I'm feeling good about 2012 so far. I'm making some good plans....I think, although it looks pretty similar to last year. I've registered for 3 events so far including the 1/2 marathon, the Denver Century and Boulder 70.3. So I've got some commitments, some thing to train for, a place to start and a kind of plan in place.
Good workouts this week. Nothing crazy but I did manage to bike and run 3 times and swim twice! Yes I was in the pool two times in one week! Considering I've only swam twice since Boulder in August, twice in one week is a major achievement! During that first swim I spent some time thinking about my running. I had just finished a run on the treadmill. I hate the TM. It always feels so hard and it's so hot in there...wait I"m getting off subject and whiney, so I was thinking how running just never seems to get any easier, I never seem to get any faster, and I never seem to be able run any farther. Well of course I had one of those ahh-ha moments. Now I've had this thought before, it's not as if I don't know this but I finally think I realized that if I want to have some different results I'm going to actually have to do something different. Exactly what that something different is, I'm not sure, but I suspect what it comes down to is I just need to run more.
Overall I think I'm getting past some of the "aches" I've been dealing with recently. The sciatica/piriformis thing that I was dealing with is gone. The other hip issues that I had for weeks seems better, The really tight calves that I've had since switching to the Kinvara's is better. I attribute much of this to the fact that my boys (have I told you how great they are?) got me a "stick" impostor for Christmas and I've been a rolling fool. However I am still dealing with some lower back pain, which comes and goes and my mild case of plantar fasciitis. It's not awful but my arches are defiantly sore in the mornings when I get up. Some days they are worse then others. So I've been trying to figure out what is aggravating them. I'm hoping it is not the Kinvara's because I love the way they feel when I run and I haven't noticed that they are more sore after I run. More I'm thinking it is the shoes I wear everyday. So I'm in need of some new work shoes. I don't spend that much time on my feet at work but on a typical weekend I seem spend most of my time "running" around. I need a casual shoe that is not an athletic shoe. Do you notice problems with your everyday shoes? What kind of shoe do you wear or find that helps with your PF?
Ok so here's a question for you. During a chat with Jill the other day she said that she thought it would be best to run at least one marathon before thinking about an Ironman. I've read that it's not necessary to have completed one before. I'm on the fence still about if/when I will complete a marathon, I've tried to find a way to get one in this year but I'm just not sure it will happen. However an Ironman for 2013 is looking like a possibility. So I'm wondering what your thoughts/experience is with this. Should I plan to get a marathon in sometime this year or early 2013?
And as a final thought I just have to throw this out there
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
14 comments:
Those Broncos were amazing! So you're thinking of going Iron in 2013? Me too! I've heard a lot of people say that ya don't have to run a full marathon before doing it in the IM. I think the training will be enough to carry you through.
I can see both sides. I think I will want to run a marathon before an ironman. Having said that, I've heard a number of people say you don't have to: a stand alone marathon and the ironman run are two completely different beasts. Therefore the training is what matters.
I have trouble trusting my training, which is probably why I want to do a stand alone marathon.
Which ironman would you do in 2013?
If it's difficult to fit it into your training you don't NEED to run a marathon before an ironman. I will have ran two before my IM in June, it's important for me to have done the distance for confidence and knowing what I am in for. That said you might run one in your training for your ironman.
Will you feel more confident during your ironman if you know yo have already ran a marathon, or will it not matter?
Boy, I'm not sure how to answer that one. I'd at least aim for completing one or two 20 mile runs before the big IM (maybe look at Higden's novice marathon program and substitute one or two short run days for biking). Gotta say, as a marathoner, it IS pretty darn sweet to finish your first marathon ...
BTW - which half are you running??
Hahah, I love how my name got throw in there ;). I'd do it strictly for the confidence and the prep work for nutrition and hydration etc. I know you goal is to just finish, but wouldn't you feel better to finish feeling strong knowing you can cover the distance without any problems? Just my 2 cents. I know there are plenty of programs out there that state you don't need to do a marathon first, but there are also plenty of plans out there that say you can run an ultra without ever running a race, period. I'd just personally never do it.
Anyway, enough of that nonsense!! :)
I think you should join a running group, I think the camaraderie of having others to run with and talk running crap with would be a great motivator for you to get that endurance, and speed, changed.
I can't believe you registered for the Denver Century already - woohoo! I don't think I'm going to be able to swing it, unless I get some superwoman strength worked up by then....Mt. Evans Ascent is the day before and I really want to do that in prep for Pikes Peak! Whaaa.
PF: I can't believe you weren't texting me about your PF!! Ok girl, go barefoot as much as possible; pick up small objects with your feet as often as you can...watching tv, reading blogs, sitting at work (marbles, pencils); curl your toes, flex your foot, and make small circles forwards and backwards. Practice midfoot striking and DO NOT HEEL STRIKE!! Rub out your calves every night, looking for trigger points and get those knots out. Work on your core DAILY and strengthen your hips!!!!! PF is not a shoe problem, it is a combination of many things, mostly a muscle weakness on one side.
I think the key to deciding whether or not to do a Ironman is health and consistency. Have you been training injury free for a long period of time and are you consistent in your training. But that is just my opinion. Each person is different and must make the decision on their own. You will know when the time is right.
I hear that if you do an marathon, not to do it the same year as your IM, the recovery it takes will effect your IM training. Doing one before is more of a mental hurdle to tell your brain that you know you can do it. Thats my 2 cents
I had thought that I should do at least one marathon before doing an Ironman mostly to have the confidence to complete the marathon distance. After discussing with my coach she told me that I should only do a stand alone marathon if I really want to do it because the training for a stand alone marathon and training for Ironman are completely different. Made total sense to me after she explained it. Having done a marathon has no bearing on Ironman because you need to do that whole swim and bike thing before the run even rolls around.
I'm glad you are feeling better. Aches and pains just sucks.
Re the marathon prior to the Ironman, I would not do it, it would scare me away from the IM for sure. Then again I'm never doing an IM. Did I miss something? Are you doing one?
I was going to respond about the work shoes...I am so diligent about changing out my running shoes after a certain amount of miles.
Yet when my hip was hurt, I realized some of my shoes were over 4 and 5 years old, and probably had broken down. I replaced them. And then replaced them again (thanks to the dog).
And use the heck out of the stick.
OK, selfish question first: how did you get rid of the piriformis/sciatica thing?
I'd want to run a marathon before doing an IM, but then....I don't think I'll ever do an IM.
I am with the camp that says you should do the full, just for the mental preparation. But what do I know!? I am no triathlete!! :)
I know people who have done it both ways and I don't know that it has mattered either way. These were all age groupers trying to get across the finish line. I almost think that at that point in the race, I would be running on sheer will, regardless.
However, I think Jill is super smart :-) so I would trust her guidance!
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