The end of a training period is always a bittersweet time. There is that sense of relief of reaching the race intact and without too much wear and tear. In most cases, when I blocked out some time to train properly, the last two weeks before the race are relaxing for everything but my mind.
The head games are where the stress is. Did I train enough? Did I do the proper workouts? What about the weather? Do I have the right clothes to wear? Should I be a little more aggressive during the first half?
And of course, can I do this?
Other than that, taper time is a vacation. A working, productive vacation.
At the same time, the day after the race I always get that hollow feeling of, “OK, now what?”
“Now what” is tricky. A lot of what the next race or goal should be depends on what happens in the race, which is the position I’m in. I know what I want to do if I exceed my goal time and standing in the race – you know, the best-case scenario.
But then the worst-case scenario is always out there. That’s the part I’m not thinking about right now. Oh sure, if things just blow up and go straight to hell, there are a few races I could jump in over the following weeks, but that’s kind of extreme.
If it turns out that I’m just not very good, we have to reevaluate all of this.
So that’s where we are after Thursday’s 10-miler in 64:43. Call it cautious confidence.
Nevertheless, if there is some relief it’s from the compliments and the good wishes from the folks at the office. There’s nothing like a little ego stroking to make a person feel better about themselves.
Running (NYC) nugget
* Lance Armstrong has his rabbits. Now let’s see him go to work.
* Apparently, the marathon isn’t for plodders any more.
* I only run with my iPod when I don’t need to focus or concentrate. However, some people use that kind of stuff all the time.