Faster and Faster
A friend of mine asked the other day what I had learned this time around now that I am 5 weeks into my training program. There are quite a few things, it seems.
* It's always better to run outside. Being away from a treadmill and programmed pace doesn't let you underestimate yourself. For awhile now, my indoor running has felt stagnant and that's because typing numbers into the computer to generate pace, etc. based on a former race 16 weeks out doesn't automatically account for the strength you've gained and improvements you've made since that race time. Plus, it's just a hell of a lot more fun.
**subpoint to that: While it's often easy to pick a number to achieve and overestimate ability, I need to remember not to underestimate myself.
* Race often. Even if you use it as a tempo run or something, the experience of doing it and getting to know the course (for me, that is usually Central Park). Not too often so as to undermine the big goal race, but enough to be comfortable...and definitely enough to qualify for automatic entry into next year's New York Marathon! (9 + 1, here I come!)
* Find a running partner or a group to train with. In addition to accountability and added fun and entertainment while logging those miles, partners push each other in a friendly, competitive way. I have a group now in the Team in Training folks, and I have signed up for one more structured run a week by taking a NYRR class on Thursdays. It's one of the things that has been missing from my running and, while I love all of you and know that you support me, it allows me to spare you the agony of having to listen to me yammer on about split times and "that *$&#ing hill!" so really, it's good for everyone.
* Don't be a slave to the numbers. It's best to take a day to cross-train or rest after a hard workout, rather than log miles because the schedule says so. Tempo runs, sppedwork and long runs are where the real work gets done, so don't skip those, but it's okay to do something easier on the joints and legs than just slavishly plodding through those 5-6 miles if it's going to sacrifice your ability to have a strong quality work run the next day.
...and finally, a fun fact for everyone:
Chocolate milk is the perfect recovery drink! Not only yummy, but the perfect balance of protein and carbohydrates to help the body recover quickly, this is great news for me! I now keep a large carton of Nesquik in my fridge at all times, and it's the first thing I reach for after a run. Deeee-lish!
Finally, I will end this by saying that I am having a really good running week. I am getting stronger: I felt that yesterday on my 6 miler- because I went to the track to do some strides and then hit the Williamsburg bridge- my favorite run because seeing the skyline helps me remember that I love this city and that I am pretty lucky to have the life I do when times are tough or I've had a bad day- and I felt less difficulty on the uphill and that I was faster and the whole thing was a bit easier than in the past. I am getting faster: some good times have been pulled down this week, from the race to our tempo workout in the park this week, which I thank my fellow, faster advanced group members for pushing me (damn type-A personality!!)
I am having fun: I am really enjoying running- even in the cold, the snow, the wind- and learning that runners are generally good, friendly, social folks, and I really like being out on the roads with them!
A gentle reminder: there is a challenge to get to 25% of my fundraising minimum by the end of December!!! I get a fun prize, which I will consider my Christmas present from you if you help me get there! So, please, please, please donate to my cause...my personal webpage is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/cmc09/kkocinski
* It's always better to run outside. Being away from a treadmill and programmed pace doesn't let you underestimate yourself. For awhile now, my indoor running has felt stagnant and that's because typing numbers into the computer to generate pace, etc. based on a former race 16 weeks out doesn't automatically account for the strength you've gained and improvements you've made since that race time. Plus, it's just a hell of a lot more fun.
**subpoint to that: While it's often easy to pick a number to achieve and overestimate ability, I need to remember not to underestimate myself.
* Race often. Even if you use it as a tempo run or something, the experience of doing it and getting to know the course (for me, that is usually Central Park). Not too often so as to undermine the big goal race, but enough to be comfortable...and definitely enough to qualify for automatic entry into next year's New York Marathon! (9 + 1, here I come!)
* Find a running partner or a group to train with. In addition to accountability and added fun and entertainment while logging those miles, partners push each other in a friendly, competitive way. I have a group now in the Team in Training folks, and I have signed up for one more structured run a week by taking a NYRR class on Thursdays. It's one of the things that has been missing from my running and, while I love all of you and know that you support me, it allows me to spare you the agony of having to listen to me yammer on about split times and "that *$&#ing hill!" so really, it's good for everyone.
* Don't be a slave to the numbers. It's best to take a day to cross-train or rest after a hard workout, rather than log miles because the schedule says so. Tempo runs, sppedwork and long runs are where the real work gets done, so don't skip those, but it's okay to do something easier on the joints and legs than just slavishly plodding through those 5-6 miles if it's going to sacrifice your ability to have a strong quality work run the next day.
...and finally, a fun fact for everyone:
Chocolate milk is the perfect recovery drink! Not only yummy, but the perfect balance of protein and carbohydrates to help the body recover quickly, this is great news for me! I now keep a large carton of Nesquik in my fridge at all times, and it's the first thing I reach for after a run. Deeee-lish!
Finally, I will end this by saying that I am having a really good running week. I am getting stronger: I felt that yesterday on my 6 miler- because I went to the track to do some strides and then hit the Williamsburg bridge- my favorite run because seeing the skyline helps me remember that I love this city and that I am pretty lucky to have the life I do when times are tough or I've had a bad day- and I felt less difficulty on the uphill and that I was faster and the whole thing was a bit easier than in the past. I am getting faster: some good times have been pulled down this week, from the race to our tempo workout in the park this week, which I thank my fellow, faster advanced group members for pushing me (damn type-A personality!!)
I am having fun: I am really enjoying running- even in the cold, the snow, the wind- and learning that runners are generally good, friendly, social folks, and I really like being out on the roads with them!
A gentle reminder: there is a challenge to get to 25% of my fundraising minimum by the end of December!!! I get a fun prize, which I will consider my Christmas present from you if you help me get there! So, please, please, please donate to my cause...my personal webpage is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/cmc09/kkocinski
posted by justsaying at 8:53 AM
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