December 29th, 2009
An evening update to my last post. I’m feeling much better now after a major decision. Thanks to an email from Dog that said, “Girl, if you don’t like marathons, don’t run them!” and when I replied saying I felt like a wuss, she responded “You’re not a wuss. Hell. look at Loren, she’s the best runner I know and I doubt she’ll ever run a marathon. Marathoning doesn’t make you a runner, it makes you a marathoner.”
What a great sentence, “Marathoning doesn’t make you a runner, it makes you a marathoner“. I think that’s what’s been ripping me up, that I’ve been equating the two. It’s particularly difficult because all my internet running friends are marathoners. But the honest-to-god truth, no bullshit at all, is that I don’t particularly like marathon training. In fact, if I never run another 20 miler, I’d be happy. Hah! Can’t believe I just said that.
Seriously, if I was going to name the longest Long Run I actually enjoy doing, it’d be 15 or 16, 17 peak, with an average daily run of 7-10. That spells H.A.L.F. And you know what? That’s cool by me!
So here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to train for Boston with a little less mileage than I did for Philly. I had 3 peak weeks at low 80s, this time I’m going to peak at 75 tops. I’m going to average high 60s instead of mid-70s. And you know what? If I end up slower for it, then whoop-de-doop, que sera sera. After scoffing at Jim’s comment to perhaps take it easy and target a 3:30, well I may just end up there because I’m not going to bust a gut over this cycle.
I’m still not going to “run for fun”, that’s simply not in my DNA, but I will race at wherever that training puts me. If I regress a tad, so be it. Because this is going to be my last marathon. What better place to give a swan song than Boston? It might suck again, but who gives a crap, it’d just confirm what I already know…that long distance is not my deal. So here’s to having fun in whatever size package it comes in. All I really want to do is love running until I can’t do it anymore.
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That’s my girl!
Man, those minutes are going to go flying off your half time!
Thanks for the help Doggie girl, much appreciated.
Hey, why aren’t you linking your blog when you reply? Do it, people click on those links! Ditto for Blackbear, she hasn’t been doing it either. C’mon girls, get with the marketing program!
wow that’s soooo true and such great advice there
do what you love! so many people get sucked into the “holy grail of marathoning” and everything else gets pooh-pooh’d. but if halfs are what makes you want to get out there and train then go race those halfs and run for-freaking-ever!!
huh, I never thought to link to ye old blog.
Good call. I wish I could make the same one, but I’m not quite ready. I actually love the half distance, and love the 15K-10M distance even more. But the fact remains that despite five bad marathons, the one really good one sticks in my mind and keeps me trying.
But my best race ever was a half, and I’m looking forward to some good half races this year. Like you, if I end up needing to knock down the mileage to stay healthy and make progress, I may end up making the half my new distance. Although I’ve stated I have no time goals, I’d still love to break 90 in 2010 for the half.
Can I interest you in a mid-February snowshoe race to further shake things up? We’re just about equidistant from Drums, PA. I’m just saying…
Karyn, love that, “run for-freaking-ever”. Hear hear!
Julie, hah! I’m not as adventurous as that. I’m still getting used to road racing, but I hope you do it so I can hear all about it. And pictures, make Jonathan take pictures! Coolo on the Half goal, 90 in 2010 sounds fabu! I’m a little behind you, but that sounds like a great goal for 2011, I’m stealing it.
Crazy how I feel a weight has been lifted at the the thought of shorter races for the Fall. Yippee!!
There’s something in the air. I’ve been thinking I should run fewer fulls and more halves, That distance has a lot going for it – not least that you get to race more often. More bang for the training buck. I bet you feel better now, right?
I like Julie’s snowshoe race suggestion!
Wow Jim, never thought I’d hear you say that, you’re the marathon king these days! It definitely would have its perks though, that’s for sure. Yes, thank you, I feel much, much better. Too funny with the snowshoes, why not come out here and do it? I’ll be the photographer.
That is a great sentence Flo. Loren sounds like one of my training partners who is one of the best 50+ runners in the country and she doesn’t run marathons (or halves for that matter). She also loves running and racing and hopes to be doing it forever — just like you.
