[hobey]

<p>***WARNING - LOTS OF NAVEL GAZING AHEAD***</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who responded both here and on FB about me telling the marathon where to go and what to do when it got there. It reminded me of how strong this virtual support crew is and how lucky I am to have you. You guys are always there to pick me up, dust me off, and remind me that, despite the circumstances and the confidence crises, I’m still strong, still determined, and still a pretty good athlete.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">I’m sure it would be no surprise to any of you that I’m still holding a post mortem in my brain. Don’t get me wrong, I’m at peace with my decision to downgrade to the half marathon but it’s in my nature to try to figure out what went wrong, what I could have done better, and what I can take away from this. BrewDad and I have talked at length about this and being the wonderful<span> </span> husband that he is, said some things that I think on the surface were designed to make me feel better about how all this went down. Things like: “Only 1/3 of those who run marathons should be running them because the distance suits them. You’re not any less of a runner because you don’t go 26.2.” <span> </span>and as Ronbo also observed, “You’re not built like a long distance runner. Why do you think you’re so powerful on the bike?” <span> </span>And finally, “You know, I’m pretty sure you would have PR’d this marathon but you would have suffered more than you should and really would not have enjoyed it. And really, what the hell is the point of working you’re a$$ off to get a PR if you’re not happy about it and it leaves you emotionally drained?” That hit home. <span> </span>I had been having doubts already and it turned out BrewDad was too, given how Jekyll & Hyde my workouts have been but he wasn’t about to verbalize those doubts to me knowing full well that my innate stubbornness would take that as a challenge and I would carry-on with the marathon just to prove a point…a stupid, stupid point. He was protecting me from myself.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:medium;">This training cycle has had more that its share of ups and downs, more than usual with my post tib injury (which thankfully has healed), the hail and generally crappier than normal winter weather, and the sheer mental fortitude it takes to muster up the motivation to log the long miles solo. I was talking to another runner friend a few weeks ago and I happened to mention that I was already doubtful that the marathon was for me since it was hard logging all the solo miles and he said that had he not found his Saturday group, he would have likely stopped running marathons. <span> </span>I was hopeful back in December since it looked like I might have a group to train with through our running club, a group that looked to be going after various Spring marathons, but that all fell through due to various injuries, the desire for some folks to *only* run trails, geography, schedule, and just me not being able to find a pace buddy who was happy to run 9:45-10:15 for longer runs. It was either 9’s or faster (I wasn’t going to sign up for running most of my runs at MP or faster) or 12’s and slower for the Spring marathoners. Not much in between. Not to mention that most of my like-pace friends wouldn’t touch the marathon with a 10-ft-pole and were happy tooling along for 4-5 miles at a time and not running fast or racing or whatever. Oh the irony! I’m just a smidge faster than the median marathon time in the US and I can’t find anyone who has like goals and the willingness to train at more conservative paces. I’m on the damn bell curve in the freaking middle! No matter. I did this solo marathon training thing before. I can do it again…or something until the wheels fell off and I really didn’t want to put them back on. At least for 26.2. BrewDad seems to think that I’m in this weird 60th</span><span style="font-size:medium;">-percentile No Man’s Land where I’m faster than a lot of women in our peer group but still on the slower side such that guys who *should* be training at my pace won’t due to ego or some such weirdness. I’ve been lucky enough to find bike buddies (I’m looking at you Bannon, as well as some others) who I can hang with most of the time. These guys can drop me whenever but I like to think I have the legs to make them work harder than they planned to on any given day. If that’s not true, then please don’t correct my rosy view. I’m still searching for a similar group for running and I really envy those of you who have that.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">So where do I go from here? First off, just so I don’t waste this base I just built, I’m going to go after a half marathon PR in Eugene. It will be tough but I guarantee that this is a PR I can and will be happy about.</span> <span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">And after that? Well, what I think I’m going to do scares the crap out of me. You guys may remember that I declared a play year last year, sort of. I claimed to not have goals but I was still training as if I had goals and raced hard. My weeks were still<span> </span> structured into S/B/R x times per week. I just didn’t care about the pace. That gave me a physical break but not the mental break I probably needed. One could argue that I had no business earning my race wheels and PR’ing distances during a gap year. I’m going to try to do something new in that I just want to log 6-8 hours of “activity” each week. If I want to grind up to Skyline on Bella or Izzy, commute into work 4-5 times/week, TT around Sauvie Island, I will. If I want to toddle along for 3 miles at 12 m/m pace or go and hit the track for some speedwork, or race this 5 or 10K, I will. <span> </span>If I want to go to the pool…scratch that…never mind. I still don’t miss the pool even though I do miss my bike(s). <span> </span>No rhyme. No reason. No structure. No goals. And as someone who typically sets more tangible and measurable goals, I’m terrified at the vagueness of it all.</span></p>

