Saturday, February 11, 2012

Ok, so I ran today.....

I didn't print off a "Run For Sherry" bib, but she was definitely in my thoughts as I headed out.  The idea of someone going out for a run and never returning is terrifying......these sorts of things should never happen anywhere or to anyone, but unfortunately we simply cannot take anything for granted anymore.  I always make sure to hug and kiss my wife and son before I leave for a run.....not because I expect something bad to happen, but you just never know.....

Today was one of those days when you could tell right away that it was going to be a bit of a slog.  The day was chilly (not BONE-CHILLING cold, but cold enough....thick, damp air), overcast, breezy, and with just a hint of snow in the air.  Nothing was sticking, but it was coming down for the entire time I was out.  As soon as I started out, however, it was clear it wasn't going to be a particularly good run.  It just felt that my body was "locked"......it usually takes me about 2 miles to loosen up and start to feel good, but there was never a time when I felt like I could just go....things just stayed tight.

I was scheduled to go 13, but I knew that 3 loops of my normal training route would have me end up somewhere between 14 and 16, depending upon how many "extras" I dialed in over the course of the run.  Normally, I see several people out running, but there was nobody out there today but me......again, it really wasn't that bad outside, but I think the forecast scared people off and got them to change their plans. As for me, I'm starting to get the mindset that unless I'm sick, I'm going.......like Coach Bowerman said "there's no such thing as bad weather, only soft people!".  It's in my nature to be "soft", so I definitely had something to prove!

I was ready to quit by the end of the 2nd loop.....ok, I was ready to quit before I got to the end of my street after leaving the driveway, but I wasn't going to give in.  As I left for the 3rd loop, I was adding in plenty of walk breaks......trying to get my average speed down.  Someday, I'm going to figure out how to actually RUN slowly.....it's not that I run fast by any means, but the only way I can get my average to be more than 10:00/mile (short of actually running a marathon!) is to have walk breaks every few minutes.  I think my ability to slow my pace is improving every day, but I still feel the need to go even slower, although the idea of doing my long runs at about 1:00/mile slower than marathon pace is something I haven't quite been able to do yet......I think I just need to get over how slow that actually is!

Anyway, I did finally finish my run....14.36 miles at about 10:19/mile.  Definitely a slow ride, but it actually felt good to do it.  I spent so much time fighting myself throughout the run that it felt like a victory just to do it.  I don't like working so hard, but there are times when it's just what you have to do to get it done!

So now I've got one more week before we're off on our big vacation.  My parents are taking my family on a Caribbean cruise for the February vacation week.  Barb and I would not normally go cruising, but we're going into it with an open mind and we're really looking forward to it.  I'm not sure how I'm going to work on my training while on a cruise ship, as I'm scheduled to do 17 miles the first day of the cruise.....that ain't happening!  They do have a nice gym on the boat, but I can't really go any longer than 7 miles on a dreadmill, so I might have to try to run on deck.  Flexibility is going to be the key, as I'm on vacation with my family, so I'm going to have to work out a new plan.

Any of you have any experience with running while on a cruise?

11 comments:

  1. Why not try break up your run doing parts on deck (don't they usually have a track around the boat???) then a few miles on the treaddie, back on deck , treaddie ... etc

    Have a fantastic holiday :-)

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  2. that's probably what I'll end up doing......or some variation of that. Again, it's all about being creative in getting some miles in, while still actually enjoying being on vacation! Good luck with the Brighton Half.....you'll do great!

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  3. Breaking it up is a great idea. I read a blog entry of someone's once a long time ago who ran a half marathon on a cruise. She said it wasn't as bad as it sounded.

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  4. Hey Bill, loved what you said about wanting to quit by the end of your street since I feel that way quite often. I literally CAN NOT judge what type of run I'm going to have in the first mile or so. With the exception of some recent runs, I am often a bit stiff for the first couple of miles, so much of what you wrote in this post applies to be as well. Glad you got your run in.

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  5. Nice work! Sometimes those hard runs are the most satisfying (once we're done, of course :)

    ❀Barbara❀
    My Running Shortz

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  6. "There's no such thing as bad weather, only soft people" I LOVE this! I have been extra whiney, lately, might have to remember that... :D

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    1. Hi Ginger,

      I'd love to take credit, but it came from Bowerman.......I try to remember it every time I start to complain about it being too cold......thankfully, I haven't needed to pull any of that this "winter", but it's still something to think about. BTW, I enjoy your blog.....hope you start to follow mine!

      See you out there on the road!

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    1. that's the plan.......sounds like you've got a good one planned too!!!!

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  8. Nice job slowing down a bit for this long run! Really, you have two options: 1) slow your long run, or 2) speed up your marathon. If that faster long-run pace feels easy, I bet you've got more speed in your legs than you think.

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    1. just trying to get through training in one piece, and then I'll just let it all out on Marathon Monday. Well, at least as much as I'm actually able to "let it all out"! LOL

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