October 23, 2011

"Your love is like a roller coaster, baby, baby!"

"Love" being my love of marathoning. I started off this week, a bit weary, but determined to put in my scheduled 105 miles, the largest volume week EVER. I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel b/c after Sunday (today), it was Taper Time! Things went along swimmingly, with of course the usual tiredness and eat-everything-in-sight feelings.

Thursday night the group chose to do our hilly route. We were cruising along, talking and laughing, as usual, when all of a sudden the Concrete Monster jumped out of the crack in the sidewalk and grabbed my ankle! It wasn't one of those tuck and roll graceful falls, either. It was a fly through the air, legs and arms everywhere, near face plant fall. I hit so hard that I made a thud. (The only reason I mention this is b/c one of the guys in the group that was a few feet in front said that he heard a big THUD and it crossed his mind that someone was hit by a car.)

I rolled myself into a sitting position and felt immediate pain in my shoulder. I had landed on both knees and my right shoulder. It had actually knocked my breath out for a moment; so the group of 7 just huddled around me staring. My knees and hands are bleeding, and my arm is in pain, but I get up to assess damages. Every runner has fallen at some point in their running career, probably even more than once. I know I've fallen a LOT, but none like this. This was wipe-out status.

I started jogging again to assess the damages and determined that I was a pretty sore, but the legs were in working order- PHEW. However, I had a LOT of pain in the shoulder and it hurt to move it at all. We finished our run, though.

Friday morning, brought on a painful 8 miler. The knees were cut up, but felt okay. I had pretty much ZERO motion in the shoulder, and had to keep it directly next to my body to keep from being excruciating pain. Then Friday, I felt depressed over it. I mean, what luck! I have been nailing down these massive training weeks and my legs have been the LEAST of my problems. My stomach revolts for about a week, and then I completely wipe out to the point of probably needing medical attention???!!!! I was also nervous b/c it really did (and still sort of does) feel like something is seriously wrong in there.

Saturday morning, day of scheduled MASSIVE workout- 22 w/ 15 at GMP brought on a lot of anxiety for me. We had the FB debate about whether ibuprofen was safe to use before a LR, further increasing my anxiety about the workout. I did end up taking the ibuprofen and had zero negative side effects, and in fact, I credit it for loosening up my arm enough for me to hit my target paces. Of course, though, right after I had swallowed the darn pills, I started getting comments like, "Don't do it!" Etc. Anyway, a few trusted runners and friends had told me to go ahead, which was enough for me to head out the door.

I started off at easy pace, not even looking at the Garmin until I reached the place on my planned course where I would start GMP mileage. Here is how the mileage turned out.
645, 648, 640, 642, 650, 644, 645, 644, 648, 645, 643, 648, 645, 652, 648

If you counted those reps, there are only 14. I decided early on that if I was able to hold slightly under GMP (6:52) that I would allow myself a free pass on the last mile b/c of course logistics. It made for a GMP Mile 15 HILL, which I did not want to do. I finished out the 22 miler at easy pace.

22 miles at 7:08 average. Not too shabby. :)

So, that's my workout. I really feel like the hay is in the barn for a Sub 3 race. Something to reflect on for me came from the book Running with the Hansons. The author discusses how thin the line is between fully prepared and ready to race versus overtraining. He describes a stellar training cycle and a painful Boston Marathon race ending with unmet goals. BUT... in the end, he gets his time, only delayed by a few more training cycles. Readers are reminded of Brian Sell, one of America's top marathoners and his delayed success. The book states that he had 8 YEARS of high mileage training before it fully paid off for him. While slightly discouraging (because we all want payoff right now), it is also inspiring. It CAN be done! Whether I get there now or later, I do feel like this heavy training load eventually WILL pay off. Here are the details of my highest mileage week ever- 104 miles. All miles were easy except Saturday's workout.

M: 9
T: 11.5 a.m./ 9 p.m.
W: 10.5
T: 12 a.m./ 8 p.m.
F: 8
S: 22 w/ 14 @ GMP (see above)
S: 14

Run Happy, friends!

9 comments:

  1. What a great week in the face of adversity (read: fall/shoulder)! You're definitely ready for your sub-3 and I can't wait to read about it.

    I remember that bit in Running with the Hansons. I find the whole concept of "overtraining" to be very tricky. Races can go badly for so many reasons and "I was overtrained" just seems like an easy out after the fact.

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  2. You can't hear it, but I'm clapping for you over here!! Killer workout and I love your outlook-yes it CAN be done! Running does love us back, but it makes us prove it to it before it does it seems. I'll let it know that you've been really good to it lately...


    I think the fact that the concrete ate your shoulder and not your legs could be a good sign:)?!...

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  3. Great workout, great week (aside from that huge splat you made that was so loud, I looked out my window) and most excellent attitude. I have to get that book, it totally belongs in my collection. Anyway, that is the way you (and the rest of us) need to look at this, it's about building and when everything comes together, which it will, it'll be magic. Here's to it happening in Pensacola...cheers! :)

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  4. hot stuff coming through! Amazing week girl, can't wait to hear about you kicking the 3 hour mark in the tail!

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  5. Wow! That's quite the week and quite the spill. Hope your shoulder is doing better. Enjoy taper time!

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  6. Anonymous10/24/2011

    awesome work- hope the shoulder keeps on improving this next week! my coach likes to say that he doesn't believe in overtraining, only under-resting...

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  7. LunarRacers...I decided to try a racing flat for Richmond. I wanted to buy them from my running store before I left and lost my employee discount. We had the Brooks racer, but the ones in stock had stability, which I don't need (and so didn't like). I tried the Pures, but they pushed me forward too far on my foot. The Saucony Kinvara were nice, but not as responsive as the Nikes. So I bought the Nikes.

    Interestingly, the LunarRacer comes in Womens and Unisex. The women's shoe was cut veeeery narrow and the cushioning system felt much less responsive and flatter. The unisex nike racer is just right....fit wide enough, soft cushioning but still lightweight and responsive. I felt like they kicked back with every step. Have you tried them? What do you race in?

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  8. I was asking about the LunarRacers b/c I didn't think you typically ran in Nikes, but that makes sense now (unisex). I have been racing 5Ks in the Brooks Pure Connects and longer races (10K and 1/2) in the Brooks Pure Flows. I am using the Brooks ST Racer 5s for the marathon, though, as I haven't totally mastered the lacing and tongue placement of the Pures yet. :) I did this weekend's LR/workout in the Racer 5s and they were perfect.

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  9. I am so sorry to hear about your adventure. Glad to hear you still did the 100+ week. You are my hero!!!

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