Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Winter Training & Racing

After not running for all of last week, here we are and it's December. Seven full days off of running, and I tell you what- it was just the thing I needed.  It also made me even more excited for the upcoming months of training and racing.

I get that 7 days off isn't a lot. It's a week. We have FIFTY TWO of them in a year, and I took ONE totally off. But in that one week, I got what I needed. I got more sleep than I have in a while, I spent quality time with family and friends. I caught up around the house, and little odds and ends in life. So nope, not a big deal to take 7 days without running. It's better than not taking it and needing WEEKS down the road because I didn't take it now though.

I would much rather take time off on my own terms, which allows me to recover and recharge. That is much better than NEEDING the time off for other reasons. So, I embraced the hell out of my self-imposed break.

After Boston Marathon this year, I took 4 days off of running. After Erie Marathon I took 4 days off of running as well. Besides 1-2 day stretches within training (2 days in a row off was semi-rare), those 4 day stints were the longest I took off of running since last December. I took 11 days off of running after Memphis Marathon last year, and it was so good and oh-so-necessary. Had I raced another late fall marathon this year, I would have taken at least another 10 day running hiatus.

While I have been feeling good, and even after my PR at the Philly half marathon- I knew that I was due for a break. Tina and I did some chatting about this, and I know that the break was important. In my head I said at least a week of no running, but perhaps a little more depending how I felt come Monday.

I ran on Monday night after work, with fresh legs and a renewed sense of motivation.
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What exactly is coming up? 
December plans are to get back into routine, enjoy the holidays and get ready for the new year to start with a bang for Boston training. No crazy miles or workouts, just getting myself into that aerobic monster zone that worked so well before specific training before Erie.

What is Boston training going to look like?
One of the things I accomplished on my time off last week was compiling a pretty good rough draft of my Boston training plan. After parting ways with my coach around the time of Erie, I decided that I would go through at least another marathon cycle on my own before potentially considering another coach. I'm excited to be in the drivers seat again, and I feel like I can be more successful now than when I was self-coached before. I've learned a lot, and have a much better idea of what works and doesn't work.

With that said, I would like to see some things with my training this time around. I want another gradual mileage bump, I've taken this pretty serious over the years about no drastic changes and it's kept me healthy. I also want to see consistency with "the little things" that I know can make a big difference (core work, dynamic stretching, hydration, post-run strides, hill sprints etc.). Workout wise I'm still playing around with them, but most won't be anything crazy different or new- just good solid race specific efforts. I will be updating my training logs each week over on Salty Running.

What is next for racing?
Two winters ago I did more racing than this past one. I used the local Freezeroo series as a way to motivate myself to get out regardless of conditions. Last year I didn't do it for a bunch of reasons, but kind of missed the commiseration of scheduled hard run in sub-zero temps with other locals. I never really stressed about those races, because the conditions were always different and never usually ideal- but it meant a good workout and a morning with other runners. Something to be said about low-frills races as supported workouts during training.

With that said I decided to register for the series this year. It's $65 for SIX races, which is a nice tag for supported runs. Some people pay well over $11/class for a workout so why not pay roughly ~$11 for a supported running workout? I know for a fact I won't do all 6 races (already nixed the New years day one), but I will plan on at least 4 so I can be eligible for series awards (2 years ago I took second place for women). 

Besides the series, I am also registered for two halves- both of which will most likely be workouts and not all out races. I'm glutton for punishment & going back to Lake Effect even after this years mess- but will be much better about adjusting goals and such if need be. I am also doing Syracuse Half Marathon again, but the new race date is only 2 weeks from Boston so it will likely be a marathon workout or just another long run.

So that is where I am at, and what is next. I'm really excited with life in general right now, which makes running the icing on the cake. I'm gonna have this cake and eat it too.


15 comments:

  1. I did Syracuse last year and it was a PR for me at that time. Boy was it cold!! I like the idea of doing races as workouts, but I worry (because I am competitive) that I will run them too hard. I did this last year and had to pull out of my marathon. I guess I'll have to take it as it comes.
    Looking forward to following you on your Boston journey!

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    1. Syracuse was definitely cold last year! I remember having lots of layers on! I struggle a bit with races as workouts but I find it easier to do it with the freezeroo series because the weather is usually frigid and snowy to I can accept not going all out and risk hurting myself! I don't think I would be willing to commit to a summer racing series because I would have harder time backing off if need be. What can I say, sub-zero temps and snow help me hold back.

      I'm sorry to hear you had to pull out of your marathon last year. I hope things have been going better since. Anything on your upcoming race schedule?

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  2. Good luck next year! You had such an amazing year so it'll be hard to top it. Can't wait to follow your journey and be inspired by you :)

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  3. love love love! SO glad you did it! I am in my week off too....and although we feel that guilt during, it is SOOOOOOO worth it. Your body is going to LOVE you for this! Have a wonderful week my friend, and I am very excited to see how things go for you next year!

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    1. Enjoy your honeymoon Tina!! Look forward to hearing all about it, and thanks again for the chat!!

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  4. I read this at work and am just now getting to respond.

    First, it takes a lot of guts and confidence to take a whole week off. I haven't done that like... ever... since I started running. Minus injury. I have considered it but I am scared of losing fitness, gaining weight, etc. I know none of those risks are real, but it's hard to not run and *not worry* about it happening.

    You've had a really amazing Fall of running... lots of PRs, sub-3 marathon, plus lots of fun stuff going on with life and B. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and get some running in during those cold winters. You have a LOT to be thankful and proud of going into the off season and before Boston training.

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    1. Oh those irrational fears were totally there taking time off. I won't say they weren't but after the week and starting again, I tell you what it is a very refreshing feeling once it's done!

      Thank you for always being a supporter Amy, I really appreciate it. I hope that you and Clay have a wonderful holiday season as well!!

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  5. I just took an entire week off after a half marathon, as prescribed by my coach, and I'm glad I did. I read an article somewhere that said a complete break- even as much as two weeks, really helps you do better when you return. I have heard of elite athletes doing this. A week does feel like a long time when you're used to running every day, but it's really not in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, glad to hear you are excited about self-coaching and you have your Boston plan mainly mapped out!

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    1. Didn't the week just make you feel fresh and ready with new motivation? I swear it was like magic. Hope that half beforehand went well for you!

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  6. I think we're both going to have our cake and eat it too this winter ;-)

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    1. mmmm cake. I totally agree ;) Great things ahead!

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  7. I just ran across your blog and noticed we both ran Erie (great race btw!!). Then I realized we must have friends in the same circles because I know Chris P, the pacer. Small world! Good luck on your training. I BQ'd in Erie, but then got cut. (waaaaa) So, I'm racing a local race in April to try it again!

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    1. Small world Lisa! Chris and his wife are both friends, as they are runners in the community here in Rochester! Great people! Sorry to hear that your time didn't make the cut this year for Boston, I don't think ANYONE anticipated the cutoff being as big as it was! Either way though, congrats on a BQ marathon at Erie and best of luck in future races as well!!

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    2. When I saw Rochester in a picture I thought I was on to something! Yes, Heather and Chris are great people (and great runners!!). We hung out with the in Boston this year, and Columbus too!

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