Sorry I’ve been so quiet this weekend. Normally I catch up on blogging and spend at least an hour each day during the weekend with posts. But, yesterday was far busier than I expected. After all, I ran my second half marathon in 7 days!
Surprise!
Gia and I ready for 13.1 miles of fun!
After last week’s rough race experience, which I analyzed and explained in this week’s Friday Face Time, I really felt I needed some type of redemption and time for reflection. I left last Saturday’s race loathing running, lacking confidence, and very discouraged. After seeing my tweets on Saturday, one of my New York City running buddies, Rebecca, suggested I run the 13.1 New York Half Marathon yesterday for redemption.
Such a great idea Rebecca!
While I wasn’t sure whether my body was ready for another 13.1 miles, I knew that I needed to do it mentally and emotionally. On Friday, Gia decided to sign up for the race so she could run with me and analyze my running further for our coaching.
Leading up to the race, I did everything right. I spent the week recovering, enjoying plenty of sleep and Hunger Games relaxation, ate clean, and hydrated. Friday night, Bo and I cooked dinner in together since he had his first triathlon yesterday and I was excited for some quality carb loading before the half. We kept the ingredients simple to help deter any stomach issues. Dinner consisted of fresh made pasta, tomato and basil sauce, topped with sauteed scallops and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
I was in bed by 9, ready for 7 hours of rest before my 6:45 alarm. Gia generously offered to drive Rebecca and I out to Queens so we wouldn’t have to battle with public transportation. The three of us were stretching and enjoying the pre-race festivities by 8:30. This left us plenty of time to use the restrooms, discuss a post race strategy, and enjoy the amazing weather. It was sunny with a light breeze and about 60 degrees when the race began. Gia and I didn’t really discuss our strategy at length other than that I wanted to enjoy the race more than the week before and a PR would be amazing if the stars aligned.
I’ll rid you of the curiosity right now and let you know that I didn’t PR.
But, during the next two hours or so, I learned a lot about myself and my thoughts on running.
- Running allows you to learn something new about your body each day. One day you may realize that your hamstrings are tight while another day may lead you to realize you don’t breathe properly.
- I need to focus on my sweetspot. Gia and I realized yesterday that my body isn’t ready to jump my 10k pace to the half marathon distance. When I try and do this I last for 7 miles before bonking. Therefore, it’s important to focus on what we believe is my sweet spot for the half marathon distance, 10 min/mile pace, for the next few weeks of long runs. This would allow me to run at least a 2:11 half marathon, which would be a PR*. (* means I’ll explain this further down the list)
- I need to focus on breathing and feeling the pace. Yesterday, during our first 6 miles, I ran sans headphones and focused on breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. While we started out far faster than our 9:57 goal pace, it was a new and unique experience. Therefore, I’m going to try and “unplug” for at least a few miles of each long run so I can focus on breathing just like I do during a yoga class.
- My form needs some work. I was never trained formally in running and therefore have never had my gait evaluated extensively. I should probably take advantage of the tools Finish Line Phyiscal Therapy has and also Gia’s knowledge of gait to improve this over the next few months. Yesterday she realized that I have a short stride and therefore this is something we’ll work on in the future during runs together.
- I am using last year’s National Half marathon as my PR time. This was my best half marathon time in the past four years. Before that, my first half marathon was a 2:07:30. But, I wasn’t healthy at that point in my life. I was battling a mix of depression and exercise anorexia. I was 124 pounds and not in a good place. I don’t want to push myself to beat that PR that was achieved at an unhealthy time in my life. While I do believe that I can exceed that sooner or later, I don’t want to give myself credit for things that happened during that point. This is a personal decision for me and since I’m not out to win races or qualify for the Olympics, I don’t think any officials will argue with me anytime soon.
- Get out of my head. Running is very mental and a negative mindset can easily wreck a run or race. Both yesterday and last week, as soon as my pace started to dwindle, my mind and heartrate began to race. I thought about disappointing readers, Bo, Gia, and others who were tracking me. I thought about failure. These negative thoughts made pushing through the pain of last week’s stomach issues and yesterday’s sore quads even harder. This is when putting headphones in can help. I love Rebecca’s suggestion of listening to an audio book, even during a half marathon. Heck, she PR’d yesterday listening to The Hunger Games. I guess we know that Katniss can be an awesome inspiration.
