tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post6843842529429225692..comments2024-02-01T03:43:38.115-06:00Comments on 50 after 40: 2014 Urban Wildland Half-Marathon ReviewJim ... 50after40http://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-18985308704067826382014-08-06T19:16:39.622-05:002014-08-06T19:16:39.622-05:00Haha, I didn't mean YOU, just "you" ...Haha, I didn't mean YOU, just "you" in general ... I wouldn't ever question someone's toughness, that just came out wrong - hahaJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-66519699259870399412014-08-06T19:08:20.353-05:002014-08-06T19:08:20.353-05:00Thanks for the detailed reply! I think I mainly d...Thanks for the detailed reply! I think I mainly depleted my body badly, and I'm not sure if it's back yet to 100% yet. I'm not injured though, just felt a little out of it on my recent run. Likely I'll start back with running next week, and see how it goes. And yea, if I moved to the midwest, I probably wouldn't last too long out there lol. Nellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613262056157769496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-39378252208585332162014-08-06T16:02:26.087-05:002014-08-06T16:02:26.087-05:00Thank you Johann, but please - none of us are in y...Thank you Johann, but please - none of us are in your running league! My legs would have crumbled far long ago trying to do what you do!Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-74467546004723581472014-08-06T10:41:38.483-05:002014-08-06T10:41:38.483-05:00Congratulations again! Beautiful race! I don't...Congratulations again! Beautiful race! I don't think I ever ran a planned PR. Mine mostly just happened. That said, I can't talk in your league. My half marathon PR is 1:41. That is actually fast for me :)Johannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17588120934444485158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-16243800797308065962014-08-06T07:23:57.947-05:002014-08-06T07:23:57.947-05:00Thanks Jim, I look forward to that blog. No need t...Thanks Jim, I look forward to that blog. No need to give me credit! <br /><br />It's just a question I've given a lot of thought to. I raced too much last marathon cycle and it affected me more than just physically - I felt drained mentally as well. That was on me though doing too many races thinking I could make some last minute fitness gains. But I always wonder if we hurt our marathon goals (even if its by minutes) because we left our best miles out in training (or in this case, races leading up to THE race).Billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-4540880172064058652014-08-05T16:42:58.315-05:002014-08-05T16:42:58.315-05:00Hey Nelly - ya know, the first time I had heard th...Hey Nelly - ya know, the first time I had heard that "2-3 week" time frame after being depleted was a few weeks ago when our friend Michelle had almost the exact same experience as you at her last half-marathon. Except she passed out, fell into a ditch, and wound up in the hospital for a while. For me, I think the 2-3 week thing is a little long. But I don't think I was quite as fluid depleted after my race as you and Michelle. For example, I went out today and ran 11 miles, 7 of them at 6:30 pace, was totally saturated (maybe even a little more than on Saturday) and other than being a little weak-legged because the race was only 3 days ago, I felt okay. <br /><br />But there are several variables here that I think separate the two - if you were depleted of fluids enough that your body crashed, that's quite a bit different than mine. I really never crashed, when I wasn't stopped to walk, I was actually running a decent pace. But it sounds like you and Michelle had something closer to a heat stroke/dehydration that had a more severe metaphysical reaction on your body. I was able to stretch, rest, drink plenty of coconut water as well as extra water, and more protein than usual, and I felt okay. For example, I have a 20 mile run on Saturday that I'm not really worried about at this point.<br /><br />Plus, another variable is that unless you live and train in the some parts of the Midwest this time of year - it's tough to describe just how fluid-depleted you get after each workout. If your body doesn't learn to adapt to it, and if you don't learn good refueling habits, I can't imagine you'd last very long. It's literally an almost daily cycle of losing 4-5 lbs of fluids in a morning run, focusing all day on replacing them, and then doing the same thing the next day. So maybe that helped me with my race too.<br /><br />I think when you reach the dehydration point that you did, the biggest factor is probably leveling and equalizing your electrolytes again ... but that's just a guess on my part.<br /><br />Unless you're injured, I'm a big believer that something is better than nothing when it comes to rest and recovery after a workout or event. For me, slow active recovery in the form of a long walk or a SLOW light run is much better than doing nothing - but I try to make sure I get some extra sleep too. But unless you're on a schedule to train for another race, I wouldn't push it if you don't have to. Hope that helps - but I just a novice at this stuff like you - ha!Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-60792579971639958982014-08-05T16:20:37.564-05:002014-08-05T16:20:37.564-05:00Nice job on the PR, despite the tough conditions a...Nice job on the PR, despite the tough conditions and struggling at bit at the end! I am curious - you had a good comment on my race from last Sunday, if you deplete yourself like I did at the race, does it take 2-3 weeks to feel normal again while running? I did 6 miles yesterday, and I feel super wiped today. Maybe my body still isn't back yet. Anything I should so besides waiting it out to run again? Nellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613262056157769496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-29491194753036475962014-08-05T14:53:39.412-05:002014-08-05T14:53:39.412-05:00Congrats on a PR!! Great comments and looking forw...Congrats on a PR!! Great comments and looking forward to your next post on "How much should I race leading up to a big race" - it's a tricky subject and there is so much individual variability. At some point, each person has to figure-out what works best for them - there's simply no substitute for experience. Personally, I do not race that much but have struggled with over-training and peaking at the right time - for me it is a fine line and short window. I too have left some of my best performances on the training path... no doubt that it is difficult to hold back when you are in top fitness.<br />Best of luck with your sub 3 attempt and I really enjoy your blog. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-35774013471376402632014-08-04T19:12:31.357-05:002014-08-04T19:12:31.357-05:00Bill, actually that's a GREAT topic for a blog...Bill, actually that's a GREAT topic for a blog post - I'll probably write something about it later on this week because I think it's something a lot of runners debate over and over ... "How much should I race leading up to a big race" - thanks for the idea ... I'll give you full credit, haJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-55681426462549512712014-08-04T18:49:19.273-05:002014-08-04T18:49:19.273-05:00Thank you so much for the comments Bill, and I did...Thank you so much for the comments Bill, and I didn't take them harsh or confrontational at all - it's actually something I wrestle with all the time. I gave Grace a hard time for recommending a race, but I was thinking about doing one anyway, so I can't blame her, ha. I think I view as I'm 45, and my window of opportunity is closing quickly. Every year it gets tougher and tougher to recover and there's gonna be a point when I stop putting up lower numbers than the last time. I think "greedy" is probably the perfect description for what we do. I think I get the mentality that "hey, I'm in great shape right now - might as well PR as much as I can", but in fact I already think my hard Tuesday is already in jeopardy - so to answer your question ... no, I'm not sure it was worth it. We'll see I guess. But I completely understand and try to reconcile your point internally all the time when I feel like at the top of my fitness.<br /><br />Thanks again for the thoughtful comment - I really appreciate the input - have a great week.Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-76406784489136126462014-08-04T18:42:32.880-05:002014-08-04T18:42:32.880-05:00Thanks Cory - we are a good compliment to each oth...Thanks Cory - we are a good compliment to each other because if I would have ran the kind of insane mileage you rack up, I would have two broken legs by nowJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-42401887676185797972014-08-04T18:41:41.550-05:002014-08-04T18:41:41.550-05:00Thanks Eddie, yeah it's kind of a grind in the...Thanks Eddie, yeah it's kind of a grind in the Midwest in the summer. Hopefully I'll get a nice cool day in October in Wichita and I can really lower my markJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-33779018082993269922014-08-04T18:40:24.022-05:002014-08-04T18:40:24.022-05:00Thanks Andy, that's a great point and somethin...Thanks Andy, that's a great point and something that I think helped refocus me a little. I don't think I was mailing in the remainder of my training, but not being where I wanted to be will certainly help keep me on track. I stopped 4 times for a total of about 1:30 overall, so I think on a cooler day realistically I would been right there - but only beating my old time by about 18 seconds has kind of lit a fire under me - thank you for the thoughtful input - I really appreciate it!Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-80869459143762384472014-08-04T13:27:05.097-05:002014-08-04T13:27:05.097-05:00Those pictures are beautiful. Keeping even one mil...Those pictures are beautiful. Keeping even one mile at your pace would have made me barf. Congrats on your PR!Cory Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211348156621152998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-73381892505862141082014-08-04T11:39:17.660-05:002014-08-04T11:39:17.660-05:00Andy makes some good points up above.
