Thursday, February 25, 2010

Trying to get back into speed training

I've been doing what we call "base training" for 4 months now. Just logging lots (for me) of mileage at medium effort (around 7-8 minute pace). I decided I'd better start introducing some speed training back into my schedule since I'll probably be doing some 5-8K races soon. Most of the running books I've read indicate that it's good to have months of pure base training, and then move into a period where speed workouts are introduced. So, on Monday, I was going to do my first short tempo run in a long time. I was going to try to run 3 miles while staying around 6-6:10 minute miles.

I started off fine, and felt good. All my base training had really helped, and it felt like I could keep going for quite a long time. It's just that, once I got to a certain speed, it felt like I couldn't go any faster. This is where speed work becomes necessary because I need to teach my body to run faster.

As I neared the end of my second mile, I felt a distinct twitch in my left calf muscle. Suddenly, I had significant pain on the outside of that muscle. It caught me off guard, and I stopped to avoid doing anymore damage. Perhaps I need to ease into such fast running more gradually.

The next day, I still ran, but had to take it easy due to soreness. I took the next day off, partly because of that, and partly because I had a sore throat. I'm feeling better today on both accounts, so I'll see how well I can train today.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

I was running in my neighborhood the other day and noticed a helicopter flying around. I thought nothing of it until I heard it coming up behind me. I was wearing a red shirt, so I must have stood out like a bright flame against the black street. Suddenly, I looked up and the chopper was right over my head! I could see the pilot and passenger looking right at me -- weird. I waved and ran faster. It followed me for a while. "I'm not some runaway convict folks; I'm just some dude running down the street", I thought. Finally, it flew off and I didn't see it again. Other than that, the run was mostly uneventful, except one loose, barking dog that I hadn't vetted yet.

By vetting, I mean that I generally get a feel for which dogs are friendly and which are questionable, so that I can plan my runs accordingly. It's not that I fear harm; it's just that it can really ruin a runner's focus and enjoyment to have a growling, toothy beast coming at you.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Pulling on tights or wind pants -- throwing on layers of high tech fabrics. Daily. It's the life of a outdoor runner in Minnesota; for about 5 months at least. While it is a grind, the payoffs can be big.

Running high mileage has brought me to a new level that had escaped me for some time. During a run, it seems like I could physically go forever; yet it's the mental tedium that is difficult. The best mental trick I've found for going a long distance is to forget about how far you will be going or how far you've gone. I simply think, "I'm going to be running indefinitely, and I'm fine with that". It's like mentally settling in and being comfortable with it. This will definitely be a critical mind trick when I start creeping up toward 20 mile runs during the summer.

Friday, February 12, 2010

I have been running a lot of miles this winter. More than I expected to be, actually. I'm happy about it, of course. Regardless of snow, cold, wind, slush -- the more miles I run now, the easier the marathon will be in the fall. It's that simple. Not to mention, the high mileage has already paid off greatly, giving me a 1:31 half marathon that I would have never expected. Though, I do have to be very careful about doing too much. Overtraining is no joke and can really make you chronically lethargic. Ever so slowly getting the body used to a little more every couple of weeks is the key.

Regardless of how many miles, I think the one defining moment that makes a person a "runner" is when they have accepted that they will slip those running shoes on every time, even if they don't want to. There have been many days where I absolutely did not feel like lacing them up, but had to tell myself, "this is what I do". It becomes as normal as brushing your teeth or taking a shower.