Track Work...

Since I last posted, I have put in a couple of easy runs. Today, I was able to jump on the indoor track. I was going to run with Nick today, but he had a car accident on La Veta pass. He's car got totalled from the back end. Fortunately, he and his mother are doing fine. Although he does feel really sore from his back and neck from the impact. So I went ahead and did the workout solo.
I warmed up for 14 min. then I did 4x5 200's with 55 sec. in between each and 3 min. in between sets. After cooled down for 14 min. Usually I run them on lane 3, but today I had to run in lane 1 due to some high jump pits and other stuff on lane 3. Felt good to be on the track, although I almost got some blisters... ouch! Until next time.... Peace OUT!

long run on the shortest day of the year

...well sort of a long run--approximately 12 miles from my house around the Boulder reservoir, Coot Lake, and the Twin Lakes. All of the trails were pretty much clear thanks to the warmish weather and sun. This is usually the "gut-check" time of the year when it's cold, windy, icy, and dark outside, but this last week has been very nice for running. I'm coming off of a little time off and building my miles slowly, so as to avoid over-training like I did this summer. I'll probably start racing again in the early spring. I'm looking forward to doing some cross country skiing and showshoe running for cross training when I visit my family in Upper Michigan this next week. Happy holidays everyone.

Pete

Work in progress...

I just got back from the PT office in Boulder to work, yet again, on a hamstring/tendon issue that has plagued me since June. As I sat down to write this, I wasn't sure what to put down but I think that the lessons I have learned in this past year are important to remember in any stage of training.

2009 proved to be a much more challenging year than I had anticipated. I moved up to Denver in 2008 to start grad school to begin what has been a long anticipated career. I had been in Colorado Springs my entire life and was spoiled with trails out my back door, great running partners and friends, and a job at a running store. What more could a runner ask for? My lifestyle and running terrain have changed immensely since then and I find that my body and mind are having a hard time catching up. Pavement was completely foreign to me back at home, but here, there's no avoiding the unforgiving surface. Because of the new changes, I got hurt in November of last year, healed up enough to run marginally in track and then injured my hamstring in June of this year. It's hard not to let the frustration seep in constantly, but luckily school has a way of distracting my mind on most days.

I only write this because as I was driving home today, I had a revelation. If this year of frustration, pain and numerous trips to the PT has taught me anything at all, it's this: running is so much more who I am than what I do. When my leg is especially stubborn, all I want is to run out the door for a pain-free jaunt around the park to melt my stress and clear my lungs. I think back to when training would get especially difficult and how much I would complain about workouts and long runs. What I wouldn't give to be in the middle of a long cycle of training, heading out to the track for 400's. I find that I am much happier person when I am running, so being hurt can make it difficult to live with me (sorry Jay) but I'm learning how to cope and to practice patience. I hope that I can carry this feeling into the future to when I feel too tired, hungry or stressed to run and remember what it was like to not even have the option.

The leg gets better everyday, with only an occasional set-back here and there. I have made great friend and running partner in Denver who has been a great support especially when I am feeling low and who has shown me trails (yay!) in Denver that remind me of home. On the upside, this injury has unearthed a flaw in my form that may have been the culprit of numerous past injuries (thanks to Mark for helping me with the new form and for all the work on the hamstring he has done over the past couple months). Now that I have switched things around, my efficiency and speed has increased tremendously and I can't wait to start track season with a new stride and a new mindset. Here's to 2010!!!

I'm 29!

and I still get excited about my bday! To celebrate this year I decided to run an indoor mile. It may seem like a weird choice since I've been focusing on the marathon. I also almost NEVER run or race on a track anymore. Just not really my thing. But there weren't any road races in Chicago this weekend and I really wanted to do something running-ish for my bday (yes im a huge geek but really I couldnt handle another night out after club cross anyways). So I found a track meet at University of Chicago and decided to give it a go. My coach just told me not to destroy myself and not to get hurt since im not used to doing short stuff. He talked me out of the 800 and I didnt have the guts to ask if I could triple jump (I seriously love tj and used to do it in high school....indoor conference champ one year!)
I registered at 5:05 which I felt was realistic for where I'm at and my big training week. That ranked me 3rd in a field of 10 girls with the fastest girl listed at 4:49. I wasn't sure I would remember how to run the mile and when I was warming up running on turns felt really awkward. But once I got racing it came around. I went out in 4th and felt pretty comfortable. I took the lead just before halfway and came through in 231. I felt really good and it went by really fast. I ended up at 456 and when I finished I couldn't help but smile. It was so much fun to do something different and I felt way better and ran faster than I expected. My parents and this cute english guy I know all came to watch and it was a great day.