Racy Thoughts, part 2
Am I interested in doing another half marathon? Nope. I learned in training that after about 8 miles, it wasn't fun any more, it was just a slog to the end. However I'm not saying never. On New Year's Day I ran with the YS Running Grrls for about 4 miles, the longest I'd run at once since the Turkey Trot in 2011. The fact that I now think of 4-6 miles as totally doable, and pretty comfortable, is a huge step forward! Perhaps when my body's had more time to run those distances, training for 13 will be appealing. Though I have to say: I enjoy running, and running with friends makes the longer runs far more enjoyable, but I don't really enjoy doing it for 2 hours. That's a hell of a long time to do one thing. One thing I have to do child-free, which presents its own headaches.
Next up is a 5k which now feels like a simple thing I don't have to train for. Worlds away from where I was before this year! The next big race is a sprint duathlon on June 2. Last night I started to create a training program for that and was taken aback. The distances are 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run. All of which seem totally doable. Last time I did this race, those distances seemed like a lot to reach for (though looking back at my results spreadsheet, I was FAST so I was clearly ready!). Don't get me wrong, doing all of that back to back is still going to be hard, no doubt about it. I've barely taken my road bike out in couple years, so that part needs to be spruced up too. But where I expected to have to ramp up distance, I find what I really need to do is work on speed and transitions, and probably bike endurance. Even practicing bricks -- bike to run back to back and vice versa -- is more familiar because I so often bike Z to school, run on the bike path and bike home. Though the distances don't compare, my legs are at least more used to going back and forth between the two.
This high class problem, more than anything, is making me realize how far I've come athletically. Okay, it's unlikely that I'll set a total PR because in 2005, I was 7 years younger and not yet a mom. But the nature of the challenge feels entirely different. I feel like a Real Athlete to have to improve my skills rather than develop them in the first place. And that is pretty damned cool.
Oh, and for the record: I have now run as many miles this year as I ran all of last year. That's what not moving house and having a long race to train for will do for a gal!
Next up is a 5k which now feels like a simple thing I don't have to train for. Worlds away from where I was before this year! The next big race is a sprint duathlon on June 2. Last night I started to create a training program for that and was taken aback. The distances are 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run. All of which seem totally doable. Last time I did this race, those distances seemed like a lot to reach for (though looking back at my results spreadsheet, I was FAST so I was clearly ready!). Don't get me wrong, doing all of that back to back is still going to be hard, no doubt about it. I've barely taken my road bike out in couple years, so that part needs to be spruced up too. But where I expected to have to ramp up distance, I find what I really need to do is work on speed and transitions, and probably bike endurance. Even practicing bricks -- bike to run back to back and vice versa -- is more familiar because I so often bike Z to school, run on the bike path and bike home. Though the distances don't compare, my legs are at least more used to going back and forth between the two.
This high class problem, more than anything, is making me realize how far I've come athletically. Okay, it's unlikely that I'll set a total PR because in 2005, I was 7 years younger and not yet a mom. But the nature of the challenge feels entirely different. I feel like a Real Athlete to have to improve my skills rather than develop them in the first place. And that is pretty damned cool.
Oh, and for the record: I have now run as many miles this year as I ran all of last year. That's what not moving house and having a long race to train for will do for a gal!