Just needed to type some of this stuff out, mainly for my own head. I feel like I'm at a running crossroads in my life, and not sure how to proceed. And I guess I'll probably discover the answer as I go along.
Background: Been running for about 3 years now, and through that time, discovered that I really just love to run. I've never really been passionate about any of the hobbies in my life, until now, so I guess it took 41 years to find it. When I started running, it was actually kind of easy for me. I found that I could do it, I enjoyed it, and the more I ran, the more I "wanted" to run (borrowed from George Sheehan). Running fit me. And yes, I've had a couple of injuries along the way because of my own bullheadness. Sometimes we just have to make the mistakes ourselves to truly learn.
I started off with a half marathon, and then a marathon, and another, and another. I've trained fairly hard, but am definitely an average runner. First half was 1:59, three years ago, and have since gotten to 1:39 last September. First marathon was 4:27, and have since gotten to 3:43 this past January. Got a 46:20 in a 10k this spring. Yeah, average. All of my race times are solidly middle of the pack for my age group, unless it was a very small race in which I got a couple of A/G placements. But for me, it's almost to the point of diminishing returns, I'm not sure I can get better on my own. And I'm OK with that, kind of. Except I want to get better, but the last marathon cycle was pretty tough on me. Do I want to push myself even harder? Should I?
After my last marathon, I decided to switch gears just a bit, and mainly because of the FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome, I decided to join a bunch of folks and run a 24 hour event this fall in Cleveland, OH. I also thought it would be a good way to try something different, and continue to build a really strong base this year, instead of focusing on speed. Changing it up.
And I've found that I really enjoy doing the long runs. I've done four 50k runs over the last 2 months, and generally speaking, I've done OK. In fact, those 50k runs have been real character builders and I've proven to myself that I'm a lot stronger than I give myself credit for. But, in training for this 24 hour event, I'm definitely losing my speed. Yes, that's by design, because in ultras (esp with a 24 hour event), you have to slow down, you simply can't run them at marathon pace (or at least I can't and stay injury free).
You see, as a kid, I was never an athlete. I simply did not do sports. I tried football as a freshman, but had appendicitis 2 weeks into training, so ended up being the stats and equipment guy that season. I did track my freshman year, but was horrible only because I didn't want to work hard and wanted to goof off. So through the rest of high school, I was simply the stats or equipment guy because it was easier. And it still let me hang around with my buddies. But today, at the prime age of 41, in my mind, I'm almost athlete-like. I'm a runner. And it feels great.
But now I'm having this internal struggle. I don't want to sound like an elitist, because I'm not, but these long 50k runs have not been that hard. And I find that I'm rather enjoying them. But they are slow, only because they have to be. But somehow, deep down, I want speed too, and I want to improve my PRs at the shorter distances of 10k, half, and the marathon. But I can't have both. Can't have cake and eat it too. Or so I've been told.
And finally, my internal struggle leads me to my crossroads. I've got runs booked through the rest of the year. These runs are serving a purpose of helping me run in all 50 states (eventually). Note, I'm not really racing anything left on my schedule this year, just running them for the experience. I'm mainly thinking about goals beyond this year. What fork in the road will my running career take next year? And that my friends, is the question. Speed or distance. Yin and Yang. Apples and Oranges. I've tried both (granted, I'm not as speedy as a lot of you), but I want both. I want to go fast(er), but I also am really enjoying these longer runs. Still not sure about the 24 hour run yet, that might be too long I think, we'll see. Anyhow, how do I balance this out in my head, wanting to go fast(er), but really enjoying doing much, much longer distances. And I feel like that I've really lost my speed that I built up last year. As in, there's no way I could repeat those speeds at my current fitness level. Can I ever get that back?
It's a battle, at least for me, which leads me to this unending novel, which is mainly just a chance for me to vent since I don't have anyone else to talk to about it. Thanks for reading if you made it this far. And that my friends, is my running crossroads.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Run Toto Run Psyco Psummer 50k
What: Completed my first official 50k race, a very hilly trail 50k in Kansas City, KS around Wyandotte Lake. Finished in 7:33:17, 35 out of 49 men.
Why: I'm still asking myself that question. Yes, I'm a runner, but I run primarily on roads and easy trails. I'm currently training for ultras, including a 24 hour race this fall. This seemed like a good way to get some miles while doing something new and different at the same time. Plus, peer pressure still works even though I'm 41 years old. :)
How: I'm not exactly sure of that either, other than I've been working hard and have come a long way in my running ability. This was the hardest, hilliest, longest race I've ever done. But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, rinse, lather repeat. And running with a good friend for 21 of the 31.1 miles really helped. Thank you friend for 1) encouraging me to sign up, and 2) not allowing me to stop.