Question th...Andy makes some good points up above.<br /><br />Question though, and this relates to running theory.<br /><br />You mentioned it's a recovery week but at the same time you were gunning for a Half PR, which can take weeks to fully recover from. Are we greedy as runners? I'm not trying to say you are, I'm just saying I've done this before and the thinking is a bit backwards; it's a week to run easy and recover (from all those hard workouts like your very impressive and confidence boosting tempo run) and yet we have that mentality to go out and GET IT while our fitness is good. What's more important is your upcoming marathon and jeopardizing that at this point seems wrong. You agree? Would love to read your thoughts on this. I raced far too much last marathon cycle and I vowed to severely limit my races unless they fit in my schedule perfectly (as workouts). Who knows though, maybe you'll recover from this quickly but if it takes away from any future workouts (i.e. this week), I'd have to ask was it worth it? Again, I'm not trying to be harsh or confrontational, just honest questions. <br /><br />And that 10 year age group crap in a half is BS. You deserved an age group medal.<br /><br />Keep up the good work, I have lots of faith in you for both Fall marathons.Billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-5211679493834037912014-08-04T11:32:55.406-05:002014-08-04T11:32:55.406-05:00Nice work Jim. I know what you mean about mid-wes...Nice work Jim. I know what you mean about mid-western humidity. I've done many a race through the summer heat like that and it is always a struggle. Would love to see what you could do in an "ideal" environment. None the less a solid effort and congrats on the PR.Eddie Gaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18151446665700309292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-8794498124240928842014-08-04T09:18:06.933-05:002014-08-04T09:18:06.933-05:00Probably a rubbish thing to say but it is probably...Probably a rubbish thing to say but it is probably better to have gotten a 'bad' race out of the way ahead of your marathon (and I'm not wholly convinced it was all that bad reading your report). The questions and concerns you have in mind after the race will keep you focused on the training and race prep to come, a 'good' race might (just might) have let the mental brakes off of the next few weeks.<br />Recent good training won't vanish, and if it all comes together over the 26.2 then we'll all really look to your race report.<br />Awesome work getting that PR :-) Hope the next few weeks go really well.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328218297874256508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-86457090671995906772014-08-04T05:49:19.287-05:002014-08-04T05:49:19.287-05:00Thanks KatheeThanks KatheeJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-51294125775829077662014-08-04T05:49:10.240-05:002014-08-04T05:49:10.240-05:00Thanks JoseThanks JoseJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-4880238784581415402014-08-04T05:48:52.686-05:002014-08-04T05:48:52.686-05:00Thanks Grace, yeah I'm glad I ran the race, an...Thanks Grace, yeah I'm glad I ran the race, and I'm pretty confident that I'm quite a bit faster than that right now - it's fascinating how fragile my "Runner Ego" is when it comes to race performance.Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-88856442044975902612014-08-04T05:47:34.279-05:002014-08-04T05:47:34.279-05:00Thanks Allison - I'm hoping to!Thanks Allison - I'm hoping to!Jim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-8133664012710098282014-08-04T05:47:16.579-05:002014-08-04T05:47:16.579-05:00Ha, the shirt was an L, I think Michael is going t...Ha, the shirt was an L, I think Michael is going to use as a night shirt or somethingJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-49832015851696462042014-08-04T05:46:37.527-05:002014-08-04T05:46:37.527-05:00I really just think it's a cost thing Paul, bu...I really just think it's a cost thing Paul, but no biggie I guessJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-10225112819387468022014-08-04T05:45:56.024-05:002014-08-04T05:45:56.024-05:00Thanks Pahla - yeah, the only thing I want on race...Thanks Pahla - yeah, the only thing I want on race day are perfect conditions - which rarely happens, haJim ... 50after40https://www.blogger.com/profile/14165153305680378261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963402677916553399.post-82378219592703561472014-08-03T20:32:50.642-05:002014-08-03T20:32:50.642-05:00Humidity is a killer!! I live in a dry environmen...Humidity is a killer!! I live in a dry environment so it especially kills me. Congrats on the PR! Katheehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00072994329952086277noreply@blogger.com