This morning I woke up to a nasty pet parrot pecking out my eyes. It repeatedly kept squawking an unbelievable 5:06 marathon prediction. No. I don’t think so, that is not even close to a PR. I’m retraining this exotic pet and changing my future.
I ran 36.71 miles this week, 31 of those done over three days – Friday (10), Saturday (16) and Sunday (5). My intent was to run 10 on Sunday to finish out the week with 40, but my legs just wouldn’t go anymore. I averaged between eleven and twelve minute miles feeling more fatigued as the weekend went by. There are several things I noticed about my runs this weekend:
1) I’m getting slower – VO2 was the kick-in-the pants I needed to get me motivated. It was hard – very hard, but I have my suspicions that it is training a different group of muscles – the super slow ones – I’m also not getting enough base miles.
2) I’m recovering faster and feel stronger – after all of my runs my legs felt great and I didn’t have any trouble with soreness or tightness the next day – which is awesome – go legs!
I quite possibly am in contention for the “worlds slowest runner” award. My anxiety about coming in very last in San Diego is starting to take over – and I’ve got to get this under control. To put things into perspective, I decided to look back at my training entries from Chicago to see how my times compare. I was a little faster during training – but not much. I know that I am stronger now – and I know that I can beat my Chicago time. I don’t have that much time left – but my plan is simple – more base miles and more speed work.
I do have to admit, I have a preference for dogs of distinguished taste over nasty pet parrots. Rowdy contemplates his tannins while enjoying the beautiful spring air.
More stupid dog, cheerleader and garden pictures here.
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Where are all your fans? I actually get to be first?!?! I look like a goob eating steak. I love your camera, I am going to get one as soon as I save up the money!! Thanks for dinner!!!
I am in that competition with you, so do not worry. Most of my miles come in at around 11 or 12 minutes, and it is finally okay with me.
Last is somehow cooler than 14,572th…
But, other than the person crossing the line first, aren’t we all running for ourselves…
Freaking hilarious….
Yup, get those base miles in. Those are the keys to running a faster marathon time.
I was thinking about my ironman training lately…i am not sure if this will help you. Since I am still a newbie at this endurance sports aspect. Instead of thinking about running faster, how about thinking not slow down? Instead of trying to run a 9 min, 8 min, 6 min mile :O…how about looking at running the marathon like 10 min mile the whole time and finish it strong?
U have done more marathons than me..so u are more expert in this area
…but VO2…if u can do that..u won’t be the last in the marathon….
you give good blog.
the house, very Better Homes and Garden, i want those wine glasses.
the ‘Happy Food Dance’ pic, very Kill Bill Vol II Uma Thurman — like the fork weaponry.
i had a girlfriend 10 years ago that i talked into running a 10K without any training — we were the last two on the course, and being the gentleman, i let her cross the line ahead of me. local paper reported ME as being last.
it was a prestigious race. that won’t happen for you in San Diego though, your preparation will meet your opportunity and you will do well.
you give good blog.
the house, very Better Homes and Garden, i want those wine glasses.
the ‘Happy Food Dance’ pic, very Kill Bill Vol II Uma Thurman — like the fork weaponry.
i had a girlfriend 10 years ago that i talked into running a 10K without any training — we were the last two on the course, and being the gentleman, i let her cross the line ahead of me. local paper reported ME as being last.
it was a prestigious race. that won’t happen for you in San Diego though, your preparation will meet your opportunity and you will do well.
Who’s the goob eating steak? That happy food dance picture is awesome.
Very cute pics!!! Wow–that’s a lotta miles in 3 days. I think you have earned new shoes.
Rowdy’s photo is so cute.
That is so not RIGHT..that your roses are already blooming! Great garden, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them int he H&G magazines too!
don’t worry too much about your time, it’ll come with all the training you’re doing.
Sounds like a good plan.
Really Susan – how do you get Rowdy to pose so perfectly????? Nice photos. Good attitude. Good plan!
