I need to come up with a training plan for the remainder of this year/early next year. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do in the spring, but I need to determine what, if any, races I should do between now and then.
I had a slam dunk spring, but my fall season can be summed up as a disappointment. I raced a lot in the spring, but each race was usually better than the last, so I tend to think racing often when I am in shape works for me. On the other hand my autumn has fizzled. Due to tendonitis I never raced the track 5k, I lost some valuable training time and my half marathon was about 60 seconds off what I think I was capable of running. I suppose the positive thing I need to remember is that I was able to rally for the Philly Distance Run, run a smart race there and PR in the process.
I am heading to Germany in a month for about a week and I will no doubt have training issues while there (as I had while in Spain)*. Aside from that I shouldn’t have any major distractions between now and March. I’ve missed the cutoff for the Philly Half Marathon while the Half Marathon Champs (early next year) has been filled for quite some time. The Veteran’s Day 10k is about 6 weeks away and I could be in good shape by then. The weather on Hain’s Point in November can always be tricky though. The other race I know I will certainly run is the USATFXC Champs in Lexington, Kentucky. This will be a fun event, but not a race I am gearing specifically for. The Philly 8k (part of the marathon/half marathon and a week after Vets Day) is a very fast race, but it seems a lot of effort to get a hotel for the night by myself for an 8k. Of all my 13.1 and below PRs, the 8k is the most out of whack so it would be nice to take that time down and perhaps sneak under 25.
I seek the counsel of loyal RED FOX readers as to what my next phase should consist of. Should I rally for a late fall peak? Train, train, train on through to March? Race suggestions and ideas are much appreciated and welcomed. Sometimes it helps to think out of the box.
I do however have a good idea on what I want to do from March through the fall…
On April 5th I will run Cherry Blossom. Leading up to the 10 miler I will likely run the National Half Marathon and hopefully a 5k or two…certainly the Shamrock 5k in Baltimore. I assume I’ll run Broad Street a month after Cherry Blossom in May. That would be three 10 or 13 mile races over three months. I’ll then head into a period of recovery, followed by base training and then take a crack at the marathon (probably Marine Corps, possibly Chicago if we get some guys to go) next fall.
*Traveling and seeing/doing new things is certainly fun, but I absolutely hate it when it affects my training. I suppose this is the equivalent of a drug? I get very disappointed in myself when I can’t run. I suppose a bit of rest is always a good thing, but I just came off of an injury where I had a good stretch of rest.
6 comments:
You've raced a ton this year....averaging a race every 2.5 weeks before PDR. While that's a strong showing, I've got to think it's not sustainable, mentally or physically (though with you it seems to be the latter). Even though you ran a huge 13.1 PR in Philly, I know you were disappointed, but I also think there's a slight chance you're over-raced.
I'd heal up, maybe take on something in November as a rust buster, race club XCs, and get ready for something fast in the spring. I'd spend some time *training*, especially if you're thinking about a fall marathon. If you put in a real base after your stuff in Europe for work, even just 8-12 weeks, you could come out on the other side a total monster and ready to kill it over 26.2 miles by the time it rolls around.
If I have to speak in the Red Fox language of military metaphors...
You can stand down, and then attack, but once in a while it may do some good to climb out of the fox hole, regroup in the barracks, and figure out where the next battle is.
That's my $.02.
I think that is a good 2 cents thanks PR!
I think that if you were to step back and actually consider all that you've accomplished this year, and over the past few years, you'd really go "wow, I'm pretty sweet."
That said, there's no doubt you have the ability to improve more, and understanding your motivation is to know that you will continue to run your hardest until your legs fall off.
However (however), there are other things you're meant to experience besides running. You get to go to Germany for work. Germany! And you're in Spain right now or whatever. I know people who have never been to New York, and you're getting that passport stamped like whoa.
Running isn't part of who you are, it is who you are - and I don't expect you'd ever lose that. But while you're in these places, let yourself enjoy the experience without fear of losing something by not running/getting the workout in that you "need" to do.
Additionally, we all get into our routines of races we like to do, races we expect or know to be our best chance at running fast - but maybe you should start looking into traveling to some other big races around, outside our Mid Atlantic Corridor. We've always discussed going out to Carlsbad, or the fact that we go to Miami Half Marathon - not for the race as much as the party weekend in Miami.
So those are my thoughts, I think after a goal race it's a great time to reevaluate and chill out for a minute, and then start back up when you're ready.
Also, I believe Ben and Brennan at least are planning on Chicago for next year, which means I'll probably go as well to watch, so you've got a crew if you want to go do that one.
Thanks. You are 100% correct. I definitely have raced too much. I thought about ALL this while crushing a 10 miler this morning (like a heroin addict getting a long needle after a week without drugs). My legs are well rested and I am ready to begin some training again and ready for weekly maintenance workouts. I'll run Vets Day and the USATFXC 10k but I won't be training for either of them. Base training begins again in earnest on Monday.
McGrath and PR said it well. And I like Ryan's idea of Miami. Silent Shannon and PILJAR are in quiet talks about running Miami in January...sure would be nice if we had some extra wheels and knowing that McGrath and crew will be there....I think that's a slam dunk.
- JARRIN
Oh, and when McGrath and crew go somewhere, it's go big or go home.
Colony Hotel on Ocean Blvd, $210 per night. Not bad considering the Pro Bowl is in town that weekend. We get there Friday morning, hit the beach then go out HARD on Friday night. Saturday chill out, Sunday race is at 6:15 and by 10:00 we have drinks in hand. Fly back Monday.
We have 12 people going so far so you know it's gonna be a pretty gangster party.
Not to mention, Ben got like 4th or 5th last year with a 1:16.
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