Posts Tagged ‘resolutions’
“New Years Resolutioners”
My marathon has consumed me. With such a short time to go all the details are swirling through my head. Of course, the biggest concern is if I will be able to finish under my goal time. I have no doubt I will finish, but since I have never done a race before I don’t know if I’ve trained hard enough, long enough, or under the right conditions. I don’t want to hit the wall and be forced to walk.
Today I did a lot of reading about Hal Higdon’s plan in an attempt to ease my worries. What I found were really mixed reviews. A number of runners praised Higdon for the high number of pace runs followed by long runs. Others called Higdon’s plan simplistic, saying it was basically the same thing each week except with a few additional miles. My biggest concern with Higdon since the beginning has been what seems like a relatively few number of miles. I’m probably only averaging about eight miles more a week than I was when I wasn’t training. I have increased my daily mileage on a number of occasions because I just felt like I had a lot more in me. Because of the increased pressure I’m feeling now as the marathon looms around the corner, I’ve decided to step up my mileage for the next week and a half. According to Higdon, my week is supposed to go like this: Monday: Cross Train, Tuesday: 5 miles, Wednesday: 8 miles, Thursday: 5 miles, Friday: REST, Saturday: 8 mile PR, Sunday: 20 miles. Instead, I plan to do 18 tomorrow, 8 Wednesday, 8 Thursday, rest Friday, 8 Saturday, and 21 Sunday.
I realize this may be overdoing it, but since this is all new to me I feel like I’m just going to experiment a bit to see what works.
One other thought: “New Year’s Resolutioners.” I’m genuinely pleased to see so many new faces at the gym. Since January first, the local rec center in town where I train has been busting at the seams. It’s inspiring to see people of all sizes, shapes, and athletic ability pledging to become healthy in the new year.
The one drawback is I’ve had to rearrange my running schedule to accommodate the large crowds. I have problems running on the indoor track because of the pin in my foot. When I turn corners and when I have to stop suddenly (for example if there is a walker in front of me who I can’t quickly pass) the pin sends a sharp pain through my foot, up my ankle and into my leg. It’s enough to sometimes make me lose my balance. In addition, the pain lingers for awhile, making it nearly impossible to get in a long run after this happens. For this reason, I try to do most of my runs on the treadmill. Because of the crowds though, I’ve had trouble getting access to equipment. Since I anchor in the mornings my work day is supposed to end by three. My goal until training is over is to be out of work by three and at the gym by 3:30. I am hoping this way I can get in my runs before the large crowds arrive around 6.
….And to all of you who made fitness a part of your New Year’s resolution, KUDOS to you and best of luck!