The Nitty Gritty: I'm not a trail runner, remember? I run roads, and flat rail or bike trails. This was a hilly mofo race, rated level 4 for terrain, and level 5 for surface, with roughly 3200' of both elevation descent and gain over 31.1 miles (50k). I honestly (and rightly so) doubted my ability to complete this race, given my lack of trail and hill experience, although I have run shorter trails that were similar. I did complete two 50k training runs prior to this, so I felt very prepared for the distance, just not the technicality of the hills or the terrain. There was about 3 miles of mud per 10 mile loop, a crapton of rocks, and roots, and about 5 miles of really sweet, fun, runnable trail. The race didn't start until 8 am, so running through the heat through 330 pm was a challenge, but we were in the woods 98% of the time, and it really wasn't that bad.
My body held up very well, I did stub my foot hard enough around mile 27 to bring tears to my eyes, (I'll lose at least 1, maybe 2 toenails because of it), and the bottom of my feet were basically hamburger when I was finished. I will say, this was the hardest race I've ever done. To put this race in perspective, I ran a flat 50k training run a few weeks ago on a rail trail in 5:13, so this race took another 2 hours and 20 minutes. Yeah, it was that hard (for me).
Overall, this was a significant challenge (given my lack of hill and trail experience), but something that was a ton of fun, all wrapped up into one. I would be cursing the rocks with very loud expletives at one moment, being upset and slipping in the mud and almost getting my shoe sucked off the next, then be smiling at how much fun I was having just around the bend with a decent running pace. A real roller coaster of emotions.
The race: Can't say enough good things about the Kansas City Trail Nerds who put this race on. Very accommodating, and the aid stations (6 total per 10 mile loop) were awesome. Having ice in your water and sport drink when it's about 90 outside was incredible and kept me going. And the kinds and types of foods was awesome. Chocolate muffins, potato chips, glasses of Coke, watermelon, bananas, gummy bears, PB/J and Nutella tortillas, ahh, the food of ultra running. And I ate it all, as much as I could take.
The Friends: I got to run the first 2 laps with a good running friend for 21 miles or so, but she very smartly decided to not do a 3rd lap due cramping and light headedness. Thank you again for all your support though! And thank you for continuing to be a great running motivator to go beyond your abilities, and thanks for being a good running friend. And got to meet another local KC runner who I'm friends with. He stayed throughout the day, even well beyond the end of his 10 mile race, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Very cool! He also took some great pictures. Really appreciate it!!
The recovery: Even though the bottom of my feet are in bad shape (just bruised from all the rock pounding, no blisters thankfully), the rest of my body feels pretty good the day after. I was able to run 9 recovery miles this morning after the race and I don't have any injuries, other than a little bit of chaffing hither and yon (completely normal), and a bug bite on my ankle that I can't seem to pin down exactly what it is yet. Need to watch that one closely. I did slip and fall in the deep mud about mile 17, and thought I hurt my arm pretty badly, but that pain went away after a few miles. Otherwise, no major ill effects.
Bottom line: I'm not a fast trail runner, and an average road runner. Trails and hills are not my thing (yet). My performance was well beyond the middle of the pack for this race. Big deal. I'll keep trying, keep moving forward, will work harder, and will continue to set new goals for myself, and will keep reaching further than what I thought I could do before. Better than I was, but not as good as I'll be, that's my motto. It's my first official 50k finish, I'll take it, no matter what the result. It was an experience of a lifetime, priceless memories were made, I proved to myself I'm tougher than I give myself credit for, and that's what it's all about.
A couple of photos:
I don't know when this was taken, although it's within the first 10 mile loop somewhere. (note the feet caked with mud though).
End of 20 miles. Soaked through to the skin. But feeling good, and actually started the third loop really strong.
Immediately after finishing. (Thanks Eric for the picture!) I know you can't see it, but the medal has a tornado on it. Since I'm a weather guy, I just had to have this medal (OK, the real reason I ran the race). It's all about the bling, right? :)
Pace and elevation charts: There was a lot of runnable section, which shows well in the pace graph I think. I was actually really pleased with the speed at which I could run, when I ran. That running pace seemed fairly consistent all the way to the end.
Lap 1: 2:17:36.0
Lap 2: 2:37:38.9
Lap 3: 2:38:02.3
Total Time: 7:33:17.3
Overall, this was a fun, but hard race. Given my lack of trail experience, I'd say I did OK. I finished. And I gained valuable experience if I'd ever attempt something like this again.
Why: I'm still asking myself that question. Yes, I'm a runner, but I run primarily on roads and easy trails. I'm currently training for ultras, including a 24 hour race this fall. This seemed like a good way to get some miles while doing something new and different at the same time. Plus, peer pressure still works even though I'm 41 years old. :)
How: I'm not exactly sure of that either, other than I've been working hard and have come a long way in my running ability. This was the hardest, hilliest, longest race I've ever done. But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, rinse, lather repeat. And running with a good friend for 21 of the 31.1 miles really helped. Thank you friend for 1) encouraging me to sign up, and 2) not allowing me to stop.
