Thursday, March 18, 2010

They Say the Old Adage is True

At the risk of opening myself up for public mockery; since the weather has broken and we have had an unprecedented string of sunny and quasi-warm days, I oft find myself singing John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” and even Cat Steven’s “Morning Has Broken.” *Begin dispensing of insults as if you were flinging rotting fruit at Quasimodo.

I remain somewhat stymied when it comes to how to fit meaningful training into my new work schedule…let alone time to post and comment. But since March 1st I have hit every scheduled run. On one particular morning I had to run early or forfeit my chance to run at all. I laid in bed and struggled with it—even though the weather was perfect for morning running. But I got up and got outside, and I ran. When it was all said and done, I was thrilled I’d done it.

So, like they say: You never regret a run you do, but you always regret runs you skip. So true. The problem is that I feel the exact same way with stopping at McDonalds for a large chocolate (or Mint in honor of St. Patty’s Day) shake and large fries. Seriously, I have been known to bitterly bring up the fact that I didn’t get a late night McRush a few days prior.

Last weekend I had a 24M run on the schedule. I dropped it to 22M because my attempt to run 22M on a treadmill two week prior was a complete fail (only 17M). I chose the hills-of-hell route. I paid dearly. I was aiming for a 7:30/M average. I hit a 7:40/M average. Now, it isn’t the end of the world, but with only one 20M+ run left, I’m sure I’m not ready to run anything close to a 7:15/M average necessary to BQ at Boston.

Which is good, because I haven’t planned to try that, and because I’m just not there. The timing of this training and the weather have successfully conspired to frustrate my training, so I’m going there to run hard and run for fun. My plan is to hit a 3:30, or a comfortable 8:00/M pace.

But let’s just be honest as a dollar-eating goat, I’ll probably get there and hit the first few miles at an easy 7:10 and think “Why not Spike? Go for it! The Gods favor you today.” And I’ll go for it. And somewhere around Heartbreak Hill ‘it’ will come back with vengeance. Just as Pandora is fated to open the box, so am I fated to wholeheartedly ignore my ‘race plan.’

I love running.

17 comments:

Katie A. said...

Well, if you decide to throw caution to the wind, I will be running 8's all day at Boston. We could keep each other accountable.
Wait, who am I kidding - 8's are on the plan for me, too - but I have a feeling it will go out the window at some point, too!
Good luck with the 20 miler - I've got a date with 20 on Sunday :)

B. Kramer said...

I'm the same way, but slower. I plan and plan and plan before the race and then leave that plan in the starting corral. Cheers!

C said...

17 miles on a treadmill?!? You crazy.

The Boring Runner said...

Wow - yeah I agree with Xenia. 17 miles is NUTS.

I need to eat at McD's more. I had no idea that they had mint shakes yesterday! Gosh, I am missing out. Seriously.

I'm horrible at following race plans too. I'm not sure what I would do with a super down hill start like boston. Either way, if you've got your runs in, what do you have to lose?

Jen Feeny said...

So glad things are finally looking up around Spikeville... as far as racing plans go, just get to the finish line! I'll be there cheering my full head off for you holding taco bell, Mt. Dew and girl scout cookies...

Sun Runner said...

I'll be happy if I crack 4:00. That's my goal. Sub-4:00 and 100 pictures and maybe a few kisses from those Wellesley girls.

I'm right there with you on the suckitude of this winter's training. My enthusiasm was seriously sapped.

But, we're almost there...only a couple more weeks until taper time and a mere 32 days to the main event!

Unknown said...

Sometimes no plan is the best plan....

Ms. V. said...

i hate the treadmill. So. Much. Gald to see you blogging, but hey, 2x a month is NOT enough!

LOL

Unknown said...

My work colleagues say "hey, Paul, how can you do your marathons and stuff when you eat McD's every day?" To which I reply, indignantly, "I do not eat McD every day ... sometimes it's KFC or Burger King or ..."

Hang in there. Almost done now.

Paul

Nitmos said...

I'm sure you've seen the photos of the first few Boston miles. It's packed so dense, I think you could probably jump in the air and then just let the crowd carry you down the street for 7-8 miles. Body surf 1/3 of the marathon.

Besides, if you try to go slower than the corral you are placed in, you'll get trampled to death. Pacing. It's really a matter of life or death.

Good luck!

Running and living said...

Don't go for 3:30, go for 3:20 at least, or even 3:10. Boston is actually not that hard (really) if you pace yourself well and prepare to die a couple of times starting at HH (which is long but not steep). Whatever you do, don't start out too fast on those steep downhills, and watch your footing. The streets are narrow and people step on each other.

Unknown said...

Plans are for suckers. Or at least that's what I tell myself. You're already a better man than me. 17+ on a treadmill is insane-o!

Unknown said...

you fill up my senses, Spike....
i need to read your blog more often. looking forward to cheering for you with the croud in Beantown!

Christy said...

Good luck on Monday!!!

Christy Ashley said...

I figured I'd stop by and say hi since we'll be meeting up this weekend! You'll be great on Monday!!

Lisa said...

Good luck in Boston!! Have a great time!

LAPT said...

Run run run! GOOD LUCK! You're going to do GREAT here in Boston!!!