New Linky Love

I added several new links to local running clubs I am mixed up with.  For a town of 80,000 people, most of whom are transient college students, to have this many vibrant, fun, BIG running clubs (that actually play nice together!!!) is amazing.  Most of us are members of multiple clubs.  It’s no wonder that a “small” 5K here can still have several hundred runners…!

How hard should you push?

Distance: 5.5 mi

Time: 42:00

I had no idea what to expect this morning.  I was really tired and sore over the last two days from the 26 miler I put in on Saturday.  I went for a little jog with my son last night and my legs felt heavy but not overly sore so I decided to run today but just run the short course, which only had one big hill in it.

I would love to say I knew why I ran as fast today (7:38/mi) as I did.  But it doesn’t make any sense.  I thought I would be sore.  And I was.  I thought I would be slow.  And I wanted to be.  My goal was 9:30/mi pace.  The funny part is that I “thought” I was struggling.  I “thought” I was running slow.  I didn’t “feel” fast at all.  Then I passed a guy that usually finishes WAY ahead of me and he said “Whoa!!  You are FLYING today!!”  I asked him what pace he was running and he said 8:00/mile.  I should have been proud and excited to run that fast so close to marathon distance.  But instead, it left me pondering why…

I mean… I know… “Never sniff a gift fish” and all that…  But why did I run so fast?  I wasn’t trying to… In fact, I was trying to run slow!  And this, in turn, makes me wonder if I am pacing myself right in the rest of my training.

THIS IS NOT A BAD THING!!

I think it is good to evaluate your training and routinely look at the amount of effort you are putting out.  You don’t HAVE to make any changes and, in fact, you shouldn’t change much if you are following a set plan.  The only thing you have a bit of leeway with is the effort you put in or “time”.  I think this goes for slowing down as well as speeding up.  In fact, in order for me to successfully complete 26 miles I had to REALLY slow down.  Over a minute a mile.  But on my shorter training runs, I don’t see anything wrong with pushing it.  I hate coming in from a training run and having “something left in the bag”.  Granted, I don’t want to be totally spent, but I like to feel like I really put in a good effort.

Now, of course, this all depends on where you are at with your training.  If you have just started, stick to your plan/time goals.  If you are recovering, don’t hurt yourself.  But if you have settled into a good training routine and are comfortable with it (I have been “training” for over a year now), I, personally, don’t see anything wrong with pushing it.  I think as we get in better shape, the edge of our fitness envelope moves out and the only way to know where the limit has moved to is to test yourself and see.  Just use a bit of common sense so you don’t hurt yourself.

Disclaimer:  These are just my thoughts and opinions.  I am no expert.  It is ok to disagree with me on this.  Certain conditions apply.  Not valid on all training programs.  See your local running expert for details.  Minimum terms and service apply… blah… blah…