May will come to an end today and with it the first five months of 2010.
Through the first five months of this year, I've ran 644 miles. That's an average of 129 miles per month, an average of roughly 30 miles per week.
As I look ahead to June and July, something is motivating me quite a bit. And that's not adding mileage to that.
It's rest.
I've been pondering rest for some time now but I think I've all but set my sights on a clean break from running as soon as I cross the finish line at San Francisco.
Don't get me wrong - I love to run. I love everything about it, but that's part of the point. I want to keep loving it. I want to look forward to my long runs, want to approach every run with vigor and excitement.
It's not that I haven't been lately but there have been parts of runs that I've been not enjoying. On Friday, I had a disastrous treadmill run. I was on there for an hour, but it was a chore to get there. I seriously wanted out after two minutes. I wasn't in the right frame of mind and I figured that since I'd run an hour on the 'mill a few days before that it was just a bit of treadmill overload.
Sunday morning I set out on a 12-14 miler and I just didn't feel like leaving the house. I felt like staying home with my family and spending a lazy Sunday morning at home. Now, once I got out and got to running, I felt great. I got in 13.1 miles and it really felt good. And I still got to spend plenty of time with my family.
But thinking about preparing for the Las Vegas Marathon kind of gives me an unsettling feeling. Since that race is in early December, that means I'd have to start back up in September and would have an 18-miler sometime in early October. Not that that doesn't sound enticing or anything but I believe I'd prefer to take it a little easier.
Part of this possible ease-up on running includes the start of the Loper season. The Lopers will start once again on Aug. 1 (right now it's more informal runs than anything) and I want to participate and run with the group from the beginning. With Kennedy going to school on Aug. 11 (YIPPEE!!!) I'm thinking of switching my long-run day to Tuesday or Wednesday, at least for a bit. Once the Lopers start getting up in mileage in late September then I'll go back to the Sunday long run of course. But I could probably squeeze in a 10-12 miler every Tuesday or Wednesday.
My racing calendar will pick back up in October as I've tentatively planned for the Long Beach Half Marathon (Oct. 17) and Ragnar Relay (Oct. 22-23), and then the Mission Inn Half Marathon shortly after (Nov. 7).
I would like to focus on those races as well. And I think re-charging my batteries come August will help set up a good final stretch of 2010 for me.
2 comments:
Taking a break is a good idea and as long as you have a plan for starting up again, it shouldn't be a problem.
You'll come back to your training refreshed and ready to get moving.
Totally agree with taking a break every now and then. Especially to spend more time with the family.
Post a Comment