First off, thank you all so much for your comments on my Corktown race recap! I am still grinning from ear to ear over here! A lot of you wondered how in the heck I was able to run that fast coming off such an extended injury; and I must admit I had no idea I had that in me!
I can only credit it to all the xtraining I've been doing. The entire time I was down I frequented the gym like it was my job. Not boot, nor crutch, stopped me from getting there as often as I could and doing something, anything, to maintain my fitness. If I wasn't at the gym, I hit the pool, and as my leg healed I happily added new things in to the mix. I still get excited to elliptical for goodness sakes! (Three miles this morning! Woot!)
Since my R2R began, a typical week consists of three non-consecutive running days and at least two (maybe three) xtraining days where I do some form of cardio followed by a Nike Training Club app strength workout. I've only had one run since my R2R began that gave me any kind of indication that I might have preserved my speed which came in the form of one sub-8 minute mile back in January. Otherwise I've ran most of my runs at a pretty conservative, steady pace and followed them up with walking as directed by my doc. Prior to the race I had only ran the mileage five times total, with race day being the sixth.
Like I said in the recap, I figured I'd come in around 25 minutes, if I were lucky. When I forecasted this to Spike he assured me I would be faster, due to getting caught up in the excitement if nothing else, and he was right. When I hit the first mile and looked at Hermes I was in complete shock at the pace but thought, "don't get caught up in the time, enjoy your race!" The pace felt effortless so I just kept at it. In the end, this race was hands down THE best race I have ever ran. Why? Because for once, I didn't question myself. I didn't have any expectations as I hadn't trained specifically, so I just trusted how my body felt and ran happy; happy to be there, happy to be racing again, happy for the beautiful day, HAPPY! Maybe that's the secret?
Ecstatic that the stars aligned
to give me a great comeback race!
While I am obviously overjoyed with this turn of events, it also has me shaking in my boots. By turning what was supposed to have been a fun run into a race, I've now set the bar awfully high for the 5k I intend to race next month! Eek!
Have you ever had a race unexpectedly come together after being injured or had been on a running hiatus?
I can only credit it to all the xtraining I've been doing. The entire time I was down I frequented the gym like it was my job. Not boot, nor crutch, stopped me from getting there as often as I could and doing something, anything, to maintain my fitness. If I wasn't at the gym, I hit the pool, and as my leg healed I happily added new things in to the mix. I still get excited to elliptical for goodness sakes! (Three miles this morning! Woot!)
Since my R2R began, a typical week consists of three non-consecutive running days and at least two (maybe three) xtraining days where I do some form of cardio followed by a Nike Training Club app strength workout. I've only had one run since my R2R began that gave me any kind of indication that I might have preserved my speed which came in the form of one sub-8 minute mile back in January. Otherwise I've ran most of my runs at a pretty conservative, steady pace and followed them up with walking as directed by my doc. Prior to the race I had only ran the mileage five times total, with race day being the sixth.
Like I said in the recap, I figured I'd come in around 25 minutes, if I were lucky. When I forecasted this to Spike he assured me I would be faster, due to getting caught up in the excitement if nothing else, and he was right. When I hit the first mile and looked at Hermes I was in complete shock at the pace but thought, "don't get caught up in the time, enjoy your race!" The pace felt effortless so I just kept at it. In the end, this race was hands down THE best race I have ever ran. Why? Because for once, I didn't question myself. I didn't have any expectations as I hadn't trained specifically, so I just trusted how my body felt and ran happy; happy to be there, happy to be racing again, happy for the beautiful day, HAPPY! Maybe that's the secret?
Ecstatic that the stars alignedto give me a great comeback race!
While I am obviously overjoyed with this turn of events, it also has me shaking in my boots. By turning what was supposed to have been a fun run into a race, I've now set the bar awfully high for the 5k I intend to race next month! Eek!
Have you ever had a race unexpectedly come together after being injured or had been on a running hiatus?
