I just talked to Cory, my running coach, about the remainder of my training. I’ve been thinking a lot about it today, and thinking that maybe I should just stop at 18.5 and begin my taper. Cory gave me some good advice, which is basically take it day-by-day. She suggested doing as much walking and biking as possible to keep my heart rate up. She also suggested that I not worry much about getting my 12 miles in this weekend—start off planning a nice long walk, and if I can throw some slow jogging in at the end, go ahead, as long as it’s pain-free jogging.
Her other suggestion was to attempt my 20 mile run, but start out by walking the first 5 or 6 miles, and gradually add in running. Take lots of walk breaks and go slowly. Don’t even worry about 22 miles at this point.
Her suggestions all make sense, and confirm what I’ve been feeling in the pit of my stomach—if I want to make it to race day, I’ve got to make more modifications NOW. Not slog through 20 and 22 miles just to get the miles in. That’s not quality, and will probably wear me down too much.
I just don’t know how to tell Val. She is going to freak out. At least she’ll still have her Dad for the 20 mile run, but I don’t know about the 22 mile run. I hope I can make her see that we have the same goal still—Grandma’s Marathon—but I have to take a different path to be there.
I also asked Cory about “Did Not Finish” vs. a time worse than last year. She gave me some kind words, saying that “you can only do what your body can do.” She also said that the number one goal is to finish. If the finish time is better than last year, great. But beating that time is a secondary goal. And I think she’s right. What’s Val’s shirt say? “Dead Last is better than Did Not Finish?” Maybe I’d better make a shirt that says that.
I still feel anxious and upset, but at least now I have a plan.
posted by Lola @ 4:19 PM
1 Comments:
You're smart to not overtrain, and to make yourself do what you know you need to. Go for it (the taper, I mean. :)
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