…and I guess I’m ok with that.
I’ve lost my speed. For good? For now? I have no idea. This time last year I was heading into a Mercer Island Birthday Half Marathon PR a PR that lasted until June and began my string of sub 2 hour halves. I was in the throes of marathon #1 training and I was sitting about 6 pounds lighter. That weight makes a huge difference, I know it does. Since beginning my 1/2 Iron training I have lost 4 pounds. So I am sitting at a good race weight but not my best racing weight. I will get there by the half Iron, I know it.
Anyway, back to loosing the speed. I was thinking today as I was doing my 12 miles, actually I wasn’t thinking much at first, I was just jogging. Slow for me. At about 6.66 miles I started thinking and I realized I was running really slow for me. My lone 11 mile last weekend was faster, but still not where I would like it to have been. What was my problem? Why was I seemingly running through molasses? I spotted my friend about a mile ahead of me, at least, and wanted to catch her. I sped up and was able to get my mile pace sub 9. I caught up with her around mile 8.34. I know I have it in me…I just don’t unleash it.
So why wasn’t I doing it all along, running faster? I likened it to a ninja, only using knowledge and skills for good, or Clark Kent who is only Super Man when he needs to be, or Peter Parker-busting out into Spider Man when bad guys are around. Certainly not saying I am in anyway a super hero but I just don’t feel a need to train fast and hard right now. But I know that come race day that means I wont be able to race fast and hard. Or will I? I have been doing my interval training and tempo runs but my longer runs are not stellar. I have no idea what to expect come next weekend when I do my first half marathon of the season. Sub two? I don’t know. I think I will shoot for a 2:05 but that will be a hard pill to swallow after last years HARD work and training to get my 1:55 PR. What ever happened to progression? Getting better not worse? I’m not ready to say “I ran a 1:55 half marathon once.” I want to say I ran a 1:50, a 1:47, a 1:45…I’m not done progressing!
And then there is the tired legs thing (spin 4 times last week and swam 3 miles). I think this multisport business is just tough. It is kicking me in the back side. I will be laying off the spin and swim this week, a little, in prep for next weekend. Hopefully it will leave my legs antsy and wanting to unleash their inner Clark-Peter-Super Spider Ninja! You think?
So tomorrow night my CEP Compression socks giveaway ends and the winner will be chosen and announced on Monday!!! Have you entered yet? If not go HERE and do your thang!
And today is my TFF and Official Race Crew’s birthday!! Happy birthday Jessica! I wish I were there to celebrate with you!! Thanks for being amazing, thanks for being my TFF and thanks for supporting me in all my crazy endeavors and for coming along to be my Official Race Crew---I could not have accomplished half of what I have done without YOU! Hope to see you at my Half Iron!!! I will need you!
And finally, where are your medals? I ask for a good reason…remember my Allied Steele Medal Display? I might have one for one of you!!! Stay tuned sometime next week for details!
Is the speed thing something you just noticed now? If your 11 miler last weekend was faster, then I wouldn't worry about it. Your legs are probably just more fatigued than you think.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe you just need a pacer.
I wouldn't let yourself get down after just one run. See how your legs feel after a few more longer runs and trying to push yourself. But maybe your body is just trying to tell you its been pushed a bit to hard. And you might want to listen to it :)
ReplyDeleteYou are doing ALOT chica, don't let it get to you. I bet with some time off this week you will rock that half!
ReplyDeleteIf you look at a pace calculator or talk to a coach, you will probably find that you were running your long runs too fast before anyways. Don't beat yourself up. You are putting those legs through a LOT these days! You'll get that speed back!
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE IT!! Believe... Legs may be tired but they are strong and so are you friend..
ReplyDeleteI know you will get your speed back and get that half marathon down to the 1:40's when you're ready!
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for supporting Paddy on his run for Jason today! I know it meant a lot to both of them. I love the Helen Keller quote you had and used it on my FB site.
I'm sure your legs and body are just tired from all the multi sport training. A week of serious cutback should bring back your energy and speed. Good luck in your half!
ReplyDeleteI vote for the multi-sport training reason. Next weeks rest for the 1/2 will help you gage things better! Chin up!
ReplyDeleteI think your speed has probably decreased due to training for so many sports. I think it sounds perfectly normal! I can't wait for the CEP Compression Socks giveaway! Pick me!!!! My medals are hanging on a cork board in our spare room. I've been checking out the medal hangers online and will likely be asking for one for my birthday!
ReplyDeleteAmanda-doggy, you will totally find that speed again--your body doesn't forget!! You are too CLUTCH!! ;)
ReplyDeleteHere's to "Spring training" and us BOTH getting back to our racing weights!
Just found your blog! Wow, training for a half Iron Man, that's cool. I definitely think that could be having an impact on your running.
ReplyDeleteListen, I struggle with this BIG TIME! It's complicated and I wish I could explain over a cup of coffee! I have a time of year where I run like gangbusters and as my daughter says in swim parlance "I drop time, big time", then two months later I'm back to square one. I have lots of friends that run and I run faster than most of them although you and I run almost EXACTLY the same pace.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to run by myself but to run with others I have to sacrifice pace.
I'll say that 3 out of the 4 half's that I did last year, I was asked on three of them to pace people who were running their first halfs. YES! Really! There was no way I was going to say "no" to someone who's one goal in life was to beat 2:15 in their first half. Maybe their only! The other half that I meant to PR I spent hurling because I had beer the night before. I'm so dumb sometimes.
So...now I'm injured and was set to run a 1:50ish on April 3rd. Not gonna happen. Oh well.