Friday, June 18, 2010

Still doing a spot of running here and there

So what with house insanity (which I started a separate blog for here) and marathon recovery, I haven't been doing very much running. Now of course this is a relative term. But it's been very light compared to the spring. I knew I needed the break, and I've tried not to fight it too much. I've gradually gotten back into the swing of things in the past two weeks or so.

I definitely draw some comparisons between this summer and last summer. There are similarities: complete and utter lack of motivation, one week in the single digits, and the feeling that I'll never be able to run more than 10 miles again. Of course, this summer contains a great deal less freaking out, for which I am grateful. And since I didn't have any Stressful Events (other than closing on the house), I was able to keep things going a lot better.

On June 5, I thought I would just see where I was and run a 5K. Of course it turned out to be a hot, humid morning, and the course was hilly. I managed a 23:22, which was pretty disappointing, because last summer I ran a 22:46 and was very upset with how slow it was. Then the following Wednesday I tried to run 10 miles and couldn't finish 3 without walking. Ouch.

On June 12, I tried another 5K. This one was even hotter and more humid, but it was flat! (Similar to the route of my 22:46 from last summer.) Against what seemed like all odds, the mojo returned and I ran a 21:57. So, now I suppose I can say that I'm about five weeks and 50 seconds ahead of last year.

That being said, I'm due to start my training for Monumental on Sunday, and I'm kinda not looking forward to following the plan. I'm seriously thinking about just scrapping the idea of a real plan and just kinda running what I feel like. I'll set mileage goals, but otherwise I'll run slow when I feel slow, and fast when I feel fast. Probably won't do much if any true speedwork other than local 5Ks. It's an experiment I've always wanted to try. How necessary is it for me to do formal speed workouts? Maybe I'll find out.

3 comments:

DawnB said...

congrats, on the house closing. Lets just say you are way ahead of me when it comes to your running :) nice job on the last
5k. good luck with everything I'm sure you'll be back on track before you know it. I am all for run how you feel, go for it. :)

L.A. Runner said...

Girl, you've been mucho busy! You're definitely ahead of the game, though, so no worries. You will be "back" before you know it!

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