Thursday, May 6, 2010

Here it goes…

I may regret this post later.

I have decided to take 2 weeks to recover.  I know I could probably do ok with one week and pick back up slowly but I stumbled across this article at Runner’s World .com: Second Chances (HERE).  The article is helpful for those of us who want to roll into a second or third (or fourth….) marathon (or race) pretty soon after completing one.   What I took away from the article is that that recovery is important, especially for me because I just did my first marathon and my body is kind of in shock mode.  Doing the half marathon last weekend was not the best idea, a bit too ambitious perhaps?  Either way, it did not kill me, injure me, break me, beat me or otherwise have any negative affect other than I can seriously tell I need some recovery time. 

With my next half marathon 7 weeks away I have time to really let my body bounce back (unless I do something completely stupid like run the local 50K that I REALLY want to do on June 5).  I have been thinking a lot about my next marathon and where I really want to go with my running.  With a lot of consideration I have decided that I am going to hit the training, speed work and hills, hard leading up to the Rock n Roll half in June.  I am going to shoot for a new PR, under 1:56 and significantly under that would be best (keep reading…). 

This will only build confidence in my newest plan:

 Run and PR in Portland Marathon on 10/10/10!

Now I am putting this here for you all to see, that makes it both serious and real.  My fingers want to type that I will be shooting for a BQ at Portland but I am just a little bit nervous to put that out there just yet.  A BQ would mean TWO half marathon PR’s in a row. And I am not just talking little half marathon PRs.  I am talking two half marathons at 1:49.30 to put me at the finish at exactly the cut off: 3:40.59. Now I am not saying it is impossible because I believe in hard work and training(just ask Miss Tall Mom Boston) .  I am saying it will take tremendous hard work and training to hold an 8:26 pace for 26.2 miles.  So for now I am throwing it out there with no pressure.  I will work on holding my pace at 8:23.  I am so close to that now. 

This past week I have been enjoying some cross training.  I swam 3/4 of a mile yesterday and again today (I do have a couple of sprint tri’s coming up here soon!). I lifted weights yesterday and did a serious core workout.  I am making a commitment to focus on my core more because (aside from the obvious summer/swimsuit season) core strength is important for running (and it is my goal to run in a speedo swim suit at my upcoming tri if I so desire).

Today I am grateful for:

Two weeks of rest!

The amazing transformation I have seen in my body over the last couple of months!  Pretty sure that is like #1 on the list as to WHY I do this to myself and am considering doing another!

Concealer because I have a huge bug bite (yeah, that is what it is) on my nose. Ugh, what am I? 16?  Sheesh………….

22 comments:

  1. Enjoy the rest while you can get it. I am jealous ... and watch out for the random 50k that might try and sneak up on you

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  2. Great plan - I like it! Many first time marathoners end up with a been there done that attitude after running their first and don't realize the need for proper recovery.

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  3. Congratulations! On getting rest and deciding on your next marathon. :)

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  4. I love that you are doing what's best for your body then Killing Portland!!

    Loving the bold type! ;) You will do it!!

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  5. I think it's really smart to give your body some rest...that's probably one of the hardest things for me!

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  6. Rest...is our friend not our weakness! I too am training for the Seattle half and need to hit those hills and speed too!! I took the plunged awhile ago and signed up for the Portland full. It will be my first! I am so excited and LOVE how you share your dreams and goals. Hope to see ya in Seattle! You are doing great and inspiring me all the way!!

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  7. I'm planning on taking two weeks off after my next marathon, the San Francisco Marathon on July 25, and you can't stop me.

    Glad to see that you are taking it easy. I kinda wanted to jump right back into the fray and run another marathon (the one I originally was eyeing was last weekend) but am glad I didn't do that. I think it was good for me to have waited for SF. I'm certain you won't regret this down time and then training for the Portland Marathon. Sounds exciting, and you know we'll be cheering for you no matter what.

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  8. I am more than happy to help you relax just let me know if you need anyone to show you how to be lazy...just today after lunch with a friend I relaxed in the sun in the yard...you are always welcome to join in!

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  9. Good for you for giving yourself a rest! And WOW re your new goals - YOU CAN DO IT!

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  10. Sounds great to me. Portland seems like such a great marathon. I might want to do that one too. I really think with the right training you CAN totally BQ! I really think so!

    Enjoy your break and lets run when you start up again. Great post!

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  11. Hope you enjoy the rest! I bet your body totally needs it after the marathon and the half! I am sure you can BQ!! Just keep training strong! That 10/10/10 date is so cool! That will be fun to run a marathon on that day!

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  12. Katie @ www.princessofpavement.comMay 6, 2010 at 6:00 PM

    I'm going to be running the Portland Marathon too! My very first marathon! Enjoy the rest.

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  13. Enjoy the rest! You have thought things through very well.

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  14. Amen Sister!! Soooo excited for you. If there is ANYTIHNG I can do along the way I WILL. Including you coming to see me at lunch for some TOUGH interval work.. Hugs to taking time off. Me, I am thinking of running Capital City on May 16th.. CRAZY!!

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  15. I think rest is as important as training. Good thing you recognize this! You will ROCK your next half in 7 weeks, that is a perfect amount of time to relax then start training again!

    Im hoping to PR, but Im really excited for a flat race coming up....enough of the hilly races!! :) Ill look into the Jock N Jill race....

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  16. Great plan, give those speedy legs some rest and you will come back fresh and stronger!

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  17. Good for you. Enjoy your rest and use it to do the mental preparation and thinking about your future races.
    You are so inspirational to me b/c you are able to fit it all in!!
    As for the "bug bite", I had flawless skin most of the time as a teen, however, since I started running, I have to work pretty hard at it. I think it's the sweat.

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  18. You deserve it!!! That is so exciting about your next marathon planned :) Have a wonderful, restful weekend!

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  19. Totally feel ya, Running Times had an article that I just read, about peeps who ran Boston Marathon in years past and then in 2009, they all did much better in 09' and mass majority said they put in LESS miles when training for 09... They all talked about how the rest REALLY mattered.. So high five to you!

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  20. It may be hard but it's smart- letting your body recoup :).

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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