Rowdy actually looks happy in those clothes and oh so dapper. Very cute.
You need to let that anxiety go, girl. You will be fine. The big THEY says that logging those LSD miles is where its at so THEY must be right. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger so you clearly are getting stronger because you aren’t dead, yet!
Oh honey…I’m far slower than you! So just relax and keep on running. I’m beyond gleeful when I have a sub-12/mile.
Love the pics, by the way!
I.want.your.weather!!
Oh and your nice back yard…and the steak (but only sometimes
Nice photographs.
I wish I had something to say to address your need for speed but as someone built for neither speed nor distance, I would love one of either.
now hand me a glass of wine!
I like the happy food dance pic the best. I am glad I can move on now and post something else now that you have checked out the tats. I have memories of all my tattoos as well and was sober for just about all of them except for the peace sign. I mean who is sober on prom night?
I’ll stop worrying about speed if you will. love the photos. hey, it seems half the RBF is running San Diego!
San Diego has a fairly slow field, due to a lot of first-timers and charity walk/runners. You may not win any money, but you won’t finish anywhere close to last, trust me.
Hang in there! I think you’re doing a great job training. Definitely putting in the work. It WILL pay off!
And those pics are great – bee-you-ti-ful backyard patio, and have you considered playing basketball? You got as much air as Michael Jordan going in for a slam dunk!
Well at least he has good taste in wine…great set of miles there Forest.
Regards,
Elle
Chairperson For The Committe Against The Dressing Up of Animals
You’re definitely *NOT* the worlds slowest runner. You’re way too hard on yourself.
Great job on that weekly mileage. Without a doubt, that’s further than I’ve ever run in a week! Very nice!
Susan- great pics. Still puzzled on how you get Rowdy to “pose”!:-)
No worries on your supposed “lack of speed”- you’re putting in all the miles right now (solid 3 days of running,btw!). Once you taper and hit that start line with FRESH legs it’ll be a beautiful thing!
Good air indeed. If you are looking for new work you could call the Cowboys. And you got that high jumping in sandals too.
Susan, you know speed is relative. If your in it for the competition you will burn out as a runner. If your in it for the lifestyle and health benefits and the joy of running and the joy of racing you will do fine. Just relax and accept who and what you are and train to your capabilities.
Good luck, I think your doing awesome.
I hear Rowdy has a nose for wines. Good luck with the training, trust me, speedwork takes the fun out of running.
Rowdy is thinking ‘that’s a good plan’. He’s also thinking ‘separate the long runs and speedwork with easy days’. Smart dog.
Firstly, there is no way you would be last if you take a bit over 5 hours. Secondly, your training will ensure that you will improve between now and the marathon.
And thirdly, I agree that you need to get your base miles in. Speed training would do nothing for you now. What you need is endurance, and lots of it.
Worlds slowest runner award: is there an age group competition? I could try. I don’t understand why I could always enter in the MM30/35/40 top ten while it is difficult to be competitive in my MM50!!!!
> My anxiety about coming in very last in
> San Diego is starting to take over
I hate to make you relive that moment but I find it interesting. How many spectators were left at the finish line to cheer you in?
Yeah that dang parrot.. Though mine is predicting a 5:00 marathon and my PR is 5:17. So I also don’t think you are the slowest runner on the planet. If I were running San Diego I’m sure I’d be eating your dust! Or pavement as the case may be… I am hoping to crack 5 hours and maybe even 4:45 in October… Rowdy rules! Love the pics!!
Rowdy looks so dignified. I have labs and no matter how I dress them they still look like labs.
Okay…Susan your puppy is too adorable!!!
You are going to amaze yourself at that marathon! All your hard work is going to pay off 10 fold…you just wait! Go you!
There’s no way you’re going to be last! Enjoy the experience and don’t worry about the times. You’ll do awesome! Think about how few people every accomplish a marathon!!
Rowdy is TOO cute!
Are you sure 34033 of this?!?