- Setting limits is important. It’s easy to sign up for races on a whim because other people are doing them or because I am allowed a great opportunity. While this is fine, I need to set limits on how many I’ll try to PR. If I try to PR every single running event I do then there is a risk of over-training, burnout, and disappointment. For example, if I happen to sign up for any more half marathons over the next few months, they’ll be treated as marathon training runs, versus PR attempts. I’m burnt out on the half marathon distance right now, even though it’s normally my favorite distance. Heck, yesterday was my 14th half marathon! Right now my next goal is to PR during the NYRR Mini 10k! Last year I set a new PR during this race and had a blast with lots of my favorite running ladies.
- The blogger in me needs to stop showing up during long runs. Yesterday, I finally admitted to Gia that I think taking photos during long runs has affected my training for over a year. I’m constantly in awe of the gorgeous scenery I am able to enjoy during my runs. But, my average photo is taken during rest, not movement. Therefore, I’m not truly running for 8, 10, or 12 miles straight. This isn’t beneficial during a half or full marathon. Therefore, you can expect a reduction in pictures on long run days but an improvement in my training. I’m sure some of you are laughing that it took me this long to admit this but we all learn things in at our own pace.
What are your thoughts on running? Any lessons you learned the hard way?
So sorry that you didn’t PR, but I’m glad to hear how much you learned from it! My racing philosophy is that different races are for different things – some are for taking fun pictures (Disney), some are for meeting new friends, and only a few are for running fast and trying for a PR. I’m glad that you had fun yesterday even if it wasn’t the latter kind of race! 🙂
I love this post! So much of this is true for me as well. Also, I’m running the Mini too – so excited for it!
Wonderful Reflections. So glad you got to run another and learn so many great things. I have to ask about the exercise anorexia. I am a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and it would be such an honor to hear from someone who is in recovery but continued to run and even blog about and then create a lifestyle around health and fitness. How are you not triggered every day?
I wanted to echo this a little bit and say that I’m very surprised that you ever had these issues, because it seems like you have a pretty healthy mindset about exercise and moderation these days. Have you blogged about this before? I would love to read it if you can point me in the right direction!
Sorry you didn’t get a PR but running two half-marathons in a week’s time is still something to be proud of!
Paige, I haven’t spoken much about that time in my life other than briefly in my have I always been a runner (look at my about me page for the link). However, I’m going to try and put together a post about that time in my life soon.
Tracy, I haven’t spoken much about that time in my life other than briefly in my have I always been a runner (look at my about me page for the link). However, I’m going to try and put together a post about that time in my life soon.
Congrats on a great race (even though you did not PR!)!! A good race to me is one where you walk away satisfied with your performance. I agree with you 100% about not counting your previous PR as your PR…Now that I’m pregnant, I’m resorting to what another mom referred to as her PPR (pregnancy PR’s!!)…
Looking forward to the Mink 10k in June! YAY!
Wonderful post! It’s so true that we have to treat each race individually. If not, we would set ourselves up for failure for each race.
I agree about running without music. I’ve stopped listening to anything and it’s helped with focusing on breath control as well as mentally. I’m more tuned in.
You are learning SO much, which is awesome! That pr will come in due time.
Such a great post and it sounds like you learned a lot in those 2 hours! I am not a running expert by any means but have you tried giving yourself some brief walking breaks during the race (and training)? I actually managed to drop my time by over 10 minutes and allowed for about 30 second breaks every few miles. I always thought you had to be running the whole time (not sure why) but walking gave me just enough energy to pick up my pace again!
I want to thank you for your honest discussion about how you felt about not PRing and the lessons you learned. Today I went out to attempt a PR in the half marathon and it did not happen. I got sick in the last four miles and I was so upset/discouraged leading to tears but your thoughts and advice helped me get through this and prepare me to make changes. I appreciate the words you wrote and I know you will eventually reach your goal (and I will too!). Thank you again!!
Great job getting out there again!!
I didn’t PR in my 10K this weekend — and while I initially set out to do so, I realized at the start that I just didn’t want to and that was quite OK! I’ve felt quite burned out since I ran my last half and my heart hasn’t been in it. What I did do was enjoy my run and feel the high of running with so many other people who love the sport. So, long story short, I’m right there with you on setting limits. They are SO necessary.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your honest, thoughtful posts. I’m learning a tremendous amount reading blogs like yours.
I had a difficult run today (which I wrote about if you’re interested in checking out the link at the bottom of this comment). I’m a new runner and continually have to remind myself that I’m doing things I couldn’t do before and that it’s a learning process. 😀
Your latest posts have struck a chord with me…I trained my ass off for the NYC Half, but then got injured and had to have 4 weeks off before the race with my longest run in that period being 7 miles the Wednesday before. I finished the run 11 minutes behind my PR and my last half and I found it tough.
