acceptance

This is becoming an annual rite. I have to grieve the loss of my speedy spring self and eventually (after denial, anger, bargaining, and depression) accept my slow summer self. I did the same thing last year. I started doing two weekly workouts (and reducing mileage) leading up to Frederick and found myself getting faster. I tried to continue with that type of training post-marathon and through in a couple of races for good measure. Both times I was slower than expected in the second race, but the heat and course (hot, XC) helped me to rationalize away my time. Subsequent training then eventually has me accepting that I was just slower.

Why am I slower? Well, the main factor I think is that it's just hot and humid. I also haven't been getting nearly enough sleep, which is probably part of it. I can't overlook the fact, however, that I'm just running less. Why shouldn't I be slower? Less is less, right?

The marathon just kills your mileage with sharpening, tapering, and recovering, you lose about 8 weeks of good mileage. 62 is the longest week I've had in the last 8 weeks (since I began tapering). I ran 64 or more for 11 of the 16 weeks before that and 5 of those were 70 or more mile weeks.

I need to get my mileage back up and I'll worry about the rest later. Here's the relevant quote from Ron Daws's Running Your Best that describes his building to peak mileage phase: "Go for as much mileage as is comfortable. Try to run every day, with more or less the same efforts and distances. You need miles, so sacrifice whatever else for that."

This period is only supposed to last a month. That was a long-winded way of saying, "Joseph, don't expect to see any workouts here for a little while." I might throw in some strides or charge the occasional hill if I'm feeling frisking, but probably not.