21 comments:
i'm going with happy and rested legs. :) so glad you still have the speed. it shows just how strong a runner you are.
I'm going with happy + maintained fitness! :-D I am so happy for you and I'm glad all your other friends -real and blog- are giving you do much love, support, and sharing in the happiness. I've been feeling it myself this past week+ and it is such a good feeling.
I still can't believe that you dropped such a fast after taking such a long running break.
Amazing!
Yes, the xtraining was it. I took almost three months off of running during my knee injury this past fall, and totally untrainined, PR-ed my 10K by ~2 mins. I credit leg strength training for that one!
I'd say my first 50k of the year (even though I wasn't injuried prior or coming off a running break) was that kind of race. Went into it really wanting just solid trail time on my feet but came away with a PR. More importantly, I learned a lot about what works for me and left that race feeling super strong. Not much tops that!
Congrats again. Don't worry about that up comming 5k. There is no bar that has been set. You can run that next race however you want. Each race is different and I farily certain that you have learned (better than most I know) to enjoy them all regardless of that dum ole' clock!
It is really all about running happy!
It is really all about running happy!
just trick your body. tell it, this is a normal speed to run and you will come back faster. it's a solid theory, it will work. i'm a scientist.
I think turning off your brain and running for fun is the way to do it. Congrats again!
I love that you had such a great boost of confidence in your first race after your injury.
After each of my pregnancies I have come back from them much faster and stronger. I think sometimes giving our body an extended break, gives it time to really regroup and come back stronger. Plus it gives us time to remember how bad we want it and we go out ready to get those dreams we had so much time to think about.
Congrats on a great race!
I'm going with happy and BEvERages, because you can never go wrong with those two!
Definitely for me not having a time in my head. I'm such an overthinker so if I'm just there to be there or finish it usually works out better for me. It's such a great feeling :)
Maybe you should approach the next 5k as a fun run too! Fun brain = speedy legs?
amazing job!!! I think I need to follow in your footsteps and get into cross training mode!! way to go
I was shocked at how well my fitness held up after my broken toe. I can't say I had anything as amazing as your comeback race, but I was definitely surprised by how quickly it all came back.
That is awesome that this race was your favorite ever! Doesn't surprise me though, because it was your first real race after your injury. And I bet just the feeling doing a race after so much work after being injured was just an awesome feeling.
Seems like you are on your way to being back in the swing of running fully now.
I may be weird, but almost every race in my life has gone as I pictured it to go. I go as hard as my body will take me and that is it. As you know I've been battling injuries for like a year now, and hopefully I'll start to improve more - seems like some days are better than others in terms of recovery.
It must be so re-assuring to know that you can still move those legs FAST! Can't wait to see what you do when you really go for it. :)
At some point I remember reading a quote that said "You run {train} best where you are happiest.", and I don't think there's any better way to put it. The "where" could be a physical or mental/emotional place - where you are at your personal best, and all things align. I've always found this to be true - no matter what the situation!
When we moved back to DC last fall I had no intention of training "hard" for MCM - and to be honest, I really didn't. I stuck to a usual routine - no speedwork - and enjoyed my runs with my friend w/o worrying too much about weekly mileage, pace, etc. I didn't track anything, analyze any runs, or care to. And then whoa - hello, PR. :) I was happy.
So, yes, there's some magic in this equation! It takes us a while to figure it out, but once is all it takes.
Again, wonderful job! Now run faster.
When you enjoy something, you tend to do it better. Run happy = run better, for sure. Cheers!
Ha - part of it is that you went out at a reasonable pace and did not build up too much lactic acid in that first mile! Congrats on being back!
I'm just catching up on your blog, and first, SO HAPPY for you that you're coming back stronger! I went through the same thing 2010 into 2011. When I first started to run after the injury my pace was a minute faster than what it was, and I fully agree, the secret might be RUNNING HAPPY. To have spent so much time sitting on the injury bench, and getting out there to just run is really the greatest feeling ever.
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