Jemez 50K Training, Week 6: Do I Have To?
There comes a time in each training season when I start to feel a little bored with running. This week was one of those weeks. Running felt more like something I had to do rather than something I got to do. I’ve always disliked having to do certain things, when schedules and routines become more of a grudge than something to keep me on track, and this feeling tends to surface once I reach the mid-portion of a training plan. I knew the feeling would eventually pass, however, as it always does, so I put my head down and just kept going. That’s what we runners do, after all.
And as I used to tell my fifth grade students when they asked if they had to do their homework: No, the only thing you have to do is die. Everything else is optional. After puzzled silence and my pointed teacher look, they almost always understood exactly what I meant.
This week I kept the mileage about the same as last week because of this coming weekend’s half marathon. Best of all I finally got to run on trails again, though we didn’t run as far as I would have liked. Those long trail runs are in my very near future, though, so I will certainly appreciate being able to put in just enough miles to finish in time for a late breakfast and still have the rest of the day to enjoy.
Thursday’s beautiful sunset with the Dallas skyline in the background.
MON: Rest Day – Pure day of rest. Loveliness!
TUE: Tempo Run – 6 mi, Yoga – 40:00 – Damn that Liz! Today’s tempo run felt like a race, and we kept either an 8:41 or an 8:48 average, depending on whose watch you went by. Since our morning attempt at running was rained out, we met at the lake for a late afternoon run instead, which was a nice change. It was cloudy, chilly, and perfect for a tempo run. I felt guilty for doing absolutely nothing athletic yesterday, so I did a double yoga program of standing poses and twists. I also signed up for the Grasslands trail marathon in Decatur, about 1.5 hrs drive from here, on March 23. I figure it will be good training for Jemez.
WED: Easy Run – 5.3 mi, Yoga – 20:00 – Had an upset stomach in the morning, so Liz and I changed our plans and met Bill in the late afternoon for an easy run at the lake. The weather could not have been more perfect for an afternoon run. Liz and I could definitely feel the aftereffects of yesterday’s fast tempo run. Talk about some fatigued legs!
THU: Hill Run – 6 mi – Liz was having some hip flexor pain, and I was having some stomach issues again this morning, so I wound up running solo in the afternoon. I stuck to the hilly path and kept a pretty good pace, and was rewarded with a gorgeous sunset at the finish. My boredom with running continues, so it was tough to run on my own. It was 70 degrees when I started the run, and hard to believe it is still winter.
The valentine I was treated to on Thursday evening.
FRI: Yoga – 40:00 – Left quad a little sore, so I did an extended set of yoga: forward bends and hip openers. I had the thought today that no matter what happens with my running as I get older, I will do yoga for the rest of my life.
SAT: Long Run – 15 mi – It doesn’t get much better than this. 32 degrees, no wind, and a perfect blue sky overhead. Hills at the beginning and end, 15 miles to keep it real, and good friends for laughs and companionship. We are so lucky to get to do this.
SUN: Trail Run – Oak Cliff Nature Preserve – 5.6 mi – It was another stunningly beautiful morning, perfect for a trail run. It warmed up quickly, we had the trails entirely to ourselves, and things just could have not been more perfect. I took an easy fall right after I made fun of Hari’s non-glamorous way of breaking his rib. It was one of those falls where one minute you’re talking and the next you’re staring at the ground, wondering what happened. I chalk it up to instant karma for making fun of Hari. Actually, those stupid little stumps that jut out from the sides of the trail seem to take me down more than anything else. We had some brand new trail runners in our group today and it was fun to see their excitement. Breakfast afterwards at Norma’s more than compensated for any calorie loss and the indignity of falling down, yet again.
Stats for WEEK 6: Run – 38 miles, Yoga – 1:40:00
RUN NATURE 
Looks like you had a good week! I am also in the “do I have to?” phase. I seriously stood in my room, still in my PJs, deciding whether or not to go run. I ended up going and was happy I did. But yeah, I’m kind of ready to just run whenever I want again!
The hardest part is getting out the door. Even though the run may not always be the greatest, I have never once regretted a run once it was over. And NOT having a training plan can make me even lazier!
True. I like training plans because it makes me get out and run. I need that extra motivation sometimes.
Me, too! I complain about them but they keep me on track.
Beautiful photo. I totally get what you mean about the have to thing. We’re in the middle of our wet season and I’ve had a couple of races cancelled so struggle a bit with getting out training. But am going to take a leaf out of your book and trust it will pass
It will, Andrew. Feeling crappy during a run is still much better than the guilt trip of skipping a run.
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve?! I didn’t know there was such a thing. Gorgeous views!! I will have to venture out there sometime.
It is just west of the Hampton/Illinois intersection and is really pretty. I grew up not far from there and couldn’t believe it the first time I ran there!
At least you have some gorgeous scenery to look at?
I’ve been in a similar funk, but did a big run yesterday and think I’ve broken through it… I “put my head down and just kept going” 🙂
We are very lucky to have a beautiful lake almost in the heart of the city. I feel much better after Saturday’s long run and Sunday’s trail run. Glad to hear you’re feeling a little better.
I really enjoy reading your blog. You are quite the inspiration.
Thank you so much. I enjoy your blog as well!
I’ve accepted that falling is part of trail running. It’s always the flats that get me!
Same here. I used to worry about falling down, now I just acccept that it’s going to happen every once in awhile and try not to worry about it. I have two friends who have fallen in the past few months and both have broken fingers. Both had to have surgery. Both also say they will continue to run trails.
Sometimes you keep going because you know you’ll get over the funk, not because it’s all feeling good. I’ve been feeling this a bit lately as well. Trying to figure out how/why I love running. This week has been better, last week was more of a chore. I’m glad you’ve had some good runs (training still sounds like it’s going very well) and some good yoga too!
This week was better for me as well, mainly because I know I get to take three days off before my half marathon this weekend. I’m really looking forward to a break!