 

[cak73]

<p>Sounds like this year might really be your "play" year.  Embrace it.  Can't wait to hear about it here!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Logging the miles solo is not easy.  Running in hail must be even less so.</p>
<p>I think, someday, you might find a marathon training plan and situation that will suit you better.  I don't mean that in a bad way, 'cuz you are a bada$$ athlete, but in an experimental approach sort of way.</p>

 

[Alaska Mike]

<p>The marathon is just a hell of a long time to be miserable if you're not happy doing it.  I think far too often people in our sport(s) figure that going long and slow is somehow better than shorter and faster.  In my opinion, its about pushing yourself to your limits at whatever distance makes you happy and/or you are best suited for.  Absolutely no shame in deciding that the marathon isn't the distance for you, none whatsoever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I do most of my breakthrough workouts by myself.  I'm naturally an introvert and I enjoy the opportunities for introspection during long runs, but its tough even for me.  When I'm in town I run with my buds every Tuesday and Thursday even though the pace is 30 sec to a min slower than my easy pace.  Social interaction is a big part of what I enjoy so much about this sport (which is strange for an introvert), plus it forces me to keep my easy days, well, easy.  Find time in your schedule to run with your buds, even if its 4 or 5 miles at a pace easier than what you think you need.  Your training won't suffer and you'll probably be much happier.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally, I find it extremely amusing that even in your 'play' season you still set a goal of 6-8 hours of activity.  Mmm, a bit goal oriented, are we?  I think you should set a stretch-target of just saying 'I'm going to work out when I damn well feel like it and I'm not going to workout if I don't!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck in the Eugene half!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mike</p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Congratulations, you just stepped off the path of the "one and done" short-term runner.  You know, the one who used to run and loves to tell the story of their marathon, but doesn't run anymore because of their knees, although they could probably stand to lose about 30 pounds (yeah, try 50 my friend) and could probably only run 5 or 6 miles at their old training pace of 8:45/mile despite having not gotten their heart rate above 135 for more than a minute in the past three years, and even that has only been in bed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You don't want to be one of those people.  You want to be a lifetime runner.  I'm glad you backed up and found the path that is right for you right now.  That other path will always be there if you want to try it again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>edit - Yes I know you've already run one, but it's the same path.  The path toward hating running and finding excuses to not do it anymore.</p>

 

