I had a terrible long run yesterday. I was supposed to do 2 hours 30 minutes and I set off at 3pm to run round my usual 3km loop around a pond. I thought 9 or 10 laps of this would cover the time alright.
Anyways, I don't know exactly why but it was a real struggle after the first hour. I did the last hour and a half at about 5:40 pace per K and basically felt like I had hit the wall and it took all my strength just to finish this session. I just kept saying to myself. "Don't be a wimp, if you can't finish this you won't be any good for Nagano."
Like I said I don't know why it was such a struggle there were some new factors involved but that run has never been that hard for me. Was it the wind? it was blowing a gail, Did I tell you I really hate wind especially when it's cold. Was it because a ran too hard the day before? Did my speed session on Saturday instead of Friday to avoid the wind. Was it the lack of food? No lunch before running at 3pm, but I usually don't eat before my morning long runs and I'm OK.
I read that a few of you, EG Eddie, struggled with their long runs because of the heat. I can't say that's why I had so much trouble but glad to have done it. Another one of those before my goal marathon might break the spirit. Like Eddie said I couldn't of imagined running at goal pace over 42kms yesterday!
Got no advice for you I'm afraid Scott - two and a half hours would be hard for me too!!! Still, you were out there and you didn't give up. Sounds to me like you are still definitely on track for Nagano.
ReplyDeleteWind and cold, heat and humidity, they certainly test oour mettle Scott,or,as my running buddy says, build character. What ever it is, as you indicated to me, it will all come togeather on the big day.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, its not that long since Tokyo you know. I think you ought to throw that into the equation as well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, who knows why we have good days and bad days. And is there really that much difference between the two?
Thanks for that great quote in my blog. Wish that was the inspiration behind the title. It was just the Augie March song ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWEahIQGsZY
Don't worry Scott. The next run could be totally the opposite. 10 laps of 3k would be a tough mental test, but you've done it before, so who knows.
ReplyDeleteI'd just suggest giving yourself the best chance on these long runs by having an easy day prior and a good night's sleep.
Enjoyed the video - wonder if they could get everyone ducking down during a fun run?
I know the feeling...of runs not going as well you'd like soon after a marathon. It does sounds like a combination of things. A bit below-par physically still, maybe not quite mentally into it yet, starting at a different time of day, that bloody wind (yep, we had it too, and rain). I agree with Ewen, next outing give yourself a good chance to run well. Good bit of fuel the day before, nice night's rest, make it the first thing that gets done that day, mentally focus on the job at hand. I am in total favour of low fuel long-running and know it does make for extra fatigue at the end of the run. But it all gets paid back on race day when you are a more efficient fuel-burning machine.
ReplyDeleteJust think, now you have your bad run out of the way before Nagano! If you're anything like me, afternoon sessions are always low on fuel and water. I always find them a struggle, but if I make it, I reckon they must help in the long run. Even gettin 30 km in the legs has to be of benefit and add to the fitness.
ReplyDeleteI'm still laughing at that video.
Tesso might have a point about it not being too far down the track since Tokyo but my experience tells me any number of factors could be in play, including those mentioned by you and "Mr Lacy".
ReplyDeleteThrow in the lingering affects of a alien abduction, a mis-alignment of the planets, and a viewing of Paris Hilton's sun glasses and I think we have just about covered most reasons why a run feels a bit more sluggish than others.
Newton's laws also apply - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is a mathematical certainty that a good day will follow the bad one!