Sunday’s race is 5 days away. I’m excited, but dreading what lies ahead. This race is unique to the area, 10 miles with 3 miles of climbing in the first 5. Mile 4 is steep and raises my HR as high as I can stand. Frankly it’s painful. Just as I’m sure I will not be able to tolerate any more abuse, the road levels, drops and starts a series of rollers.
Last year was my first time, having ran the associated 5K three other years. I remember watching with fascination as the 10 mile racers started finishing at the hour mark with a steady stream at 1:20-1:40.
So in 2008 I had to race it. The experience was incredible, once I crested the long hill I was on fire, filled with exhilaration for having made it. Yes, the last 2 miles were tough but I had conquered the mountain, and powered the long downhill, so my leaden legs followed my desire to push to the finish.
This year feels different. Perhaps I’ve lined up for too many long races and have lost the fire that drives me to attack this climb.
Yet, I vividly recall my elation as I left behind the pain of the uphill and began screaming down the mountain through the brown leaf carpet, not caring if I slipped, just wanting to go faster.
That is the picture I will hold close for the next 5 days. The fire I’ll feel in my legs and lungs will consume this picture, leaving embers that stay with me until they are useful once again.
Categories: Running, Biking, Swimming and the Triathlon
A very rainy day here in Northeast, leaves are falling like orange and red snow, beautiful in a different way. My phone buzzed, it was my flying and running bud, “hey… I starting my run because it’s gonna rain all afternoon” I call him back and thank him for the heads up. My thinly disguised sarcasm worked, 30 minutes later we began running on the Lehigh Parkway, midst the humidity and drizzle. Notwithstanding the weather, the setting was perfect but I was still feeling a week of hill running and heavy leg work in the gym. After 3 miles, I decided to cut my workout short and finish with 5.5 miles, and saved myself by encouraging him to go for the full 6 at whatever pace he could muster. Off we split and I was never so happy to see him go. I finished at a moderate pace, pleased with myself for having run at all. Five minutes later he ran into the parking at full throttle effort, bound and determined to finish strong. Me, not so determined, just content.
At the obligatory lunch we rehashed old races and plotted new ones. I forced myself to the pool, hoping perhaps some minor calamity closed it for the afternoon. No such luck, entering the pool area I see one man my age swimming in the middle lane, doing laps, seemingly without effort. I struggled for my planned 30 minutes and managed to swim a whopping 350 yards. Let’s think about this, for a half iron distance triathlon, one needs to swim 1.2 miles. Clearly, I have some work to do.
Help is on the way, I’m going to be working with triathlon coach, one who has the resources to help me learn how to swim. I didn’t try to teach myself how to fly some 33 years ago, so why would I think I can teach myself to swim long distances? I hope it doesn’t take 30 years to become as comfortable in the water as I am in the air; I may run out of time.
Returning home with a vision of finishing the day with a bike ride, a rather intense clap of thunder pushed that thought away. Impending nightfall and steady rain caused me to revise my plan and so ended my Saturday endurance activities.
While not a day to dream over, I’m pleased that I was able to push myself to get swimming. No zeros in the Gram Slam ‘09 column and I’m eager to actually learn how to swim.
Categories: Classic 52DC '09
After 3 days have passed I have a good feeling about this challenge. My goals are consistent with my longer term plans to focus on endurance events in 2010-11. That said, I have jumped back into a simple, but effective powerlifting routine, Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1, and after just 4 days feel better. I enjoy lifting weights, and heavier is better, as least for me. Now that I’m scaling back my running, it’s time to restore some strength, reduce fat and prepare for next year’s running and triathlon season.
We’ve enjoyed some good questions in just three days of posting. Today’s question was something on the order of “What have you accomplished that you thought was impossible?” In my post I replied by stating I have flown airplanes that I never dreamed I could and I have run a half marathon or three. Some of the other posters mentioned their education accomplishments, post grad work, all stuff to make one proud. Funny, I didn’t think to list my return to complete my undergraduate degree at 53. I mention this because I’m struck by the fleeting nature of goals. What seems so important at one stage in life, becomes strikingly less important when either accomplished or passed over for newer pursuits.
Post script to our host’s reply, he mentioned flying a P-51 as a dream goal, I managed to get a ride in one last June. I can only imagine how frightened yet thrilled young pilots might have felt some 56 years ago as they pushed the throttle forward for takeoff.
Now for less ethereal notes. To reach my goals, I must concentrate on eating for fuel, not just because I love to eat. It’s not that I haven’t been eating clean, but the extras have to go if I want to see less bodyfat. It’s tough to train hard for endurance events and lose weight, without any A races upcoming, it’s a good time to make some dietary changes.
As for workouts, I’ll run to train, bike for rehab, swim for technique and lift weights for strength and to support the fat loss program. Sounds like a plan!
Categories: Classic 52DC '09