You’ll run well with the ’17 peak, high 60s, 7-10 daily’ plan. Plenty for a fast half, and Boston could go quite well too. Don’t say it’ll be your last though. I said my second was my last, but ran my third ten years later
Flo,
I’m happy you found some answers for yourself. It’s going to be a blast at Boston, and I’ll just have to venture east for a half so I get the chance to run with the Great Girl in Motion!
Your training from this past year and this new clarity is going to mean great things for you.
Wow. That’s big. Your tone sounds a lot more positive than in the last post, though, so I’d say it’s a good decision. And, who knows, maybe you’ll discover that you actually do enjoy this lighter version of marathon training?
That’s awesome! I’ll give ya $100 for your Boston bib. LOL
It’s like anything, you gotta find what your special talent is, (which is why I’m on my 3rd work career – whistle) Dog is smart.
Jana and I were also talking some months ago about the rush of the speed factor of shorter races and liking them so much more than a marathon.
Anyway – WOOHOO you got your new year’s resolution out of the way early! haha
Haha Flo, I’m pretty sure you’d get a lot of pictures of me face down in the snow. I don’t have any snow to practice on. I ran 3 marathons and 2 halves in ’09, and I think I got that backwards. I’m going to continue striving towards a 3:10, but only twice a year.
Hey Flo-
To continue my point on the 3:20 is that no one is making you decide right now how many more – if any – marathons you’ll run. If you want to run some after Boston, Great! If not, that’s cool too. Play it by ear. There’s no shame in stopping running them and there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from it. If it makes you feel good right now to say you are done with them after Boston, that’s fine too.
Philly is still between your ears, for sure. I’d even go as far to say that you wouldn’t be swearing off marathons if it had gone better. I could be wrong, but when you work that hard and put your heart towards something (you ran more miles than I did in your cycle) and you get kicked kicked in the balls for your efforts, it’s f-ing horrible. Horrible. It makes you question everything – your training, your guts, your mental toughness and then most of all, how stupid are you after spending all that time and getting a sub-par result. It’s okay to think like that. It’s normal.
No one said you have to run 80mpw either. Not “busting a gut” in this cycle will most likely help you have a great race in Boston.
So, to sum it up, have some fun and run – wherever that running may take you.
Zab, you are always a total sweetie, one of the highlights of Boston will be meeting you. I get everything you say and appreciate it completely. I know there’s no reason to say “never” but bottom line is I am soooo happy to think that after the four or so 20 milers I’ll have this cycle, I won’t have to do any again.
I really am not a long distance lover. I mean, I like the fact that I can run long as a matter of saying I can, but I don’t find a joy in it per se. So we’ll see, maybe if I get my Half down to a cool time in the next couple years, I’ll want to try again, but for now, I’ll be honestly relieved to be done with it after April.
i’m glad you finally have some peace with it all… you can do whatever you want. nobody is going to view you any differently because I mean Flo, you are an awesome runner! You got a BQ on your first go so even if your marathoning is truly done, you still kicked ass. There are not many forty something year old women that picked up running three years ago and do what you do so you should be proud of yourself =)
Good.
Aw, Runforlife, too sweet. Hey, did you ever go to that hockey game with the tickets you won? I still have my voucher for the basketball tickets and tried to use it for a Lakers game but of course they wouldn’t let me do that. So now I’m trying to find out which of the lesser games are worth going to. Wish we’d of won something more useful like money or a hat.
Lol yeah money would have been nice…I went to a hockey game last month but it took me a while to finally be able to go to one because they wouldn’t allow certain games for me either
I think you’ll come back to the marathon.
Zab states it better than me.
But anyone who can put in the milage you did before Philly can be a very good marathoner. Don’t sell yourself short for Boston. With your training history, and your stated plan for Boston, you could run a very impressive time. That’s why I say you’ll be back. If not, I’ll still be reading your blog, as I like your writing and your slightly twisted world view.
Good luck.
Bravo, Flo, bravo!!!
Jay, thank you for letting me know you’ll still want to read this crap even I’m not chasing marathons. That was pretty cool. :-)
[...] keep the pace pretty relaxed. So I ended up talking to myself more than usual. And we spoke about Flo. She had a bad time of it in Philly and decided to abandon the marathon, making her farewell as a [...]
Good on you. It can’t be easy but you have to do what is right for you.