So I think I've been coming to the realization that I'm stuck in a bit of a rut, both mentally and physically. It all started a little when I pulled out of the Pig, but I was able to write that off to one of those external factors that you can't control. But now it's really come to a head since a disappointing 6th place finish (15:03) in the Lou Cox 5k this past weekend.
I finished one place out of the money, ran horribly uneven splits, a couple seconds slower than the week before, and lost to some guys I know I need to able to run with. Now, I can always make the explanation that I've been doing marathon-specific training, so it's only natural that my 5k conditioning would slip. But even so...I know some of the guys who beat me run marathons (faster than I've run), so that's no excuse for me not to be up there as well.
Looking back, this first year on the road racing circuit after graduating from college has been less than satisfactory. In the two main races I've really trained for, I crashed and burned at Chicago and DNF'd the Pig. Really, I've had a lot more races I haven't been pleased with that races I have been pleased with. Maybe my expectations are too high. Maybe my level of training hasn't been quite up to snuff.
Maybe it's a little of both.
As for my expectations, I think I need to take a more humble approach to my races. I mean, I'm the most humble person I know (that's supposed to be a joke). But in all seriousness, in college I expected to win every race I entered, barring races that had great competition. And I did win a few races here and there. Making the transition to road racing, there are a lot more competitors out there, which means a lot of people a lot better than those I faced in college.
So enough with going to races expecting to be the top dog. How about going out there and actually proving it on the course? I feel that's a much better approach. Just because I was a small-time hotshot in college doesn't mean anyone going to give me anything out there. It's time to realize that many of these guys are much better than me, and if I want to be the best I gotta go out and earn it.
Which leads perfectly into why I need to be training better. I probably should have done more work for the Pig, and that's something I'm working on. I've been perusing the internet and books and Runner's World (I'm slightly ashamed to admit) looking for killer marathon workouts. Putting together a training calendar for a fall marathon is actually a lot of fun, and I'm really excited to be experimenting with different workouts. Of course, I'm always willing to accept any more professional input.
And that also made me reconsider my long-term goals. Am I willing to sacrifice 5k and 10k performances for the marathon? Marathon training generally doesn't develop the VO2max system that one needs to run a fast 5k or 10k. Now that I've done some pondering, the short answer is yes.
The marathon is one of those glamorous events, like the mile and 100 dash, that get all the attention. And I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't like that attention. I'm set on the Olympic Marathon Trials 2016; if that's the case the the marathon has to be priority #1, 5k/10k be damned. I had contemplated a little compromise, spending some time focusing on the marathon and then other time building for a 5k or 10k. Nope. That's not gonna work. If the marathon is the goal, then there aren't compromises to be made. So yeah, 5k and 10k performances are probably going to suffer a little, and that's something I need to realize (going back to expectations a little). But that's because it's all about the marathon here.
The biggest thing I need training-wise is people to run with. I'm going a little stir-crazy (clearly) doing everything on my own. What I really want are some training partners, or even a training group. It's always so much easier with people who share similar goals. I'm not 100% sold on the Earth Drummers here in Cincinnati, mostly because they only meet once a week for a workout that may or may not even be appropriate in my training plan. (There are other reason too, including financial one and grad school class conflicts). But hey, a couple of those guys have kicked my ass recently, so maybe that's something I should look into a little more.
Or maybe I should say, screw that...if they're not doing what's best for me, then I'll organize my own group. Either way, I need to fins people to run with, at least a few times a week. And whether it's with the Earth Drummers or with local guys I know from college and stuff, that's going to have to involve being a little outgoing. Not exactly my strong suit.
Hell, I'd even welcome company on from friends on a bike!
So anyway, I guess that's my self-assessment of my first season post-college. And while this post may have been more cathartic than anything, it's definitely nice to get some direction on things I need to work on.
I finished one place out of the money, ran horribly uneven splits, a couple seconds slower than the week before, and lost to some guys I know I need to able to run with. Now, I can always make the explanation that I've been doing marathon-specific training, so it's only natural that my 5k conditioning would slip. But even so...I know some of the guys who beat me run marathons (faster than I've run), so that's no excuse for me not to be up there as well.
Looking back, this first year on the road racing circuit after graduating from college has been less than satisfactory. In the two main races I've really trained for, I crashed and burned at Chicago and DNF'd the Pig. Really, I've had a lot more races I haven't been pleased with that races I have been pleased with. Maybe my expectations are too high. Maybe my level of training hasn't been quite up to snuff.
Maybe it's a little of both.
As for my expectations, I think I need to take a more humble approach to my races. I mean, I'm the most humble person I know (that's supposed to be a joke). But in all seriousness, in college I expected to win every race I entered, barring races that had great competition. And I did win a few races here and there. Making the transition to road racing, there are a lot more competitors out there, which means a lot of people a lot better than those I faced in college.
So enough with going to races expecting to be the top dog. How about going out there and actually proving it on the course? I feel that's a much better approach. Just because I was a small-time hotshot in college doesn't mean anyone going to give me anything out there. It's time to realize that many of these guys are much better than me, and if I want to be the best I gotta go out and earn it.
Which leads perfectly into why I need to be training better. I probably should have done more work for the Pig, and that's something I'm working on. I've been perusing the internet and books and Runner's World (I'm slightly ashamed to admit) looking for killer marathon workouts. Putting together a training calendar for a fall marathon is actually a lot of fun, and I'm really excited to be experimenting with different workouts. Of course, I'm always willing to accept any more professional input.
And that also made me reconsider my long-term goals. Am I willing to sacrifice 5k and 10k performances for the marathon? Marathon training generally doesn't develop the VO2max system that one needs to run a fast 5k or 10k. Now that I've done some pondering, the short answer is yes.
The marathon is one of those glamorous events, like the mile and 100 dash, that get all the attention. And I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't like that attention. I'm set on the Olympic Marathon Trials 2016; if that's the case the the marathon has to be priority #1, 5k/10k be damned. I had contemplated a little compromise, spending some time focusing on the marathon and then other time building for a 5k or 10k. Nope. That's not gonna work. If the marathon is the goal, then there aren't compromises to be made. So yeah, 5k and 10k performances are probably going to suffer a little, and that's something I need to realize (going back to expectations a little). But that's because it's all about the marathon here.
The biggest thing I need training-wise is people to run with. I'm going a little stir-crazy (clearly) doing everything on my own. What I really want are some training partners, or even a training group. It's always so much easier with people who share similar goals. I'm not 100% sold on the Earth Drummers here in Cincinnati, mostly because they only meet once a week for a workout that may or may not even be appropriate in my training plan. (There are other reason too, including financial one and grad school class conflicts). But hey, a couple of those guys have kicked my ass recently, so maybe that's something I should look into a little more.
Or maybe I should say, screw that...if they're not doing what's best for me, then I'll organize my own group. Either way, I need to fins people to run with, at least a few times a week. And whether it's with the Earth Drummers or with local guys I know from college and stuff, that's going to have to involve being a little outgoing. Not exactly my strong suit.
Hell, I'd even welcome company on from friends on a bike!
So anyway, I guess that's my self-assessment of my first season post-college. And while this post may have been more cathartic than anything, it's definitely nice to get some direction on things I need to work on.
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