[hobey]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Alaska Mike</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1993790"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Finally, I find it extremely amusing that even in your 'play' season you still set a goal of 6-8 hours of activity.  Mmm, a bit goal oriented, are we?  I think you should set a stretch-target of just saying 'I'm going to work out when I damn well feel like it and I'm not going to workout if I don't!"</p>
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<p>Ack! Baby steps! The thought of a blank training calendar is scary enough! I fear entropy if I embrace the stretch target.</p>
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<p>Cake - I really think I'm done with 26.2. It's funny that I always thought I'd have more time when Little BD got older. Yeah, right. School and the corresponding activities are a whole 'nother ball game. I have less time now especially working 45-55 hours/week. I'm amazed at all the Ironmen who can still train with kids and working full-time. I juggled as long as I could and now I've got to drop some balls.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Matt - Something tells me I need to get back in the pool. The injured runners I know keep saying they meet these old ladies while water running and alway underestimate ages by a good 15-20 years.</p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>With a full-time job and kid(s), it is not easy to train for a marathon properly, no doubt.  A weekend long run may be easier to squeeze in, but mid-week 1.5-2hr runs are the challenging ones when you are following a solid plan like the Pfitz's, looking for a certain finish time.  We (as in middle-aged females with no running background) need lots of time to cover 18+miles.  Heck, even to cover 12-13miles, it requires somewhere 2hrs.  It isn't easy to find taht 2hrs (+ whatever else goes with that much running), especially during winter months.  It is a long way of saying marathoning is not for everybody.  So, keep your head high!  There is no shame in realizing this distance may not be for you right now.</p>
<p>I am under the impression that running a marathon is not just a check-off the bucket list thing for you.  You want to nail a certain goal.  If that is the case, training for some halves (for a few years, maybe?) and bring down the time so that your full marathon training pace becomes 9-ish, where it sounds like you could find more people to train with.  Your son may be old enough to accompany you for some runs (on the bike?) by then.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Because of the work and family, I run by myself during a week most of the time.  I enjoy a company for a weekend long run, and I usually don't get hung up on the pace (as long as I can keep up with!), 1~1.5min/mile slower than my normal pace is fine as long as it is not every weekend.  However, social aspect of running is not that important to me.  After all, running is an individual sport and I simply can't arrange running with my friends every weekend with my/my family's schedule, and I am used to running alone.  If I needed to count on others to get me going with long runs, I would have stopped running a marathon after my first one. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for 'play season' and not having more tangible & measurable goals, I am kind of like you, I don't like 'vagueness' of whatever I am doing.  Though doing something (s/b/r) is a life style, I can't 'just work out'.  It wouldn't be as much fun.  To me, I have to have some sort of starting point and ending point, so that I can 'start all over again'.  So you can call this year a play season, but it may not be a bad idea to have some sort of 'target'.   Something new/different is good too.  Like off-road?  Like some crazy race where you have to swim with running shoes in your swimsuits and do 10 different legs of s/b/r?  Yeah, that is what I am doing this year.  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130255337393715"><img alt="wink.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130255337393714" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
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<p>Good luck finding some fun.          </p>
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[Thor]