The Nitty Gritty: I'm not a trail runner, remember? I run roads, and flat rail or bike trails. This was a hilly mofo race, rated level 4 for terrain, and level 5 for surface, with roughly 3200' of both elevation descent and gain over 31.1 miles (50k). I honestly (and rightly so) doubted my ability to complete this race, given my lack of trail and hill experience, although I have run shorter trails that were similar. I did complete two 50k training runs prior to this, so I felt very prepared for the distance, just not the technicality of the hills or the terrain. There was about 3 miles of mud per 10 mile loop, a crapton of rocks, and roots, and about 5 miles of really sweet, fun, runnable trail. The race didn't start until 8 am, so running through the heat through 330 pm was a challenge, but we were in the woods 98% of the time, and it really wasn't that bad.
My body held up very well, I did stub my foot hard enough around mile 27 to bring tears to my eyes, (I'll lose at least 1, maybe 2 toenails because of it), and the bottom of my feet were basically hamburger when I was finished. I will say, this was the hardest race I've ever done. To put this race in perspective, I ran a flat 50k training run a few weeks ago on a rail trail in 5:13, so this race took another 2 hours and 20 minutes. Yeah, it was that hard (for me).
Overall, this was a significant challenge (given my lack of hill and trail experience), but something that was a ton of fun, all wrapped up into one. I would be cursing the rocks with very loud expletives at one moment, being upset and slipping in the mud and almost getting my shoe sucked off the next, then be smiling at how much fun I was having just around the bend with a decent running pace. A real roller coaster of emotions.
The race: Can't say enough good things about the Kansas City Trail Nerds who put this race on. Very accommodating, and the aid stations (6 total per 10 mile loop) were awesome. Having ice in your water and sport drink when it's about 90 outside was incredible and kept me going. And the kinds and types of foods was awesome. Chocolate muffins, potato chips, glasses of Coke, watermelon, bananas, gummy bears, PB/J and Nutella tortillas, ahh, the food of ultra running. And I ate it all, as much as I could take.
The Friends: I got to run the first 2 laps with a good running friend for 21 miles or so, but she very smartly decided to not do a 3rd lap due cramping and light headedness. Thank you again for all your support though! And thank you for continuing to be a great running motivator to go beyond your abilities, and thanks for being a good running friend. And got to meet another local KC runner who I'm friends with. He stayed throughout the day, even well beyond the end of his 10 mile race, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Very cool! He also took some great pictures. Really appreciate it!!
The recovery: Even though the bottom of my feet are in bad shape (just bruised from all the rock pounding, no blisters thankfully), the rest of my body feels pretty good the day after. I was able to run 9 recovery miles this morning after the race and I don't have any injuries, other than a little bit of chaffing hither and yon (completely normal), and a bug bite on my ankle that I can't seem to pin down exactly what it is yet. Need to watch that one closely. I did slip and fall in the deep mud about mile 17, and thought I hurt my arm pretty badly, but that pain went away after a few miles. Otherwise, no major ill effects.
Bottom line: I'm not a fast trail runner, and an average road runner. Trails and hills are not my thing (yet). My performance was well beyond the middle of the pack for this race. Big deal. I'll keep trying, keep moving forward, will work harder, and will continue to set new goals for myself, and will keep reaching further than what I thought I could do before. Better than I was, but not as good as I'll be, that's my motto. It's my first official 50k finish, I'll take it, no matter what the result. It was an experience of a lifetime, priceless memories were made, I proved to myself I'm tougher than I give myself credit for, and that's what it's all about.
A couple of photos:
I don't know when this was taken, although it's within the first 10 mile loop somewhere. (note the feet caked with mud though).
End of 20 miles. Soaked through to the skin. But feeling good, and actually started the third loop really strong.
Immediately after finishing. (Thanks Eric for the picture!) I know you can't see it, but the medal has a tornado on it. Since I'm a weather guy, I just had to have this medal (OK, the real reason I ran the race). It's all about the bling, right? :)
Pace and elevation charts: There was a lot of runnable section, which shows well in the pace graph I think. I was actually really pleased with the speed at which I could run, when I ran. That running pace seemed fairly consistent all the way to the end.
Lap 1: 2:17:36.0
Lap 2: 2:37:38.9
Lap 3: 2:38:02.3
Total Time: 7:33:17.3
Overall, this was a fun, but hard race. Given my lack of trail experience, I'd say I did OK. I finished. And I gained valuable experience if I'd ever attempt something like this again.
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