*knock on wood* things have been going fairly well. You've probably noticed that I haven't complained about lower leg pain in recent posts; the lingering discomfort from my stress fractures have been feeling pretty good!
I have a new heart rate monitor. Accurate numbers! Yay! I went to the gym for a treadmill run last night, ran with the speed guidelines that I got from my LT test, and HR stayed perfectly in the proper zone... so cool.
Back in the fall, I signed up for the Around the Bay 30k. I had registered for this race last year, missed it because of a hip flexor injury from my first and only HM. This race sells out fast, so I got my bib early, as did most of my running group. I also missed a 30k race in the summer due to pain in my shin, which I found out the week following that I had 2 tibia stress fractures; opted to run the 15k instead (obviously before knowing it was stress fractures.)
It's now 8 weeks before my third attempt at a 30k race. To me, this distance is a milestone, and a landmark. By that, I mean that it's a pretty good middle point between a HM and a full. When I completed my HM I was relieved, elated and proud... but to say, ok, turn around and run that distance again... rough. I have the utmost respect for the distance and you marathoners out there; I think that the 30k distance will help my mind prepare for the distance, and help me decide if I would want to tackle a marathon.
I hit 18k this past weekend, comfortably. Mileage-wise, I've been on target with the training plan... I'm thinking of going with a game-time decision; continue my training, and see how it goes. If I decide to run it, it certainly won't be a fast race as I've been concentrating more on low HR training and slower paces, and will be more like a training run. To race fast, I believe that you have to train fast -- not what I've been doing, so not my goal. But it would still be a PR no matter what. What would you do? Do you think that I have enough time to properly train and hit the distance without risking injury?
Stay tuned... I may have a little contest/give-away idea in mind. Waiting on a bit more info.
Will you be running 5k sometime this weekend? If so, why not dedicate it to Non-Runner Nancy. She's gotten some bad news recently, will require surgery, and may need to find something to replace her passion for running. USJogger is holding a virtual Freakishly Flexible 5k in Nancy's honor... go on over there to sign up! Let's show her the love and support that is so apparent in this blogosphere.
25 comments:
well it sounds like you are on the right path!!! i say just continue doing your training and see how you are feeling as it gets really close and go fot it!!! third times a charm right :)
You are training smartly. I really believe in your approach. Staying fit, but also injury free, is the most important thing you can do if you want to keep running. I agree with Aron. See how you feel as the race approaches and decide then how hard you want to push yourself. But you shouldnt feel any pressure that you have to run hard.
What would I do?
I'd crack open a beer and drink it.
Well ... you asked.
BTW, that's my answer to all "what would you do?" questions, including: "You just vomited from drinking too much beer - NOW what would you ..." etc.
I'd crack open a beer and drink it.
Because that always makes me smile, sistre.
Or, as you allegedly say in Canada, "That always makes me skilometre, sistre."
I'm a new enough runner that I didn't even know there was such thing as a 30k race! What a great idea to have a step in between the HM and the full. While it wouldn't be possible for me to train up to the distance that fast in your situation - I think there's a lot to be said for your experience and your new awareness of your strength coming off your injuries. I can't see that it would hurt for you to try - as long as you were willing to really listen to your body along the way and stop if need be (even if that meant missing the race at the last minute.) Will be interested to read what other runners think!
I say go and enjoy the distance. Make it a distance/finish goal and worry about the speed later. Besides, you'll be able to easily PR the next time. No reason to risk injury, I say.
Dont ask me whether to run it or not I always go for the path of most restitance. I think if you keep up the training you will be able to finish it, long has you dont go out too fast. I see a marathon in your future.
Sounds to me like you are definitely on the right path for a 30k in 8 weeks if you just did 18k. Your game-time decision sounds like a good plan. Yay for the new HR monitor!
Sounds like a great plan. Injury free is the way to be!
Thanks for the Freakishly Flexible 5K heads up.
Things sound good! Glad you haven't been having lower leg pain.
Thanks for the link to the virtual 5k.
It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Great job and do it smart--Injury free is the way to be.
I think you're on the right track with seeing how your training goes. And if you do the race, using it as more of a training run and taking a slower pace. Whatever it takes to keep you injury free and running!
Thanks for joining the FFFK. Good luck on your 30K. It's only 6 times as far!
Oh, and get your but over to the VRAA and post your mileage, girl. You're falling behind.
I'd definitely keep training and give it a go if you are feeling healthy and injury free. I agree with treating it more as a training run than a race.
Keep up working on keeping yourself from injury... it sounds like you're making smart choices in your training. Keep up with that! And I have to agree with one of the above comments (which made me laugh)... crack open a beer and drink it!
Injury free is the consensus, a hint of pain, and stop. It sounds like you're on the right track and have not set some unrealistic goals or anything - go for it and be smart!
8 weeks seems a fair amount of time to build speed, dont OVER do it, a little goes alonnnng way, 30k here you come!
Good luck on the 30k and more importantly on staying healthy. Don't increase your milage and add speed at the same time, particularly if you're getting over an injury. rock it!
i think it would still be fun to run the race as a training run! (hard for me to make myself do, but it can be done.) it would still be quite the accomplishment to have ran a race that far, and then since you took it easy this time, next time around you'll have a huge pr ;-)
play it by ear. if you feel good and are training the right distance when the race gets closer, go for it! if not, no worries.
as for what would I do? I would probaby injure myself. definately don't want to follow my lead. LOL
That's great! I registered for the Around the Bay 30k way back in November, but injuries kept me on the sidelines for all of December and half of January. Now I am trying my best to prepare for this race, with my goal being to simply finish, and I don't care how fast. I hope your body continues to cooperate and lets you run this race!
That 30k is YOURS! Good luck!
Thanks so much for your support. I am so humbled by all the mentions. The bloggers are such wonderful people.
Touched,
Nancy
I would say go for the 30K if your training leading up continues to feel good. I think completing it will be the milestone and make you feel that you achieved your goal. if you have to walk a little during the race so be it. Thank you for your kind words regarding my Dad. :-)
Sry late on this post..
Anytime someone stops telling us about their pains is always a good thing- each one of us are close to having an injury - and they suck!
After your good 21K run yesterday, 30 K seems so close. I wish we had a 30K in my area -would be a good trial before a full marathon.
I'll be running FFFK!
You definitely seem to be well positioned to run the 30K at the end of next month, especially after your long run this past weekend. (I have an advantage here, since I'm reading this so much later. lol)
As long as you stick to your training plan, I think this is definitely in the cards for you.
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