I have beating myself up about about being so slow in the race and letting myself, my 3 blog readers (lol), my Dad, my club, and everyone I had told about this race, down. I beginning losing sight of the reasons why I fly thousands of miles across the Atlantic to be in NYC, why I was at that start line and what running actually means to me. I was also losing sight of how wonderful it was to be part of the experience all together.
The thing is, both you and I ran 13.1 miles that weekend – you went and ran the same distance the week after! This in itself is something to be celebrated. I, like you, have some lessons to learn and like you I am thinking long and hard about my training and my strategy. Running is more complex than I ever thought it could be. I am pleased to read those reflections and I look forward to following your progress as you put them into practise.
Finally, well done on going for it again. This comment is a bit rambley but in short I just wanted to let you know that I empathise and understand how you feel AND I am sending cheers and support from the UK!
I definitely have had a love-hate relationship with running. There are days that I cannot think of anything other than lacing up my shoes and running without checking my clock, while other days I don’t want to even think about running. After the different health issues I’ve experienced over the past few years, I’ve learned to really listen to my body, not my mind, and let it do what it needs to do… Some days I may run fast, some days I may run slow. But regardless, I still ran.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I want to tell you that I LOVE how honest you are about running, goals and training. Many blogs make running look so easy. PR’s are always around the corner, no injuries, no pain, etc. making me feel bad for my times, pace, distance. For me it is a struggle and I also find myself constantly learning both about running and life. I had to hire a running coach because I am recovering from an injury and the truth is he knows how to make up for lost training time -I don’t-
That is what I love most about running: even though you are getting better, challenging and pushing yourself harder it always makes you stay humble.
You’ll get your PR I am sure you will 😀
You’re very brave for attempting two half marathons in a week’s time. Go you!
Ironically, I had the opposite revelation about being a blogger and running as you. I never took a camera with me at first but after seeing how many people would take pictures on their runs, I wanted to do that and share my sights, so I started running with a camera. However, since my only decent camera was a real one – not something attached to my ipod, I decided that only once a week, on a nice easy morning run I’d bring the camera. Maybe you can try that? And then just plan for that run to be a nice scenic one so you can snap some good photos…a few good photos can last a long way. Just an idea…
Either way, a PR is in your future for sure. Just keep at it!
Amanda I love that idea about taking pictures on one run a week, which could be my shakeout run after my long run. Thanks!
This is a great post. I love how honest you are about the good and bad aspects of running. I’m very injury-prone so it can be hard for me to get a good routine going. Aaaand I just realized I haven’t set a PR since the National Half a year ago. Not cool.
You’ll definitely get that PR soon enough, and I love that you ran a redemption half this past weekend. Some days are good running days, some are bad. I just always hope the good ones outweigh the bad – and it looks like this one did!
Great post – I think about all of the same things in relation to my own running. YOu just said it all so perfectly. Congrats for running two in a week, that’s awesome. And here I was worried that I have two HM’s in the month of May. Now I know I’ll be fine….
Great reflections! I think that, right there, is the beauty of running for me – that you can have pretty great thinking time while out on a run. I know that a lot of people talk about how awesome running buddies are, however I love the solitude that I can find while running.
There are many reasons why I am reluctant to put myself “all out there” on the blog that I have, but to be so public about either PR-ing or not would be very hard on my psyche. I definitely like the running blogs/healthy living blogs that I read, but I would hate to make blogging about it such a big part of my life. (I hope that I don’t sound like a jerk saying that)
What I mean – I run for myself. I rarely even talk about running and the other events that I’m doing with people at work because it’s something that taps into a vulnerable part of myself that is hard to make public.
One final thought – you talked about using headphones to build mental strength. Do you think that plan might backfire when you enter a race that doesn’t allow headphones?
Kristina it’s funny that you mention that as I’ve yet to run a single race that doesn’t allow headphones. 🙂
Interesting – I know that they are banned during tris which must have been what I was thinking! I don’t focus on people with or without headphones during running races.
At any rate, two half-marathons in two weeks is pretty awesome.
You could have gone down two paths after your half marathon in DC — the “I hate running” path, or the “I’ll show running who’s boss” path. Looks like you chose the latter! 🙂 I think your goal of shooting for your “current” PR is very respectable, by the way.
Thanks Liz for your support! 🙂