but the Nike one looks nice and I've always been happy with their products. I think my phone won't last much longer for tracking 5-7 hour long runs, so a GPS watch will be necessary at some point to train with. **update** it doesn't look like the Nike one is good either for battery life OR tracking elevation. Fail. Might have to go with a Garmin or possibly Polar? |
- I still need winter running socks. I keep finding deals on places like REI or REI-outlet or Sierra Trading Post. Especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. But without a job, it's hard to justify shopping even for clearance or super deals.
- And I'd like to get back into cross training sometime. And I found some great shoes and clothes for that, but they're not at all necessary (except maybe those Nike ballet flats I've had my heart set on since before they even came out).
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- Everything on my Amazon wishlist - Fitness Equipment but especially the books at the top of my non-labeled wishlist. I could use some long novels about running for more inspiration.
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I feel like there was more on my wishlist. Well, I have $230 worth of shopping cart items on Nike. Another $150 on REI/REI-outlet and $50 or so on Sierra. So I guess that about sums that up. And the problem with most of those is the time-dependent promo codes that make them THAT low even. Probably tack on an additional 30% plus shipping after December 2nd or 3rd. As in today and tomorrow. Lame.
One day.
One day.