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| First race in a month (Read 217 times) |
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posted: 2/10/2008 at 6:37 PM |
I signed up for our local St. Paddy's Day Dash, on 3/16/08. This race is 3.5 miles. I can run 3 miles, sort of, getting better, and I'm not all that concerned about the distance - I have no visions of being first, or even in the first half - I'll be happy to finish!! My concern is the time of day. I run primarily in the evenings, and my race is in the morning. I ran this morning and it SUCKED.  It was so painful. I was tired almost immediately. Granted, I haven't been running in the past 10 days but I'm not in bad shape. I know they say the only way to train your body to run in the morning is to just run in the morning. But does anybody have any other tips? I can't run every morning during the week... I am going to get in one or two of those, but I already have to get up at 5:15am for work. I'll switch weekends to morning runs, and like I said do at least one in the morning during the week.
But does anyone have any tips, other than "just do it"? I can get up and go, motivation is not great but not bad. But how do you DO IT, you know? I was tired, breathing too heavy, sore, etc. I had to stop a few more times than usual and it was frustrating!! Any mental tricks, something of that nature?
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| Michelle |
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posted: 2/10/2008 at 7:00 PM |
First of all, congratulations on signing up for your first race. I hate racing, but I run a few every year and always learn something about myself and about running that I wouldn't learn otherwise.
In terms of the morning race time, a couple of factors will come in to play. You said today was your first run in 10 days, and I suspect that was as big a factor in your frustration today as switching from evenings to mornings. I run in the evenings during the week and even though my intentions are good, generally don't make it out until late morning or mid-afternoon on the weekends either. I'm a teacher and I work afternoons in the summer, so I switch to super-early morning runs during the summer - the only thing I hate more than getting up early is the heat, but avoiding mid-day temps is a real motivator.
I'd say that a few weekend morning training runs between now and the race will serve you well.
Also, you'll have lots of adrenaline to help get you moving on race day! Good luck and have fun!
Eliz |
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posted: 2/10/2008 at 9:44 PM |
Michelle,
As far as the race goes, you tried to run harder than what you are trained for. I don't think the morning was the issue. If your log is correct, you aren't running much at all so your aerobic conditioning (running) needs to improve. Focus on conistency. Sounds like your schedule is tough. Do 20-30 min twice per week, a longer run (work up to this) on weekend and any other runs you can fit it.
Motivation for you is, wanting to do fun runs without dying and being in pain. Or perhaps it's better health, weight control.......You can do this. |
| Those who try, fail! Those who do what it takes to succeed, succeed!! |
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posted: 2/10/2008 at 10:24 PM |
Michelle,
I'm the same as Eliz. I generally run after work during the week & late morning to early afternoon on the weekends. I wouldn't worry too much about the morning race. The adrenelin and excitement of the race will get you through. I don't feel that the morning vs afternoon makes that much of a difference on race day.
I'm sure you'll do fine.
Vicki |
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posted: 2/11/2008 at 12:39 AM |
Tchuck - you are right, I haven't been running much lately but I dont think the 3 miles was the problem. I'm fairly active but don't put everything in the log, mostly only the runs. I know, I know... running isn't like other sports. I tell runners that when they hike with me. Different set of muscles! I certainly don't get up and run 3 miles every day but I am fairly decent with it. I can run that distance on a Wednesday night much easier than I did today. I never did transfer my log over from Cool Running either - I should do that, I wouldn't look like a complete newbie (I am new, but I've been running since last summer. I did great until I had a chest cold in January that laid me up for too long). Could just be a bad day for me, but I don't think I was even fully awake this morning! Isn't there something about exercising first thing when you wake up in the am, after your body has been at rest for 8 hours, that makes it harder? I read that somewhere.
But that aside, Tchuck is right, and I need to make it a priority to get out there more often. I had a chest cold in early january, and the last 10 days have been crazy at work but they should calm down this week. Now if only I can keep my husband at home, so someone is here to watch the kid, so I can get out.... i don't suppose you guys can help with his busy schedule? 
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| Michelle |
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