<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">hobey,</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">A few pointed responses to what you've said or ideas brought up and then some generalized comments on the overall theme...</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">You talk about how hard it is logging long solo runs, and you mention it several times, and you even go on to say how a friend said he couldn't do what he does (presumably a marathoner) without group runs. You've heard me say this before in various forms (note plural, as in more than one time mentioned), but the truth is that I too would have no where near as many as 61 completed marathons if it were not for my insistence on group runs. And it's not just because it is more fun. I know I need the group runs, even if they are slower than I should be running for my target pace goals, in order to do what I do. Group runs keep it fun and cement this as lifestyle. I would have burned out long ago on running in general if not for social runs. Instead of dreading that next long run, I look forward to them and even miss them when the season is over. They provide a feedback mechanism that constantly takes all of your motivation and wraps it back around to you for yet more. Maybe you relax your goals in who you run with, and that's not to say run with slower people. Group runs are just that. The group finds a happy pace for all. And if it means you're the slowest, well, somebody has to be. Some runners are pretty selfish in not accounting for the slower ones, while others are very good at it. As for me, I make a point to either sit in the back of the pack so that I don't push pace or consciously figure out what works for all, and dial that in. It's the people. Not the runners. Find the right people. Pace isn't as important. Even if it means training for a marathon and doing all of your long runs faster than you should. Should? That's just it. If one way is more fun, who cares about 'should'?! Seek fun.</span></div>
<div> </div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">You say that last year when you had a similar "realization" you decided to have a play year but wound up still going hard. And then you say that it wasn't the break you needed. And I agree. And for the mental/physical thing you mention. And it was either because you were burned out at that time, and you sort of still are, or that you really haven't found what you truly enjoy. Because otherwise these things aren't issues.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">General comments on the overall...</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">I think that if you had someone to run with during this marathon training season, you would have run the marathon. You likely would not have been as burnt as you are now. But you are probably burnt now because, well, you never fully rested the mind last year when you in fact thought you were. So this is probably just a continuation of that which never went away. Just a guess.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">You've got substantial base right now to run well in the half. If short distances are your thing, go for it. But I suspect there's something else going on. Because otherwise you probably wouldn't be writing about it. And I bet there is something else but that you don't know what it is either.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">Maybe the no structure, no goals approach will let you truly play and have more fun. I say, do just that, but when the urge strikes, really and truly... go with it. Even if it has you hiking a long dirt trail when you would have at first thought you might enjoy running better, or hoping on a mountain bike when you already have an expensive road bike sitting idle. Or.. or.. you get the idea. And continue to follow that. Don't get sucked back into the "I have to do three sports" mode where you just go through the motions.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">But find something you can latch on to. Most people are programmed that way, and I believe, from what I've learned of you, you do better that way too.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">If it is burn out we're talking about, we all at one point or another fall into this category. I, for one, am one with it, as I've been there done that over my sports active career. Take Ironman. I hit Ironman and triathlon so hard and did it for so long that when I finally got injured with the pinched nerve, it took me a good year of trying and trying again to come back. Finally I accepted that although I enjoy many aspects of it, training for Ironman like I was was so taxing that it was no longer the fun it was in my first 5 years in the sport. I didn't want to do it for fun, and honestly I never wanted to after my first Ironman. I had goals. I achieved many of them. And I was going for more. But when I couldn't do it anymore, I found that although I wanted to get back... I didn't need to. I was actually content with what I accomplished. And I was fine saying that. I don't miss swimming. There are aspects of it that I do, but by and large, no. The bike I like, and always have, but I have other goals in running that make it easy to skip on the bike. Goals evovle. What we find fun and challenging evolve. So the key, I believe, is to keep on the ball of what is fun AND challenging. Fun is fun but it is the challenging part that will have you setting goals and coming back for more. My new flavor the year is mountain running and trails. That will change. Maybe next up is going back to 5ks, or maybe doing ultras, or running across the US, or giving up running entirely and picking up something else. Be passionate about what you do, which is another way to say, do things that you are passionate about. Because if you can be passionate about it, you obviously don't want to do it or there are competing interests or goals.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;">Just some stray thoughts that might help you settle your own. Ignore if I'm off base. And go smash that half! Half are a great distance, especially when compared to long course triathlon training or marathon training. short and sweet and manageable workouts and durations. Unless of couse you find a good group to run with. Personally, I'd love to see you find a group to run with, and go into it with only a goal of running with others. Other goals will quickly materialize. But don't push them. Let them come to you. And don't just assume the goals of others in the group.</span></div>

 

[Thor]

<p>Also, being a social runner and reaping the benefits of it doesn't necessarily mean doing long runs socially. If you run, like Mike, two days a week with others and only go shorter, trust me, that is a recipe for longevity too. Mix both and it is lifestyle cemented. There are no bad or slow runs when social. They just are. Do them all solo, and of course you have bad runs.</p>

 

[juliemboyle]

