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June 10, 2005
Let's Take an Objective Look...
…at my blog. Anyone reading it would pretty much be able say that I should not be marathon training right now-if ever. I am a walking injury. I don’t handle high mileage well. Furthermore, if I am going to run another one at some point, and I really want to if the running gods cooperate, it does not need to be right this instant. This morning, I found that same clarity that is pretty obvious from the “outside looking in.”
I did a “brick” workout. I drove to the pool and parked there b/c I was in search of flatter terrain to run on. I planned to run on the roads. Then I found a trail (it’s really a paved path) I used to run on and ended up on it. I mean, it’s like I am on autopilot. I know I should be taking it easy, but I was running up and down hills on this path because I felt like it. Anyway, my knee felt not 100%, which it has been earlier this week. There was some pain in some new places (which actually gives me less anxiety than when it is in the same place). I finished the 35 minute run though. I plan to take Saturday and Sunday off from running.
Then I walked a few hundred yards to my car. On my short walk a guy ran past me, stopped at his car that was parked next to mine, picked up his swimming stuff, and headed inside the pool. Hmm I thought, that’s interesting. He must be doing what I am doing.
I went inside and swam for 20 minutes. I couldn’t stay longer b/c my hour long commute to work called :( My knee felt not great so I “pulled” the whole time. As I was walking out I looked at the other guy’s car and saw a sticker with the word “Triathlon” on it. Aha, this guy is an “official” triathlete I guess.
So I went home and was going about my morning and reflected on the following:
1. I cannot run long distances right now
2. I can swim right now
3. I can bike right now
4. I can run short distances right now
(You can see where this is going.)
Therefore, I should not run a marathon (see how obvious that is) and I should think about doing a triathlon. I think one issue I had is there is so much pressure from the running community to run marathons. If you are a serious runner (in a running group or not)-you run long. Each weekend you run 10 miles or more. You train for marathons once or twice a year. That's what people do. At least I feel like the majority of people I know in running groups do not train for distances of 10K or less. I think I need to work on being my own running person here!
I am thinking of the Boston Triathlon over labor day. The whole thing is really funny because I have no idea what I am doing. I don’t know what to wear and I don’t have a road bike or a triathlete bike (I have a hybrid). I don’t know how to transition or how to train. So sign me up! The distances of this are: 0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. What is annoying about the triathlon is it is not just about being fit and doing well in three sports-it is about learning about a new type of bike, how to transition, what to wear, etc. I feel like a lot more than working out goes into preparing.
For those ardent readers that have inquired, I will share “what the deal is with my cheeks.” I just have chubby cheeks. The three of four kids in my family who have hit the college years developed chubby cheeks. All the kids got them. It makes me look young. It’s the first place I gain weight-but my cheeks are chubby these days even when I am in shape. My Dad has them so I think it’s just the way I am! Also, for the record, I was NOT my school mascot. That was the lie.
Posted by Audrey at June 10, 2005 07:06 PM
Comments
Heh, heh. Chubby cheeks. :D
I was trying to think if I felt pressure for a marathon from running people. Maybe. I know that's why I started out running, to run a marathon. I think there's just pressure to do more than you are currently doing, and a marathon fits that bill for most people. But then again, running faster and faster 5K's would do that too.
It could also be that there's pressure from non-running people. If you tell a non-runner you just "PR'd a 5K with 18:24" they'll give you that dog-tilting-head puzzled look like you are from Mars. When you explain what it means, they'll ask you "Is that fast?". But tell them you ran a marathon and they are instantly impressed, regardless of the time, conditions, or whatever.
I think you definately need to be your own running person. If you want to do a triathalon then do it. Stepping out onto unfamiliar ground is good for you. Do the same races over and over and life will get boring, fast.
Then when you are a triathlete, and the long distance runners ask you why you aren't doing your marathon training, you can ask them "So all you do is run?". :D
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at June 11, 2005 08:04 AM
I think that's a great outlook Audrey, good for you!
Posted by: Nanda at June 13, 2005 09:51 AM