| Day | Mileage / Workout | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Off | |
| Monday | 4 | Medium pace |
| Tuesday | 3 | Easy |
| Wednesday | 3 | Easy (tapering) |
| Thursday | 3 | |
| Friday | Off | |
| Saturday | 26.25 | Salt Lake City Marathon |
| Total miles for the week: 39.25; YTD: 634.75 | ||
Week's Summary
Well what can I say, taper week. I didn't get many miles in mostly because I was saving my strength for the weekend's marathon. And you know what, taking a very light week off really did help. When I arrived at the starting line, I actually felt pretty good. While the previous week's mileage was fairly high, this week I more than made up for it.
I have been marathon ready for quite some time (probably too long). I had wanted to run the full marathon in February but came down with a nasty case of bronchitis (I also dodged a rare monsoon in Arizona). So if anything, I was over trained (although recently I had not done too many long - long runs).
Post Marathon Thoughts
First off, I need to pat myself on the back for finishing a marathon. No matter what one's time is, it is always a memorable accomplishment. Whether it is your first or hundredth, finishing one takes commitment, training and some amount of bravery. So many things can go wrong on race day and it can either be a fantastic day, or an agonizing long walk, or even a humbling ride to the finish line.
That being said, I have to face the fact that the last 3 marathons have left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I felt like I ran well in Fort Collins and after that, I've had less than stellar results. I can chalk it up to a variety of reasons: age, difficult weather, stomach issues, etc. The bottom line though, is that I can run fairly well in training but when it comes to show time, it is as if the running gods mock me for attempting to run 26.2.
I've run many of my training runs this spring with low 9 minute miles and not feel too badly about it. However, I get to race day and suddenly that pace is difficult to maintain after 9 miles. This isn't uncommon... I remember feeling this way in Ogden and in Las Vegas.
So I am definitely wrestling with the fact that if I can't obtain the times I really want to, despite how diligent I may (or may not) train for them, why bother? Sure, there is a sense of accomplishment and I like the Saturday long runs and training but when it comes to race day, I am filled with a sense of fear "that this is gonna hurt". And I think to some extent my thoughts turn into reality.
It could be that the marathon isn't for me, anymore.
The thought of that is a little hard to swallow. My ego takes it on the chin when I do think about lining up at a race where I used to run the marathon but have "settled" for the half. And that doesn't sit with me. I do get a sense of satisfaction from running a ton of miles and doing marathons. But a part of me is upset because I don't get the times that I think my dedication deserves or what I used to be capable of achieving. In some ways, I am almost embarrassed by my times.
I am not sure where I am going with this but hopefully someone else has wrestled with this or could lend a bit of advice.
Upcoming Races
04/29: Winter Striders Race Circuit 30K - Huntsville, UT (Confirmed)
06/17: Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille / Elko, NV (Very Probable)
06/24: Utah Midnight Half Marathon - Provo, UT (Confirmed)
07/07: Utah Midnight (Legacy) Half Marathon - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)
08/19: Dam Train Race - 12 KM Race - Midway, UT (Confirmed)
11/12: Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
04/21: Salt Lake City Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed (2018))
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