I think I’ve come to a conclusion about my running:
I’d rather win (or at least have a shot at winning) than running fast.
Come again?
I would rather have a chance to win a race than to simply run a good time. Oh, I definitely want to run fast and I believe that running fast and winning are not mutually exclusive. But I believe I have talked myself into thinking that I might have a chance to win a smaller marathon than going fast at a notoriously speedy course.
More than that there are other variables involved, too. First there is the money and time issue, which while not huge, is something to consider. If I went to run the Steamtown Marathon I would have to drive two hours, spend two nights in a hotel and go out for my meals. Then I would have to drive home all stiff-legged and all of that other stuff, not to mention the logistics of getting to and from the race start and from the finish line back to the hotel.
I’ll save the headaches for Boston.
But if I go to Harrisburg to run, a time that might crack the top 10 at Steamtown could get me on the podium. Plus, I would get to sleep in my own bed, eat my own food and easily get to the start and finish line with just a 30-minute drive.
Better yet, I’ll also get an extra month of training, which with a baby due in August might be needed.
So Harrisburg (again) is what it will be. It changes the training strategy a bit, but not much. It means I will be in really great shape come mid-November, then I can shut it down a bit in December and gear it up for Boston in April of 2008 starting in January.
See, it’s that simple.
Here’s the week of July 9-15.
Monday – 18 miles in 2:02:22
This one was rough and nasty. The temperatures got close to 100 by the time I finished even though I started reasonably early. I should have gone earlier.
Either way, heat notwithstanding, I have a lot of work to do.
Tuesday – first run: 15 miles in 1:41:06
Second run: 3 miles
18 miles total
Did my morning run of 15 miles in 1:41:06. Got out at the same time as yesterday and did my best to stay in the shade as much as possible. That meant staying off the field away from the locusts, beetles, dragon flies and sun. Because of the heat I was definitely finished at 15 miles.
I ran an easy, easy, easy 5k with John May at night. I broke a sweat, but my heart rate didn't go too high... maybe I should get a heart rate monitor.
Wednesday – 16.2 miles in 1:50:39
5 miles in 33:39
21.2 miles
Doubled up again and it was tough because of the humidity. The temperature wasn't great -- though marginally cooler -- but it wasn't horrible. However, the humidity was as bad as it ever was.
Nevertheless, the first run was 16.2 miles in 1:50:39 and slow. With five-mile splits of 34:06; 33:42; 33:49.
The evening run, which was equally as humid, went in 33:39. Afterwards I took an ice bath.
Thursday – 16 miles in 1:42:52
I don't know how I pulled this one off, but I'll take it. After much consternation I opted to do a "knockdown" on the field instead of running hills. Actually, I just planned on doing a recovery run for as long as possible, but I felt pretty good once I got going so I gave it a shot.
splits:
1st 5: 33:02
2nd 5: 32:25
3rd 5: 30:05
Interestingly, I didn't feel any oxygen debt at all. I ran at a high 5:40 to low 6 clip during the last five and it felt comfortable and maybe even a little easy.
I guess it's fair to surmise that I should do a few more runs like this.
Friday – 15 miles in 1:38:21
I had planned to take this steady, easy, low-key and relatively short today. The plan was to recover a bit from running somewhat hard yesterday, but once I got out there I found a groove and stayed in it. The pace was easy, steady and effortless, which I credit to another perfect summer day weather-wise.
splits:
1st 5: 32:42
2nd 5: 32:55
3rd 5: 32:44
I'm starting to show signs of getting into shape. We'll see what happens as the summer progresses.
Saturday – 13 miles in 1:27:28
This was one of those put-your-head-down-grit-your-teeth-and-grind-it-out runs. I have no idea how I got this one down, but I did. Afterwards I was as tired and spent as after any 20-miler, which I will chalk up to a long and hard week of training. In that regard, it was a good tired. Maybe I earned the right to feel a little spent.
Nevertheless, an easy run comes tomorrow where I can coast and relax. Then I dive back in on Monday.
splits:
1st 5: 33:32.29
2nd 5: 33:32.96
Sunday – 5 miles in 32:46
I always look forward to these easy, laidback Sunday run where I just go out to spin the wheels. This time, though, my stomach was a bit upset and instead of running 6 miles I just did 5.
A tough 106.2 miles for the week… I felt it toward the end of the week, but it felt good.