Ok, I’m not using the word “EVER” because I have my eye a couple next year (shhhhh..). But, for the first summer in three years, I am not training for a full marathon. And guess what? I am SOOOO happy with that decision.
Obviously not having to wake up at 3am to run a million miles before the thermometer hits triple digit is pretty fabulous. Really, its F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. Why, oh why did I train through the Texas summer so many times? High fives to those of you that thrive on that kind of stuff, but for me I’ve finally learned it makes more sense to focus on shorter distance during the summer and train long during the fall and winter.
See, I can learn from my past.
Also, I’ve spent the last few years stuck in a vicious cycle that went something like this: train train train during a billion degree weather, get up to 18-20 miler,get injured, take FOREVER off, find a race that I *have* to run, cram too much training in without a solid base, get injured. Repeat.
And each time it’s harder and harder to return to running from the injuries because, well-it’s discouraging. Ahhhh…but this summer is different. I’ve been running short distances and focusing on picking up speed. I know when it comes time to run longer the faster pace will hopefully translate to less overuse injuries. Less time on my feet is a good thing.
I ROCKED my “Short Run Saturday”, 4 miles with the last one, the fastest in 8:30. (Ok,that may not be speedy for YOU,but is fabulous for me)
Do you know what felt almost as good as a speedy run? Sleeping in until 10am. Yep, shorter distances = more sleep.
Life is good.
Oh….sounds amazing! I thought sleeping past 8am meant getting struck by lighting. Thanks for showing me there’s hope!
I totally, completely understand the freedom you’re talking about. While I have some acquaintances who think it’s fine to just get up and decide to run a marathon or a half marathon, that’s not me! So I train and train and train. A few years ago, due to a dust storm of circumstances I gave myself permission not to train for a race. I felt like I’d been let out of jail. So, I haven’t run a marathon in 4 years, nor a half in two, But it’s OK. I’m still running and if someone wants to say I’m ‘not’ a runner because I’m not racing, well that’s their personal problem.
Pssshhh 4am hot sweaty mornings on the trail are where it’s AT! Haha just kidding – I really don’t know how i convinced myself to endure this summer torture yet again. Congrats on a fabulous (and SPEEDY!) run
I think I told you last year (on that 4am sweaty trail run in the dark) that I wouldn’t be doing it again. Followed by “but by next year I’ll have forgotten how terrible this is” lol, I remembered though!
You my friend are hardcore for training for a full this summer.
Good for you! After slogging through tons of miles, short, speedy workouts are always a breath of fresh air.
I’ll take training through a hot sweaty summer any day over freezing my butt off. It makes no sense logically, but I don’t mind the early morning wakeup calls during the summer where I DETEST them during the winter. However, I’m taking my advice from last year and taking the winter OFF. As in pure off season (Zliten is trying to con me into 3M but I’m trying to resist). No getting outside to run because I have to while it’s cold, only if I *want* to. I conquered the winter last winter, but now I’m giving myself a break.
Twitter Caron sent me to this post because I was saying today how I don’t think I’ll become addicted to marathons. I’m halfway through training for my first marathon right now, and I’m seriously wondering what I was thinking. I miss sleeping in, I miss not being tired all weekend, and I miss having legs that don’t hurt all the time! Glad to see that you are really having fun with running and sleeping in!
As many times as I have looked at Fall marathons and thought that it would be so cool to run one of them, I just cannot bring myself to train in the heat! I much prefer to run in the middle of winter and have my fingers frozen than to be too hot. Plus, like you, I am plagued with injuries and need to be careful how much I run.
Awesome job learning from your past! That is usually a feat in itself! Enjoy the extra sleep!
I don’t know how anyone runs regularly in temps over 75 degrees (that’s about my limit). So I think you made a totally reasonable decision. I also think 8:30 is super speedy. Great job!
I think that super speedy time is an AWESOME trade for all those miles and you still have superhero status in my book!! =)
Sleep, another good reason not to do a marathon. I’ve been getting the itch to do my first and almost went for a 15 mile run recently to get the thought out of my mind
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Love it!
I’ve battled with so many knee problems that I finally FINALLY got it through my head that I have to stop completely. Unfortunately, at this point, I’ve gotten over the desire to go from event to event. As much as I miss the event atmosphere and the dressing up for races, I’m finding that I don’t miss the hours of training – or paying out the ever increasing registration fees!
That IS speedy!! Great job on your 4 mile run! Sounds like you are making smart decisions for you!
Good decision! Every year I say this is the last one, next year I’ll take a break, but then other people train for a marathon and I get sucked in