<p>I feel for you and it sounds from what you have written that you made the right decision for you.  I know for me when I started racing (both running & tris) that my type A personality wanted to go straight to the long distances.........a sprint, an Oly, a HIM, maybe Iron?  I loved training for the sprint/oly and really enjoyed the year of training that led up to my one and only HIM.  But I realized after training for that HIM that I couldn't do that all the time.  I couldn't balance the training with my job and my responsibilities as a Mom.  It is weird that as my boys got older in some sense I have more time but with all the activites it is harder.  I am training for a half right now and on Mondays I have to look at the weather for the week, my work schedule, the sport schedule and then tweak when my runs can fit in, it's hard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For me, when training became one more thing to stress about in my life (instead of joyful) I knew I had to make some changes.  For the last few years I have focused on a few HM and an Oly or 2 and I'm good with that.  I am doing a century ride this summer for the first time ever and am really excited about something new.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will also say that after I worked so hard training last year for my HM PR at the end of last summer I was burnt out.  So I truly had a "play period" from end of August until beginning of Feb.  I had no training plan and my only goal was to stay active and do what I felt like doing every day.  I started weight training and doing interval cardio workouts, P90X, plyometrics.  Ran with my friend Cari when I felt like it.  Some weeks I ran 4 days, some 2 days.  Went for long walks, did a few sessions with Coach Troy.  It was so stressfree to not follow an actual plan for a few months.  I ended up working out 6-7 days a week but it was so nice to wake up and just do what I felt like that day and to not "have to do a tempo run" or "have to do a long run".  In Feb when I was ready to start a formal training plan again, I was eager to get back on track after having a nice mental break.  Maybe that is just what you need..........just do what you feel like when you wake up that morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ps.........I thought I would lose a lot of running/biking fitness doing this (and didn't care by the way) BUT I didn't.  All the strength and core work kept me strong and fast and I didn't notice much if any loss of speed/strength.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>

 

[xflbk43]

<p>It takes courage and strength to do what you are doing.  Most people don't have what it takes to say, "this is more than I can handle." The difference is, you CAN handle it, you just won't have fun doing it.  As Mike says above it doesn't matter if you set a PR, if you don't enjoy it, it isn't worth it.  You've gotta do what's right for you.  These events are supposed to be fun and that is the thing so many people forget.  Except for a handful of people on this board, we aren't even close to being pros, so there's really no reason to suffer through something that you don't enjoy.</p>

 

[hobey]

<p>You all have given me a lot to chew on. Thank you! Most of all for reminding me that this is all about fun and to f- it if it starts stressing me out. Lord knows I don't need another stressor in my life.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tri-Tammy]

<p>There is a lot of great stuff here Hobey! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I know two things about you: 1. you create a goal and then seek and destroy it.  2. you are a very social person. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Knowing this (especially when it comes to point #2) I can see why you are where you are today.  It's just really hard to go out, day after day, week after week, and train for long hours by ourselves.  That's why so many of us bike/swim in groups and run with partners. (And if I recall, why you don't have another long course tri in your future plans) </p>
<p>Training with others allows us to challenge and get challenge, find friends and have fun.  I know you love the social side of all of this. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for #1.....</p>
<p>Yea, last year wasn't really a break from your heat seeking missions.  I think it just intensified it. <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243614"><img alt="wink.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243613" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">  </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>I do hear your fear of not having something to work towards, something to work for. </span> So, where to go, what to do?  I know that you've got some very social ideas/goals in the back of your head that you've been pondering.. ie. relays, long bike weekends.   Why not?  I happen to know quite a few people who'd be right there with you.  Just having fun.  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243625"><img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243624" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>And lastly, do what makes you happy.  You deserve it you know? </span></p>
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[hobey]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Tri-Tammy</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1993959"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I know that you've got some very social ideas/goals in the back of your head that you've been pondering.. ie. relays, long bike weekends.   Why not?  I happen to know quite a few people who'd be right there with you.  Just having fun.  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243625"><img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_8_130262337243624" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
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<p><br><br>
Heh...I just sent these links to BrewDad: <a href="http://cycleumpqua.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1f497d;"><span style="color:#800080;font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">http://cycleumpqua.com/default.aspx</span></span></a> and <a href="http://www.cycleoregon.com/weekend-ride/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800080;font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">http://www.cycleoregon.com/weekend-ride/</span></a>.</p>
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<p>And what about an OR Coast Ride from Astoria to Baker City?</p>
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<p>Yes, I miss my bike. What of it?!?</p>
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[Tri-Tammy]

