Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Feeling Good :)

I keep thinking I'm going to let my blog go, but then something about running gets me excited to write...my last post "It's been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week", well, it turned into a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad month (or closer to two months). It was tough. I'm not complaining though, nor am I am really surprised. I went back to work full-time in October, and Emily started a full day preschool. Preschoolers are like disease magnets and work can be stressful. These two factors create the perfect storm for yuck. It's just a reality. I'm assuming that we have another 1-2 more years of winters full of yuck. (Nick is groaning right now.) Anyway, it seems that maybe, just maybe, we made it through, and now that it's officially Spring...

My training has just been a disaster. There were literally six weeks of poor running. It is what it is. I was trying something a little new this training cycle, that maybe has at least helped me keep my endurance. Basically I've been running a 20-23 miler almost every week since January. There were a couple bad weeks where I only got a 16 miler in, but I think I'm up to 10 runs at or over 20 miles, and yes I believe it's been good for me. I know most people have trouble getting their speed back and less trouble with their endurance, but I'm the opposite. I have trouble with the endurance.

So if my training has been full of awful, then what am I so excited about? I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT RUNNING BOSTON! And the awful has been replaced these last two weeks with awesome. Last week I peaked at 75 miles and my average pace for the the week was 7:31. That is like totally awesome! ;) Well, for me anyway.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have no delusions of grandeur. I don't think I'll be running a PR, but I could definitely beat my time from Boston last year, which would be fun. It's just generally nice to be feeling good and strong too. I'm been feeling so good that I've been reminded of the song that Ana-Maria posted to her blog last year before Boston:

Cause I'm on top of the world, eh
I'm on top of the world, eh
Been waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, eh
Been holding it in for a while, eh
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world.

I'm feeling strong and excited and happy even if it hasn't been my best training cycle. :)

5 comments:

Michael said...

Isn't it great/frustrating how running always surprises us. Good luck with your taper and race. And don't forget to have fun. :)

Ana-Maria RunTriLive said...

This makes me so happy! I am smiling right now! I think you are going to have a great race. Yes, the 20 milers! Yes, the less crazy speed (though you still had some awesome tempos!). Also, the sickness might have benefited you (I know, it sounds cruel!), but it forced you to train less and not over tire yourself. I am so excited for your race and seeing you on the course!!!!! And awesome job managing working FT and kids. I know working FT and 1 kid, so I can imagine what adding another kid in the mix does! Great job!

Katie said...

Michael: It is great how running can surprise us. I have missed running hard and feeling good (even if I'm a bit slower than I was last year).

AM: It is interesting. Usually I feel like I'm on the verge of injury, but I haven't had that this training cycle. I definitely ran much easier than I have in couple years...not sure that it will set me up for a great race, but I hope I can at least do what I did last year.

Karen said...

YAY! You're back! Feel free to post as infrequently as you want, I'll still be here. :)

My husband is a disease magnet too. Boy picks up everything.

I'm with Ana-Maria. I think having less pressure on yourself will allow for a better performance too.

Alicia Hudelson said...

I'm glad you wrote again! And I love the excitement. Enjoy your race!