I'm currently debating the wisdom of a decision I made a couple of months ago. I'm running a race this Sunday. Just four weeks after my marathon. And I don't really know how I'm planning to attack it.
Not sure what possessed me. Possibly I was high on something at the time. Like post-run endorphins. And they must have been pretty strong that day because my personal history has said that I take quite a long time to recover from marathons. I usually remember relevant personal history like that in plenty of time to prevent myself from doing spontaneous, injudicious stuff like that.
I think my rationale at the time was that it's peak race season in my part of the world and it'd be a pity to miss out on one in my back yard. And a bigger pity to miss out on one where a lot of my friends are running. And the race singlet's kind of nice. And I don't actually have to race it. And it's only 10k so that should be simple after a marathon - right?
I didn't factor into my decision-making at the time that I might have just been getting over a cold. And that the day before I'll be running my first significant long slow run since Gold Coast. But, hey, let's just pretend that I'm a person who thrives on challenges.
And while I'm pretending that I'm a person who thrives on challenges, I'll also pretend that I'm a person who loves hills. While it's not exactly a mountainous route, it's not exactly a flat one either. But I'm not complaining because, for the next couple of days only, I AM a hill-lover.
I think that my current doubts about this event lie in something that I did the other day. I looked up previous race results. And the age group places for 'mature but not old yet' ladies (ie 50-59 y.o.) lie in my range. When I'm running well. Maybe not a month out from a marathon and when I have had a cold. But on the other hand, maybe ...
Sometimes I think I'm too competitive.
Sometimes I think that I think too much.
On Tuesday after speed I would have said that I was just going to take it easy and enjoy the event without pushing myself into the imminent puke zone. I struggled on my fourth 1600m rep and finished the session early. But on Wednesday I did an 11k tempo run with some fast bodies and finished up with a 4:58 average pace. And that flamed those little embers of competitiveness.
Sure, there's no guarantee of a place even if I do run well. I have no idea who's running this event and there are some seriously fast 'mature but not old yet' ladies in Brisbane. Plus we all know that anything can happen on race day - and by that I mean unplanned toilet stops or accidents or toilet accidents. But there's a little part of me that wants to give it a shot.
Sometimes I'm really grateful that I have this blog because writing this post has actually helped give me clarity. I will just show up on Sunday and run how I feel. Like I've done with every other race that I've run this year. If I feel good I will push the pace and if I don't I'll just relax and enjoy the event.
Decision made.
Good luck with what you decide!! I'd put off the long slow run to the following weekend if it works in your training schedule to leave your legs fresh for the 10km + an extra day's rest can only help in getting over your cold!!
ReplyDeleteCome on most of my friends are running races the week after a marathon or ultra (90km)...
ReplyDeleteThen I aways say stick to short reps after a marathon, miles are long and will do you no do when running them slowly, rather look at 400's to get the legs running at the right pace again.
So line up for the 10 and take it like a training run... So that means set out with a group of people and set about dropping them one by one as the km tick by!
Good Luck
A 10K should be a walk in the park for you! However you decide to tackle it, I hope you have a great time doing it!
ReplyDeleteBlogs are good at sorting things out aren't they? You just gave yourself a good talking to and came up with the only sensible decision. I'm sure you'll be fine and once you get the wind in your sails you'll feel that competitive streak and go for it :)
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about? You feel good and you are motivated enough. Consequently, you can run that race, considerng that, as you mentioned, it is only 10k. You may plan to cross the finish line after 50 minutes or 52 minutes. You can chose the average pace. I hope you'll have a great time this Sunday! Please, let's read your race report. I'm curious! Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll surprise yourself and really rock this race. All that endurance under your belt is gonna pay off. My half PR was run 6 days after a marathon. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow, you will be fine. Just enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAm glad the blog helped with your clarity and of course I know the result and know you aced your age group cos I'm so bloody far behind. With everything!
ReplyDeleteI actually find writing in my blog (not the book review posts, but the others) often help me as well, though I usually go off on a tangent and end up writing about something completely different to my initial idea!
It is such a good idea, I hope by the time you read this you had lots of fun and a good run. I once ran a marathon and then backed it up with all sorts of physically challenging goodies and other runs (bungy jumping anyone). Achieving a long run goal gave me a sense of euphoria and drive...probably time for another...x
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of run how you feel. I've had some of my biggest PRs that way. Hope the race went well for you!
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