May 8th, 2009
I took Monday off, then got back on the road Tues. Probably should have been recovery pace, but I wasn’t hurting so it wasn’t happening. I ended up with a 7-miler at 8:12, Wed was 8 at 8:03 then finally yesterday, helped by a killer dewpoint, I was better behaved with an 8.5 @8:49.
Yesterday was also my race hangover. It was nothing unexpected; that comedown you feel when a big event is over (helped by some PMS, a bit of real life crap and a day of rain) made for one big ball of boohoo. I also had a brand new set of apres-race dark thoughts that went a little something like this: “how long will I be able to keep this up?” “what if it ends soon?” “I’ll never be as fast as…” Blah blah blah.
I eventually cheered up last night when I started copying my Marathon schedule from Hudson’s book into my running calendar and after that was done, filled in the blanks for the few months preceding it. Having some type of schedule was all I needed to start dreaming and planning again.
I had originally thought I’d be doing 70mpw all summer, but some backing off to re-energize will be beneficial, so it looks like I’ll be 60 to 65 from now through June with one quality session a week. I’ll have some 55 weeks, too, due to the 4 tentative races I have planned: a 5K in 3 weeks and in June there are 3 consecutive race weeks (a 5K, 5-miler then another 5K). If it’s horribly hot, I’ll skip one or more. Then July will get me back up to 70 with marathon training beginning the first week of August.
Now, a picture of Kat and I with Bart Yasso, taken at the Expo.
Plus my ugly race photo. See the racers behind me? They were in front of me as I turned the curve on the track but I kicked my heart out to pass them. The annoying thing is I had my photo face on all through that damn kick and figured they’d already snapped the pic by the time I crossed the mat. I look like an eel.
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you and I can compete in the best race face competition.
Though I think Lolo Jones still has us beat.
http://www.earclops.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/jones-lolo-07eug.jpg
I’m totally curious about your marathon plan as I start to think about mine.
Lol, at least she’s in flight, she deserves to look like a loon.
Marathon plan is Hudson, Level 3, didn’t even have to think about it. Check it out!
I have the book, it’s my next read. I dont know about running 7 days though, I need time to put my feet up, do my hair, and eat bon bons.
You’re so girlie. ESG did the Level 2 plan and will be kicking ass next week, so you might want that one, it has 6 days/week.
I’m sorry – but eel or not, that is a very cute picture, but cute in a ‘I just kicked tail and I know it and everyone looking at this picture should know that too’. I can’t believe running that fast you are still able to cognitively remember to try and smile for the photographers. That’s great! You did awesome! Can’t wait to hear about the marathon time!
Lol, Sllygirl, I’ll smile while getting bamboo shoots up my fingernails if it’ll get me a good photo. My timing was off for this one though. :-)
Don’t EVEN talk to me about bad race photos. Here are mine from Tacoma last weekend: http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=45867&BIB=213.
What the HECK am I doing in the 4th photo? Asking for a tracheotomy? Sheesh. And as far as the post-race blues, I simply fill my schedule with a ton of marathons so I have something to look forward to
(But I suppose that contributes to my being SOOO much slower than you!)
Betsy, you are a Marathon Machine!! Can’t believe how many you do. Wow. Lol on the tracheotomy but 035 looks pretty damn cute!
I have some really great race photos, not!!! How do they always manage to catch me with the weirdest look on my face or in the fattest possible view?? Do you think they are taught that in photography school?
+1 on Christi. I just have to keep telling myself, “I really don’t look like that all the time!” Still, these photos are always good for a laugh. The post-finish ones are always the worst because I can’t think about anything except holy crap I can stop running now. So anyway, Flo, wow, they are way back there–must have been an epic kick. I had to laugh at the facial expression but I still think my Illinois Marathon pics take the cake.
Glad to see planning the new cycle got you out of the “hangover.” There’s just something magical about actually writing it down (or typing it).
“Big ball of Boohoo” – I like that. You look pretty good in civvies in photo #1, which makes up for that I-just-kicked-hard look in photo #2.
60mpw? Slacker. Actually your summer sounds more sensible than mine
Love the photos, everyone.
LOL at the picture!
What 5k are you doing in 3 weeks? You have any races on the agenda that are on the jersey side of paradise?
Nice bib placement. Love the photo. That’s what a race photo should look like. Glad you feel better after figuring out the schedule. Good idea to re-energize. The summer heat will help you feel really good about a few less miles (you’ll feel like you’re doing 70). The heat is starting here that’s why I say that. Love ya girl! Have a great weekend. JackieXOXOXOXO
Well, you know how I feel about race photos.
Today’s a photo-laden day due to the NJ Marathon photos having come out, too. Everyone, check out Doggie, Progman and Julie’s blogs. My favorite pic is on Progman’s site…Brightroom got him coming out of a porta-potty (I am SO jealous).
Progman, all the upcoming 5ks are in Philly, but the 5-miler is in Media (still PA). This is the one coming up. It’d be great if you could do it!!
Jackie, lol on the bib placement, I need to write about that in my next post, it worked great. ;-)
I like your shirt you are wearing in your picture with Bart and your friend. Looks kind of like DNA helix. Keep up the good training!
My problem with my race photos is I never look like I’m racing. More like a jog in the park.
http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=19002009S1&LastName=ECKFORD&BibNumber=2677&Mailing=22656
Love that about filling out the training planner to beat the post-race blahhs!! And cool race pics!!!
Lol, Jim, I wish I had your problem, you really do look like you’re out for a Sunday jog. Must be those calm English genes.
On photos: Healthy Kidney 10K. In NY 2006, they caught me walking.
Joe – Nice walking form, though. That other pic is priceless. Get that guy a new kidney!
Flo – It’s my 180 cadence. Little short steps. The way to get my feet up is to run faster. (Not a bad idea, come to think of it)
eel schmeel. i believe we are talking some fabulous arm pics. the cut legs are looking fine too. run girl run. you and your abs rock!!!
Great pictures! Race photos are never what I think I look like…I always imagine a calm cool face of effort and dignity, and well, let’s just say I have yet to have picture of that face on me in a race photo. Good luck!