Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thinking Ahead Thursday

So...I bombed the Brooklyn half [I think I took the "No Sleep til Brooklyn" stuff a little too seriously, among other things, outlined here].



And then I came home bummed.

Not because I hadn't run that race well [obviously I couldn't be upset about not running a good race when I hadn't trained for it], but because it seemed like everyone else I knew or read about in the blogging world had such an easier time running faster races than me [again - as compared to my other races, not this one].  For the record - it's not that I begrudge anyone else their fantastic success - I'm happy for them!  I just wish I had some more of my own, too.

What have I been doing wrong all this time?  [Okay, so it's not like I don't know that I should be incorporating more specific workouts like sprints and hills into my routine, but it doesn't seem like all of these other people who are speeding through their first races are doing that regimented of a routine either]  Why does it seem so much harder for me to improve?  Is running just not my thing?

And then there's the issue of weight gain.  Oh, the weight gain.  I posted two year old pictures from my first half  marathon in my Flashback Friday post and let me tell you - when I saw them [or even my marathon pics from November] side by side with my photos from the Brooklyn half?  Oof!  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I have put on some serious weight recently.

Ah, the thin old days
Save it people - the legs have CLEARLY gotten out of control
True, I've spent the past FIFTEEN MONTHS living out of a hotel for work and consequently eating take-out/restaurant food that whole time, but I would have hoped that running would have combated that.  Is running not even giving me a good enough workout to keep the pounds off?

And so for the past few blogless days I've been pondering - is running right for me?

Its been over dramatic, I know.  James asked me why I stress myself out so much about the races when they're supposed to be for fun.  And he's right.  It's just that it's frustrating to never improve at something you put so much time into.  In any event, my upcoming race schedule includes shorter races that nicely lend themselves to focusing on increasing speed and with that, hopefully will leave more time to put more time into some other exercises that might help to combat the current weight situation.  No more whining.  Just looking forward.


Upcoming races:

After a serious schooling in you reap what you sow on Saturday I decided to take on an abs class Sunday. That was tough.  A half hour of crunching?  HELP!  Monday through Wednesday were the definition of insanity at work, and I'm pretty much okay with giving myself a fully guilt-free pass when I'm at the office beyond midnight.  And today I started on what I not-so-secretly-anymore hope will be the cure to my pudged up bod: The Tracy Anderson Method Mat DVD.  I'll keep you posted on how that goes...

6 comments:

  1. Oh man don't be so hard on yourself, you did finish a half marathon which many can't do. Due to your work situations, anyone would struggle with training,eating and balance. Congrats on the race even though you may be disappointed.

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  2. OH NO! Hey I struggled right there with you. Running is FOR YOU! You can run further than 99% of the population.

    I am doing the AHA Wall St run and the Mini 10K. I have NOT run since Brooklyn and am freaking out about the AHA Wall St. Let me know if you'd like a buddy to run with you - I'd be happy to have someone to keep me going!

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    1. PS! I gained weight training for this half marathon and went thru pix to see it. You look GREAT - and I know quite a few people who have gained weight due to running. Isn't it cruel?

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  3. Don't be hard on yourself! I had a great race but that result was 9+(!) years in the making!

    I'm a "new" runner, but I'm not "off the couch". I've been an avid mtn biker/racer for 9 years, so when I started running 8 months ago - my cardio fitness was very good.

    Secondly, for the last 4.5 months I have been working specifically toward a sub-2 hour goal. I was lucky enough to work with a great coach, Darren De Rueck (he also coaches his Olympic wife Collen) via www.bouldercoaching.com. Boulder coaching has great packages for us mere mortals. For $90 a month I got a monthly plan that was monitored weekly. When I was injured Darren was still able to keep me moving forward - he knows his stuff and got me ready and capable to reach my goal.

    For me - having a plan from an expert allowed me to focus on the things I "needed" to do to reach my goal and removed all the noise/confusion of the things I "thought" I should be doing.

    Again - don't be hard on yourself. A lot of times what "seems to be true" on the internet isn't always the whole story!

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  4. okay this is a better attitude. James is right that it should be enjoyable and something to look forward to. you are still young enough to improve speed and race times, pariicularly in longer races.

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  5. I understand where you are coming from. My post-pregnancy running has been nothing like it was before, when I sometimes even placed in my age group. And then I got injured, which also never happened pre-preg. It's really hard to see others succeeding beyond their wildest dreams. Do NOT let it get to you. Do your own thing, remembering why you fell in love with running in the first place.

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