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>hobey</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1993961"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><p><br><br>
Heh...I just sent these links to BrewDad: <a href="http://cycleumpqua.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1f497d;"><span style="color:#800080;font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">http://cycleumpqua.com/default.aspx</span></span></a> and <a href="http://www.cycleoregon.com/weekend-ride/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800080;font-family:Calibri;font-size:medium;">http://www.cycleoregon.com/weekend-ride/</span></a>.</p>
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<p>And what about an OR Coast Ride from Astoria to Baker City?</p>
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<p>Yes, I miss my bike. What of it?!?</p>
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You've got it!</p>
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[mrscoby78]

<p>This has me thinking a lot too.  But I don't really know how to verbalize it.</p>
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<p>Anyway, I feel you Hobey. </p>

 

[kristine25]

<p>I so hope you know you are not alone!!!!  I gave a big long speech to my buddy who is going to Oliver with me this year.  She was getting up at 4:30am three times a week, twice for swimming and once for strength training.  And....she is a stay at home mom.  She was simply burned out.  I told her something similar that I put on your FB post about this...if it isn't fun, why do it?  I remember years ago someone back at Cool Running said something that has stuck with me through all these years.  It can't just be about the race because you can never be sure what is gonna happen on race day.  It has to be at least as much about the training, and probably more.  Life is short...play hard but it has to feel like play at least most of the time.  I was so greatful this marathon cycle to have what I had been missing, a solid training partner.  You need to find someone at your pace, with your schedule, and you have to like them.  It's hard to find all those three things together and training is much harder without it.  Maybe you could clobber BD in the knees so you can slow that guy down a bit to run with you!  LOL!  And a year of doing what you want to do when you want to do it, that sounds fun!!!!</p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>I have never ever ever thought of it this way.  It has ALWAYS been about the race.  Well, and my pant size.  But mostly about the race.</p>
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<p>You have given me lots to think about.  This is why I love ya'll.<br>
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>kristine25</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1994746"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br>
  It can't just be about the race because you can never be sure what is gonna happen on race day.  It has to be at least as much about the training, and probably more. </div>
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[hobey]

