I don't even really know what to say. "Hi, my name is Felice and I am a big bag of lazy bones." Sure, I guess I could say that. Few would argue. Or maybe I could try to explain the whole thing. "There were forces working against me that were far beyond my control." Hmm . . . that would be a bit of a stretch. Almost a lie.
So let me just say this: My running has been awful.
Looking back at the week, I can see that it just wasn't meant to be. I didn't have my head in the game, so to speak. Sure, I started the week with a nice little recovery run followed by speedwork. But, let's be honest. I wasn't feeling it. Friday evening was my tempo run. Or, as I have come to refer to it, my off-tempo run.
I had nothing. Nothing. I warmed up and felt sloggy. I sped up to my tempo pace and felt sloggier. I slowed a bit. Sloggy still. I took a walk break. Thought I might be OK. I sped back up. Back to sloggy. I pushed through. Sloggy. What was with me? I may never know.
And then we have Sunday. Ah, Sunday. Sunday with its promised highs in the 40s. Sunday the sunny day. Sunday of the 13 mile run. Sunday of the scheduled 13 mile run, that is.
I didn't do it. Just didn't. You know how you get yourself all set to do something and then the day comes and you just back out? Like when you are in 6th grade and you're all set to run for homeroom rep and then just like that you up and decide not to turn in your petition and so you can't get on the ballot? Well, that's what happened on Sunday. Sunday the most perfect day for a long run. I just up and decided not to do it.
For no reason. I mean, sure, I had reasons but, really, they weren't legitimate.
Instead of sticking to my schedule and running 13 miles, I went for an easy 4 mile run around my neighborhood and then came home and did a Shred workout. Now, I have guilt. What is with me? Why am I sabotaging my plans? I haven't the slightest idea. I just felt cruddy during my speedwork, cruddier during my tempo run and then didn't even attempt my long run.
I did, however, have a terrific 4 mile run. Maybe that's what I needed. Maybe I didn't need to slog through a long run yesterday. Maybe doing that would have made me feel worse. Who knows?
It is Monday. I'm going to take this week to re-evaluate some of my short-term goals, to get my head back in the game. Thinking about last week makes me cringe. I love to run. I don't want it to become something I dread because I've set goals for myself that don't work. So, I'm off to observe and evaluate.
Have a great week, everyone!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Rearview mirror.
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17 comments:
Good for you! Yeah, we have set backs. But, if you can re-evaluate and not let it derail you then you're on the right track. It would be a great shame if you started to hate something you love so much!
I think the little break was a good thing. Sometimes that will do the trick :-) I know for me when things start to get too serious, it's time to step back a bit or else I start dreading and who wants that? You did good :D
good job listening to your body... your mind and body will be refreshed..
sometimes we just need a break. marathon training can be more mentally exhausting than physically at times. hopefully the break will get you recharged!
Re-assessing your goals is a good plan. If you aren't feeling it, why do it?
And I love the "off-tempo run" catch phrase. I've had a few of those myself. :-)
Hang in there. Things will come together for you.
Maybe you need a few weeks of something else, like kickboxing or yoga or something. Usually a few weeks of another exercise will help get me back in to running... I think we're all bad about taking the breaks we need
I think that everyone is getting to the point where running in the cold and dark is just not motivating! Lets hope that spring comes quickly!!
I hope you find some answersand get your groove back soon!
It will be much more fun and rewarding to do a 13 miler if you are actually enjoying it. So glad to hear you didn't abandon the run completely and squeaked out a HAPPY 4 miler! A new week is welcoming you - happy running!
It's good to pause & reset once in a while to regain perspective.
This weather certainly doesn't help with the motivation though.
Good luck!
so.
what are the new thoughts on the short term goals?
I HEAR you on the needing to re-evaluate so you dont being to dread the running.
for me that almost happened when I signed up to compete in a different venue---but I know the feeling.
Sorry about the crappy week. It happens sometimes...not ever for a particularly good reason. Some thinking and evaluating is good...just don't overdo it. My motto is we're never as fast as we think we are after a good run and never as slow as after a bad one either!
You are slog-tastic.
That is my dopey, bloggy way of saying, sloggy or not you are still fantastic. Keep you head up and look at the road ahead, not behind you.
Good call...maybe you just need a bit of a break?
it's alright! sometimes you just gotta skip out on the long run. helps keep ya from getting too mentally drained/down on training. glad you still had a solid 4-miler and didn't just sit on your butt :)
Hey, that's still 4 miles more that the vast majority of people in this world ran on Sunday (including me!). Don't beat yourself up over this - gains are realized in the periods between workouts, so maybe your body just said "I'm into improving today, not breaking down."?
Hope this week is going better. Some of them are just slog-rotten. I totally WAS that sixth grader, by the way. Sigh.
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