Thursday, June 21, 2007

Training, finally

The past few weeks I haven't really felt like I was "in training" mode. Going out too fast, biting off more than I can chew on long runs, trying to run in the heat of the day. Don't get me wrong, I've been really enjoying myself and I feel like I'm sitting pretty good two weeks out from starting my marathon training program. But, to be honest, yes, I've been working out, getting strong, running hard, but I haven't been in that "training groove" where every workout is purposed, where I'm patient but tough, riding that edge between training hard and overuse.

During tonight's 5-miler, I finally felt like I executed a training run. I kept my pace pretty even. The workout was purposed and well-executed. In other words, it was all business tonight and man did I need some of that. It was a good confidence booster.

I completed the 5 miles at ~13:50 pace, stopping for water briefly every time I passed a fountain. I kept conversational the entire run and felt "right" at the end of the workout.

Like June, I've completed my training plan through the Houston marathon. I'm very excited about training for NYC but I won't be able to achieve one of the goals I set for myself this year, to PR at every previous race distance. HARRA XC Relay is out. I have an important long run that day. Space City is out. That's my 20-miler on Saturday, the day before the race. And I won't get to run the Houston Half Marathon. But I will get to volunteer so that's VERY good, right, Barb? I won't be doing the 25K the week after NY but the 30K fits quite nicely into my reset schedule for Houston. I won't be doing the full Tour de Memorial, only 1-2 hours of it but count me in for the full 21 mile Longest Long Run. What an event the Striders put on there.

So that's a brief review of the rest of the year, the good and the bad. Not much bad there. :) It's almost ALL good!!! I'll post my full schedule soon for public scrutiny. I want to commit to the plan but must stay disciplined and conservative to avoid injury while still working hard.

10 comments:

Pat said...

Life is great when you have the golden ticket to NYC. You're gonna have a great year.

pat

Anonymous said...

In addition to making sure you remain injury-free while running, but also staying clear of holes that kids dig in the back yard - LOL!

Today was the first day I woke up pain-free so I'm hoping next week is the start back of the old me.

J~Mom said...

Looks like you thought through all of it! Can't wait to follow your progress!

Unknown said...

Sounds like your ready to train. I can't wait to read all about it!

Tiggs said...

since I can't run the largest events, I'm running relays.

L*I*S*A said...

Sounds like you have things well under control. I like the part about the even pace. I'm convinced that's what it's all about when it comes to endurance. You're totally doing it, Vic!

RunninRobin said...

Hey Vic!!! So you are doing New York huh?? So glad to see you are still at it! I am trying to build up my endurance while Jake is gone and I think we are going to train together for a major race. I won't say the word marathon, cause well that is a bit scary. But if I were to say the word marathon, it would be LA :)

Jessica, a Austin Runner AND triathlete said...

hey buddy!

it was great to see you the other day...

email me when you get a chance so we can wrap about the watch...

stdjma14 AT shsu.edu

thanks and hope to see you again soon!

Junie B said...

Are you running, cause you certainly aren't blogging.

NYC is knocking at your door man.

Steve Bezner said...

Are you still running?