(This image is so schtuuupid, but I just had to include it.)I have had this heavy feeling hanging over my head the last few days and I think I just identified it. I am worried about sticking to my training plan while away from Portland. I will only be gone 5 days, but that could really be enough to F everything up. The most crucial runs I have during that period are the long run (9 miles) on Sunday and the pick-up run (4 miles) on Tuesday.
The Tuesday run should not be a problem, as long as there aren't any huge work obligations after hours. I'm staying in Chevy Chase but would like to travel down to the DC Mall to do my 5 miles. I just love being in that space, it feels so important and there are tons of things to look at. Anyone from DC have other suggestions for running in that area?
BUT, what I am MOST worried about is the Sunday run. I arrive in Chicago late afternoon on Saturday night and leave early Monday morning for DC. There are lots of parties planned and lots of drinking and late night partying that will ensue. Chicago is not a town to be reckoned with. And my friends from the Big Ten are not a light force of nature either. These people go big, everywhere, all the time. And by big I mean drink a lot.
My window of time to do the run would be Sunday sometime before the sun goes down, which is pretty early there. I am really looking forward to running along the lakefront, my old home course and taking in the bitter cold air. (Hello high of 20*!) I am also itching to run this in under 8:00/mile pace. I am just worried that my bad habits and desire to socialize the best of them all will limit me. I think I need to decide how hard I am going to go out on Saturday. I really want to have fun and hang with my peeps, but this can easily lead to blacking out and waking up feeling terrible. Not so much fun. I am really getting better at running hungover but it plain sucks.
So far the plan looks like this:
- Really think about Saturday night's debauchery and how it will affect training.
- Be firm with work people that I have to allocate time for training.
- Drink more water than I have been.
- Stretch a lot - I won't be able to bring the trigger point with me so this will have to do.
8 comments:
I think your ideas are good ones - especially the water one. Also - if you are out at a bar, set your cell phone to alert you about 20 minutes before it's time to leave - that way you can call a cab if necessary (and I'd make sure you have a couple cab company #s programmed in your phone ahead of time) & get back to your hotel for the sleeping. It's easy to just go with the flow of the group, but if your phone beeps at you, you'll at least stop and think about leaving! :) Have fun!
So with a goal of an 8 min average for a 9 mile training run I take it your goal for the HM has changed? With training runs like that you'll do awesome in the race!
Don't worry too much about messing up your plan. Really 5 days isn't that bad. As long as you get 2 runs in, you'll be fine. I was gone for 2 weeks during my marathon training. I missed a 14 miler and replaced it with a 4 miler. You're body is healthy and trained. It will remember what to do when you get back to Portland :)
I think you'll be fine. I agree, the water plan is a good one.
If you want suggestions on places to run in DC, check out http://trainingforahalf.blogspot.com, she lives in DC.
Happy and safe travels. (I'm trying to keep up my long runs with the knee situation...this weekend I have 14...I'll be lucky to get 10 or 12).
I agree with POM, it won't kill you if you miss the runs, so just try to plan as best you can but be flexible.
When I am away for short trips like this, I have completely inverted and flipped around my schedule. I do all the crucial and long runs before I leave and go into my days away with only my 'easy' runs to do, where if I miss them, it's NBD to me.
Thanks for the suggestions! This really helps. I think I tend to get too rigid about things and once one tiny thing gets out of whack I consider the whole program screwed. I need to chill out.
Gazelle - I love your suggestions but Chicago has defense against your strategy in all directions: cabs are zooming around everywhere so no need to call one...AND the damn bars don't close until 5 a.m. on Saturdays. I know, WTF? In my past it made for many a confusing Sunday for me. But I like the idea of setting up little reminders on my phone to keep me in check. I'll try that.
eh - I say have fun :) But that's because I'm irresponsible like that. Although the co-worker (who is not hot but is an elite runner) swears running in the morning after drinking cures a hang-over.
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