We got back last night from a quick trip to Michigan to visit Andy's family. This was our last trip for the year and I couldn't be happier. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm vacation/traveled out!! We had such a crazy summer with something going on almost every weekend. As much as I enjoy having a fun filled life, I'm a home body at heart and need my sleep and weekend naps! Traveling disrupts that and it takes me days to recover. But now we're home and I'm excited for a lot of down time...especially as we enter race season.
Speaking of races, next Sunday is the Philly Rock n Roll half marathon. This is probably my favorite race of the year and I'm curious to see how different it is this year with it being a RnR event. They also changed up the course a bit so I'll be running the part that is most challenging for me mentally at the end, instead of towards the beginning. I was thinking that I'd like to shoot for a 1:40 finish (which would be ~ a 2 min PR) but today I started having some doubts. Still obsessed with reinjuring myself, I'm wondering if it's safer to use this as a tune up for Philly marathon and run it at marathon pace. I honestly have no idea right now which way I'll go but I did print up a pace band for 1:40 just in case. :-) And to get myself excited, I just read my race report from last year. Man, I was beaming after that race. THAT is the reason I like racing so much. Nothing beats the feeling when you push yourself to a new limit. How could I even be rambling about the possibility of not shooting for a PR this weekend? Grrr, that stupid injury really got the best of me mentally. I need to shake these phantom pains and doubts soon. But just to be safe, I'll noodle it for a few more days before I make a firm decision.
I have my first Brooks event the day before the race since this is a Brooks sponsored race. I'll be meeting up with other Brooks IDers for a group run on a portion of the race course then there will be brunch and free swag. Woo hoo! I love me some free stuff. It'll be fun to meet some other members and see if anyone else is as scarred by the belly shirt as I am.
My schedule is a little messed up this week due to traveling and the fact that I'm also not sure how much I really want to do. Last year I didn't taper at all for this race but I'm thinking I might take it nice and easy this week so I don't take any chances. Here's what I'm shooting for this week:
Mon - off
Tues - 7 mi
Wed - cross train/lift in AM, short run in PM
Thurs - 7 mi
Fri - cross train
Sat - 4 mi
Sun - 13.1 mi
18 comments:
You have bounced back nice and strong; I'm sure you can have a great race on Sunday!! And you can totally pull off that shirt! HAVE FUN!
Looks like a solid week of pre-race training to me. Take the first couple of miles out conservatively and see how it feels--if good, go for it!
Good luck and have a great race!!
They changed the course??? I'm going to have to check it out, I really liked the course last year.
I think it helps a lot to read past race reports. I am interested to see the difference in the race from past to this year.
i like the RNR's generally, but sometimes if you have a hometown race that you like it could really change the feel of it
i am both oddly excited to travel and stay home at the same time, not sure how that is
I think you're going to have a great race. I know how you are feeling, but you know to listen to your body, and do what is right. Trust yourself. And have fun at the ID event! I'm right there with ya on the belly shirt issue. I haven't worn mine at a race yet! I just can't do it. Aaah.
I need to sign up for one of these rock-n-roll marathons!
I think you're doing well with your running right now - don't see yourself short! But as a person who is keeping tabs on my own ache and pain, I'm also an advocate for using it as a MP run.
You'll know exactly what to do come race day (or the day before), so go with your gut! You're a smart runner!
Have a great week!
Denise,
I just noticed your comment on my blog-post like a month ago. :) I am really glad to hear that your Achilles is doing better. My feet are currently mummified in tape per the suggestion of the PA that I saw, but I am hopeful that this will help. The mental side of injuries is worse the the physical side in my opinion. I've been keeping up with our posts, and you seem to to have a really good grasp on what you should be doing. Post injury, I always find myself hyper-analyzing every twinge and sensation, but I think that if you stick to you game plan, it will all workout for you. I can't wait to see how you do! BTW: don't sweat the belly shirt! If you rock it with the attitude that you were born to wear it, you own that thing!
Good luck and rock the half!
Looks like nice temperatures for the weekend, I say keep pushing those doubts behind you and aim your sights at the PR.
And Weezer's Hurley rocks, more like their old stuff, hope you get to check it out.
You have this course down. There's no surprises. This is your race.
Knock 'em dead!
Oy... I posted that comment and then read a couple of the others, and realized that I'd missed the part where you said they changed the course!
Still, you know Philly inside and out. Here's to refreshing changes and hometown comfort - it's still your race!
what about a compromise?? not a PR but still trying really really hard and running faster than usual but not as fast as you could!! why don't you play it by ear and negative split and get the PR if you're feeling up to it and if not then jsut hold a steady pace. you'll do great!!!! can't wait to hear how it goes!
I say be careful and take it easy at marathon pace. I would rather get to the marathon well prepared and injury free than risk getting injured again. There will be plenty halfs later to do that PR.
i read on Amanda's post your husband's comment about YOU being a great runner. HOW COOL to have that much support! you deserve credit for your hard work (and, I may be biased, but man to man, he deserves a high five for his comment. way to go, dude!)
keep on running!
-gene-
Two of my running buddies ran philly yesterday. I haven't heard anything from them except that they finished.
Hope you had a great race.
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