My master plan for the fall was to end my racing season at the Holiday Half on December 16th, where I would run the 5k if I hadn't gotten back under 18 yet, and run the half "just for fun" if I had.
But something started to happen in my brain as November turned to December: my attention started to wander. My body felt fine, I was kicking ass and taking names in my workouts, but in some weird way I started to feel just a bit tired.
Being the overly self-aware analytical type that I am, I tried to figure it out. I wasn't hurt, I wasn't sick, not over-trained, not anemic.... what was it?
On November 30th, I did a 16 miler with a really solid 7 mile progression run. Pretty much killed it. That night I was out late at a show, and when I woke up the next morning I just didn't feel like running. At all. I didn't even feel like going out for an easy run. On a weekend morning. That's kind of like me not feeling like eating cupcakes. It just doesn't happen.
The mystery was solved when I got into work that Monday morning and realized that it was time to change the calendar page. Then it dawned on me: it's December. I don't race in December! What was I thinking planning a season ending race in the middle of December? December is rest and re-set time, not peak race time! It's just break time, smarty-pants! (yes, that's how my brain talks to itself.)
I looked at my training log. My last full break was in May. The slow injury comeback over the spring and summer had pushed my return to real workouts to fall, but I'd basically been at 50-65 miles a week for 6 months. My legs felt ok because my fall workout load had turned out AWESOME, but my head was screaming for a break.
So, for once in my life, I listened. No running, full stop, until I wanted to run again.
That turned out to be 6 days, and I freely admit, that as each day passed, I got a little more concerned. I was going to want to run again, right?
Yes, I was.
But in the meantime, I threw myself into planning my spring training. There's nothing I love more than sitting down with my big ol' 11x17 home-made blank training schedules and planning. Planning and scheming my way to a big spring marathon performance. This time I even made color-coded excel spreadsheets on my lunch break at work. I am ridiculously excited about my color-coded spreadsheets. Different types of workouts have different colored cells so that I can see at a glance the basic proportions of each type of workout. I have stopped short of carrying these around on my person at all times, but a paper copy does reside in my backpack for easy reference.
I'm now finishing up the second week of my return to running. Next I have 3 weeks of transition mileage and transition workouts, and then the real fun begins. I can't wait. I think my body is finally ready for real marathon training again, and I'm ready to kick its ass.
In other news, I'm happy to report that I am joining Team Oiselle for 2013.
Over the past couple of years I've become enamored of Oiselle's clothing, which is highly unusual for someone who voluntarily limits their clothing shopping to twice yearly excursions to the upstate NY outlet mall with Mom. No one will ever mistake me for a clothes horse.
But I know good stuff when I wear it, so when the opportunity arose to run for the company responsible for the best running shorts I have ever pulled up over my legs, I jumped at it. (Roga shorts, ladies. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating, and you know how tricky it can be to find good running shorts.)
Oiselle is a Seattle-based company that makes running clothes for women exclusively (sorry, guys).
Check them out for yourself: www.oiselle.com
I'd love to see a pic of the famous colorized training chart mentioned above. It is always interesting to see what similar planning/tracking tools others are putting together instead of the usual online or off the shelf programs.
ReplyDeleteAlso, besides this spring marathon (which race are you targeting by the way) and our annual Hood to Coast extravaganza, what other running adventures do you have planned in 2013? Anything possibly up my Seattle-way, especially now that you are running with Team Oiselle?
Hey Matt!
DeleteMy spring focus is Boston. And then I might do some of the USATF masters track stuff over the summer. I've been kind of out of that loop the past couple of years, and I'm feeling like I want to get back on the track.
How about you?
And Seattle? I'll come run a race in Seattle as soon as you flatten out those hills!
I'll try to post my training plan chart, you'll love it. It's beautiful.
-Andi
Ha! I hear you about the hills. There are a few races I know of and plan to run this year that are actually pretty flat. One to target is the Ruston Way 5k in Tacoma. It has a special Elite wave that is fairly deep and competitive. Unfortunately for Boston bound marathoners, it is April 20th.
DeleteI've got some unfinished business on the track, so I'm hoping to run the major masters track meets in the OR/WA area, but doubtful that I will run USATF masters nationals in Kansas. I might still try to make it to the 5th Ave. Mile in Sept. and maybe a fall marathon, but the marathon may be on hold for a while.