<p>You know Scoobs, there's nothing wrong with it being about the race. We're all here to some extent because of the race. We just need to decide what "the race" means. I fell into the trap of thinking, "I'm a runner/triathlete. I should run marathons or do HIMs/IMs." I can't really tell you *why* I thought that but I see many athletes who do fall into that same exact trap.</p>
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<p>The best analogy I can come up with re: Kristine's point about also having it be about the training is to characterize yourself as a "project" person who is focused on results or a "process" person who is all about what it takes to get to the result. I'm a project person to the nth degree, very results-oriented. I actually hate road trips because I can't wait to get to the destination. Wandering around on the way drives me crazy. I approach everything in my life the same way. But you have to at least enjoy some of the "process" in order to get to the "project" and it's taken me this long to realize what I enjoy in training and racing. In training, I like 12-15 mile long runs. I like doing tempos and cruise intervals. Track? Not so much. I like the 30-45 mile bike rides and ten mile TT efforts. I'm still not talking about the pool. <img alt="rolleyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif"> That's the type of training I find fun because I feel recharged and ready to take on the other parts of my life that demand time. You know, important things like my family, work, and other hobbies. The longer training efforts just left me feeling drained and tired. Because I enjoy these efforts in training, I've learned that the middle distances in both running and tris are where I can balance the training with the result. I'm happiest with race efforts maxing at 2 hours for running (so 15K-HM) and about 3 hours for tris (olys). Any longer, and it becomes a painful slog that I just don't enjoy anymore. I actually went back and pulled up my RR from my one, and likely only HIM. I should have read that before I decided to sign up for a marathon:</p>
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<div>Finally, the culmination of the "Year of Going Long". It started with a marathon and ended with a half Ironman. I learned a lot about myself, what I like, and what I don't like about this crazy sport of ours...I've accepted that the first mile of any tri is going to suck. But I've never experienced the mind-numbing fatigue that I experienced after a 56 mile bike ride...Overall, this was a very positive experience and I'm glad I did it. However, I ceased having fun about an hour before I actually finished. It became an almost unbearable slog at that point. I loved the bike course (yes, I'm a masochist) and if the run was about 8 miles, I'd be ecstatic and ready to sign up for more. So for all those who thought I'd love this distance, well, love is a strong word. BrewDad actually asked me if I hated it. And hate is an equally strong word. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. But I admit, at this point, it's not my favorite...Call me crazy but I like the pain of racing at redline far more than the pain of the long slog.</div>
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<p>I think it was Dougie who posted on FB yesterday "Every year I watch the Boston Marathon and think, what if ..." This was actually the first year I myself did NOT think that and you know what, I'm OK with it. I will continue to admire and support all you marathoners and long course triathletes but it's time for ME to have fun again. I saw a shirt once that said, "13.1 Isn't Half of Anything!" And aside from the true literal interpretation, that sentiment was right. It's 13.1 more miles than most people will ever *RUN* in their lives. I'm just going to work on running them as fast as I can now and maybe even faster.</p>
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<p>I love you guys! </p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>This.<br>
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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>hobey</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1995498"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I fell into the trap of thinking, "I'm a runner/triathlete. I should run marathons or do HIMs/IMs." I can't really tell you *why* I thought that but I see many athletes who do fall into that same exact trap.
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<p>I somehow didn't feel like a "real" runner until I completed a marathon.  I did it, and I was thrilled to tears.  Now I think "Well, shit, Oprah finished faster than me, so I'm STILL not a real runner."  I still don't feel like a "real" triathlete.  I've done 2 sprints and a shortened Oly.  I don't know that I'll ever complete an Ironman (as badly as I want to say I have) or even a half IM.  As much as I want to do things things, I don't know that I'm made for them.  Or maybe I'm physically made for them, but I'm too tired/lazy/busy to train properly.</p>
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<p>Will I ever be satisfied?  Will I ever feel like I've accomplished something?  I don't know.   I come here, and I compare myself to all of you, and I do <em>nothing</em> in relation to the amount of training and racing you all do.  Should I think like that?  Probably not.  Every year watching Boston, I too think "what if" and "maybe someday", but I also think that may not be realistic.  I compare myself to my former self - an all-state, scholarship athlete.  I'm not the runner I once was, and most likely never will be again.  The has-been pill is tough to swallow.</p>
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<p>I hate probably 75% of training...especially the bike.  I loathe long runs.  Part of this is due to the training partner issues you too are experiencing.  I do it because I love to race.  I love the finish line.  I love beating my previous bests.  I love saying "I'm a runner/marathoner/triathlete".  I wear those labels with pride. </p>
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<p>What will it take for me to feel good about what I do?  Reaching a certain time?  Finishing a certain distance?  Hardware?  I have no freaking idea.</p>
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[hobey]

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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>mrscoby78</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73417/the-60th-percentile-long#post_1995521"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I somehow didn't feel like a "real" runner until I completed a marathon.  I did it, and I was thrilled to tears.  </p>
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OMG. Get out of my head! I felt the same way after finishing my first marathon, but (isn't there always a but) I was so close to sub-4 that I felt I needed to get that 3 in front of my PR to feel like I've arrived. I say that now and realize how immensely stupid that sounds. Maybe some of it is because the bulk of the population who don't run or bike or swim or do all three just don't get it. They don't get the effort it takes to excel regardless of distance. It's all about quantity over quality with them. We've self-selected ourselves into a pretty elite group of the population and we all know there are different levels within our own athlete population. We all get that it takes a hella lot of hard work to race a 5K or a marathon well. And we're all real runners/athletes. I mean, no one is going to tell Usain Bolt that he isn't a real runner because he only runs 100 m at a time.</p>