Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Why Can't I Race The Way I Practice?

This picture has nothing to do with running, it was just a cool shot
I got of the Catholic Church a few blocks from our house during
the Super Moon on Sunday evening
I've had a great week of training so far ... a 12 mile Tempo Run with 10 miles at a 6:29/pace, and a solid mid-week 15 mile Long Run this morning with 14 miles at a 6:54/pace.  And honestly, with the help of a nice break in the August temperature, both were very manageable and didn't seem to tax my legs.  In fact, for most of my training cycle for this marathon I've been very pleased with how my runs have gone and am looking forward to fast Fall races.

But here's where the doubt begins to creep in.  Like many of us I've had races where I've trained really well, always hit my splits, felt great about the event ... and then laid an egg when the gun sounded.  In fact Michael, my wife, commented after my last race about my disappointment with my finish time, "Yeah I don't know, something weird happens to you on race day!"  So true.

I've always heard runners loosely pass around the phrase, "You just never know what's going to happen on race day!" And while that's certainly true about the weather, I don't buy into this simplistic and seemingly excuse-driven logic for the other variables involved.  I just believe with a methodical and pragmatic approach, it's possible to control what happens with our bodies in a race environment. That said, I haven't quite figured it out yet ... not even close.

If I take a realistic look at training vs. racing, I'm not sure I'm being 100% honest with myself.  A productive week like this one can be like a dressing room mirror that makes images appear slightly skinnier than they actually are.  I'll reason with myself after a good workout, "Man, if I can run 10 miles at a 6:30 pace, surely I can run 26 miles at a 6:50 pace!"  Say what???  What kind of runner math makes that add up?

Close-up of the Super Moon with my Canon EOS Rebel 300mm lense
First of all, if I ever run a 3-hour marathon ... it doesn't really make me a 3-hour marathoner.  It will have been just a great result on the perfect day.  Similarly, just because on a perfect weather morning, on a training course of my choosing, with hills exactly when and where I place them, with no pressure and no expectation ... I put together a nice workout ... does not guarantee a perfect race in the Fall.  And it certainly doesn't seem to be an exact predictor of results.

But probably the biggest problem with my races is somewhat unrealistic expectations.  I really "feel like" I should be a 16'ish 5K'er ... I'm nowhere near that.  I'm pretty sure I have the speed to put together a 1:23'ish Half-Marathon ... but that's 4 minutes faster than my current time.  And I'm somewhat confident that I have a 3-hour Marathon inside me ... but after training my butt off all summer, I'm not exactly sure anymore.  But what's the point of having goals if they're all attainable?  That would be boring.

So in about 3 weeks I'll give the ol' 3-hour marathon my first honest try.  I say that headed to Idaho knowing that it's a complete long-shot.  The real "go for broke" race will be in November at Indy.  All of my training times indicate that I should be close ... but I've been conned into thinking I'm better than I am before.  However, good race or no, I'll keep plugging away and trying to nail down this inexact science that we all love chasing.  I mean if it were easy, everyone would do it ... right?  And maybe if the stars line up, or we get the perfect Super Moon, my Fall races will finally mirror the way train.  We'll see.  Hope your training's going well - have a great week!
... be great today!

15 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm sure you have a three-hour marathon. I have the same race-day issues. I think sometimes it's from not training specifically enough, for me. But you do a lot of specific stuff, so I doubt that is your problem.
    That church shot is really beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, it's the only really good shot I got during the super moon - too cloudy

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  2. The bottom line Jim is like everyone else you gotta do what your body is meant to do on race day. The marathon is a tricky animal because there are so many variables at play. The weather, how you might be feeling that day, emotional stress, how tired your legs are, travel fatigue, elevation, wind, etc.

    I'd just caution you on not over exerting yourself prior to race day. Guys like us need constant reminders that we are on track and therein lies the temptation to overdue it the week or two before the big event.

    The bottom line, given your training times, I think you are on target for a decent marathon. You have the advantage of a largely downhill course (1400 feet elevation drop in the early miles). I hope you've done some downhill running in preparation. I know I've done halves with that much elevation drop and I am shot for days afterwards.

    The bottom line, give yourself the best "chance" of doing your best and let the pieces fall where they may. At this point the training is in the bank and you can only mess up your race (and your head) if you over think it or feel you need to race more workouts. Also, don't forget this is supposed to be fun. If you aren't having fun, then you'll only serve to frustrate yourself. Enjoy the experience, hydrate well (Idaho is a dry state), and don't go out too insane on the early downhills.

    I look forward to hearing about your experience (Pocatello is on my radar list too)

    Eddie

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    1. Thanks Eddie, I've done quite a bit of downhill running and lower quad training specifically for this race - the only thing I'm concerned about is the altitude - sometimes it affects me, other times it doesn't, so we'll see

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  3. 10 miles at sub 6:30 pace?! Yes, you should be able to run a sub 1:25 half and a 6:50 pace full is realistic in right weather on right course. I always tell myself that if I can do something in practice then I will do even better in an actual race. You've put in solid training. Trust the process- it will pay off!

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    1. Thanks Tia, I definitely feel like I've put in the work, if it happens it happens, but I'm not gonna stress over it

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  4. Don't we all do that? Put so much expectation on ourselves. The best race I ever ran was one where I had no expectations. No pressure meant that I ran faster than I ever thought I could. But after that there was always this thought that maybe I could go even faster. It's never happened again.

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    1. You're right Char, I definitely run better when I'm more relaxed without a specific time in mind, but I suppose we all do

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  5. I think now's an appropriate time to say that the journey is sometimes the best part. We are left with lots of questions of how race day will unfold but the most important question you have to ask yourself is, did you do the best you could to prepare yourself for a successful race? And I think you have thus far. I've enjoyed reading about your journey to a sub 3 hour marathon, I can tell you that with certainty.

    The only thing I feel compelled to say is sometimes we leave our best miles out while training. It's important not to peak too soon and to kill yourself with any one workout. Your tempo, for example, if the 10 miles didn't hurt too bad at that pace, that's a great sign.

    I'm excited to read about your Fall marathons.

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    1. I agree 100% Bill, I've written on this blog several times in the past that even if there were no races, I'd still run. So yes, I love the process and the journey, it's probably the best part - I think the races are just for good measure

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  6. Hmm. Sounds like it's more of a mental thing than a physical one. When I train and race I have a mantra I repeat: Yes I can, Yes, I can, Yes I can! Say it with me: Yes I can, Yes, I can, Yes I can! You got this Jim!

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    1. Your right about it being mental, I'm getting better at not stressing, but to this day don't feel like I've raced anywhere close to how I train

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  7. Hey, we must love closer than we think because I live .5 away from that church!

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    1. Oh yeah, then we definitely live close Allison - we live in Canterbury off of Blackwell

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