It occurred to me the other day that this training cycle is a lot different from other times I’ve trained. Typically, I have a good sense of how I’ll feel during a run beforehand. There’ll be a noticeable progression in my training. I’ll eventually get into a groove where I feel really ready–perfectly trained and prepared for a race. This time around? It’s not happening, folks. I never know how I’ll feel and can’t predict when I’ll have crazy pain vs. an amazingly loose, relaxed run. It’s a little disconcerting since the whole point of training is to feel prepared, and I feel anything but. Still, I know logging all these miles has to be doing something, right?
Positive self-talk. It’s a thing.
It’s also time I thought about what I want that something to be. I’m hesitant to set a definite goal for this race since it’s the first thing I’ve trained for since the marathon that wasn’t, and I still don’t feel like my hip/hamstring are operating at full capacity. Still, I think I’m one of those people who always has a PR in the back of her mind–who doesn’t, right?–and would love to show myself that this training has done something for me. More realistically, I know a PR probably wouldn’t even be smart to shoot for given my injury. Instead, I have a more conservative time in mind that’s slightly slower (but still plenty fast for me) than my PR. And no, I’m not going to tell you because I’m too big of a wimp to put it in writing and have to face failure if I don’t meet it. (<–REAL TALK)
Anyway.
I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath for this week’s training update, so let’s get to it, shall we?
Half Marathon #7 Training–Week 5
Monday: 4 miles @8:11
Tuesday: 4 miles @8:59, full body strength training
Wednesday: 7 miles w/5 miles of tempo
This run was particularly crappy. It was humid and hilly, and I generally felt like crap. Can’t win ‘em all.
Thursday: 4 miles @9:18; this workout
My hip was in bad shape for this run and continued to hurt pretty badly until Saturday morning. Lucky for me, Manfriend helped me stretch it out before my long run on Saturday. I can stretch it myself, but it’s a huge help to have some pressure on it to help it release. That, I can’t do myself. So thanks, MF.
Friday: REST
Saturday: 14 miles @8:03
Inexplicably fantastic run. I was absolutely spent by the end of it, but it did give me some confidence that I might still have my speed somewhere in there!
Sunday: REST
Yep.
Here’s what else I’ve noticed: since I started my new job, I’m back at a desk all day. My hip doesn’t like it. At all. In fact, I’m generally uncomfortable sitting unless it’s sprawled out on the couch or floor. I stand up as often as I can and even stand at my desk sometimes, but it’s still pretty bad. Anyone else experience this? I’d love to know if you have any tips on how to deal.
BTW, if you really want the play-by-play for this training nonsense, feel free to follow along on the Daily Mile. Or not.
