Weekly recap: 3 miles on the treadmill, 12:00 average, socks
So, some of us are out there killing 22- and 27-milers in soul-sucking heat and humidity. Others, determined to stay positive and maintain fitness while unable to run, have been cross-training like madmen. And then there are the rest of us, who have been sitting immobile on our asses for the past two weeks. We do this to make the rest of you feel really good about yourselves. YOU'RE WELCOME. And also because we've been sidelined, sick, and completely uninterested in cross-training.
Yes, this is the sad state of affairs here at JJo headquarters. Last year when I couldn't run, I'm pretty sure I increased my activity level, doing hours of (boot-clad) walking, swimming, at-home pilates, and light spinning. This year, my heart's just not in it. I want to run or hike. That's it. The weather's not really cooperating with me on the hiking front (the Chugach Mountains should be renamed "mud" every August), so for now I'm "Lazing Jeano."
But you know what? Who cares? Sure, I'm significantly weaker than I was on June 22 and carrying around 5 or 6 extra pounds (about that... my appetite's still raging despite the fact that I don't move anymore), but I'm going to be just fine. The world's not crashing down around me, my jeans still fit (for now...), and I've got more important things on my mind. Like having fun and, holy shit, moving to a place where I have no housing and no friends (or even acquaintances)!
That's not to say I'm not itching to run again. In fact, I ran 3 amazing miles this morning and loved every second of it. I just mean that I'm finally being chill about my running (although let's be serious: if I were training for something right now, I'd be flipping the f-ck out). Finally. It's unfortunate that I've lost a lot of the fitness I worked so hard to gain, but in the long run, running injury-free is much more important to me than getting back to higher mileage as soon as possible. It definitely helps that I'm moving to ultraland and have ultra fever. I can't wait to get going on that once I've figured out my life.
Oh, and can we just pretend I never mentioned that half marathon next weekend? I'm fairly certain I could run 13 reasonably-paced miles right now, but given my recent mileage (or lack thereof), doing so would be dumb. This, my friends, is why I don't talk about running in my normal life. Now I have to go crawling back to my coworker to tell her that not only am I not going to win, but I'm not even going to run. I'm really looking forward to the "scared by the competition, huh?" comments I'm sure to receive.
I'll leave you with what has become one of my favorite pictures (collages?), and my motivation to get back out there even if the weather blows.
.jpg)
.jpg)
It's perfectly fine for you and running to take a little "break." You were SO diligent and hardcore in marathon training that you and your beau (meaning "running") should get back to the basics of why the two of you fell in love in the first place. Basically, your marathon was like planning a big wedding and now that it's over...it's time for you two to settle down and relax. Plus, you've got MAJOR life events happening right now-- ain't nobody got time to be running a half marathon!
ReplyDeleteWhat I really need to do is get a new beau!
DeleteSince I'm not doing my half, I can sit back and watch y'all train for killer halfs! Speaking of which, you owe us a training update soon! I feel like it's been a while.
WHAT?! You aren't going to win? I want my money back for visiting your blog. UGGGH
ReplyDeleteWill you rename your blog - Ultra Jeano? And have like an X-Men (Women) theme to it?
Wait, money?! Where! I assume you really mean I have to pay you more to read my crap.
DeleteSomehow I think I'll always be a jogger at heart so for now, Jogging Jeano stays.
Glad you're feeling perky enough to run! Yep, time to chill out. Perhaps sign up for a new thing? I find I get stuck in a bit of a rut when not specifically training. (And when training I freak myself out by putting wayyy too much pressure on myself. Yep. Sorry.)
ReplyDeleteBut it sounds like moving and school will be exciting enough as it is. Don't forget to actually enjoy yourself. Yes, it is worth it going apple-picking or rafting or out for beers with grad school classmates instead of staying in on the last sunny weekend in fall trying to finish an assignment. I learnt this lesson the hard way...
I'll keep that in mind! I'm really tempted to sign up for a new thing, but since I have no idea what it's going to be like (first semester is supposed to be brutal), I've got to wait. I've definitely been thinking about it though!
DeleteEeek! Go ahead and be lazy. You are moving and need to figure out where! One day I am sure you will do a kick butt half and blow your two hour goal away (I KNOW you can do that one). But for now, take it easy, enjoy the fact that you did run a marathon, and for goodness sake: find a place to live already so we are not worried about you camping out alone along on Pre's trail!
ReplyDeleteI was actually looking at a place just next to Pre's Rock (which I guess is a landmark?). I totally wrote those people about living with them but they ignored me. Rude!
DeleteHa, I might have spoke big words about crazy cross training dreams, but that ended up being one swim last week..and a measly attempt at an upper body strength workout the same day. That was a week ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to blame it on Zach's appendix for as long as I can hold out ;).
The words "ultra fever" brought joy to my heart. Ha. Lets do one together in Oregon. That sounds much better than DC.
Don't think that thought hasn't crossed my mind! When I was bed-ridden last week I was feverishly googling ultras and semi-seriously wondering whether you'd come do one with me. No pressure, obviously (wait, scratch that: TONS of pressure). But let's not get ahead of ourselves-we should probably start running again before making any crazy plans!
DeleteI make my best crazy plans when I'm out of commission ;) I have one right now, actually, but I'm sitting on it a week to decide if it's crazy crazy, or just normal crazy.
DeleteAlso, look what I just found: http://oregontrailseries.org/ Brilliant. Pick one. We're doing it. Sometime in the future when I actually have money for a plane ticket.
ORRRR we could meet half way and do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim..because that's on my bucket list.
Sorry, no way-I will never, ever run long in a hot place. I just can't. But I WILL read about you doing it and cheer loudly at your awesome achievement. I also like the idea of making you do all the traveling while I sit on my laurels. So much easier!
DeleteMy vote is for Mt. Hood 50, Siskiyou (although out-and-backs, even long ones, suuuuuck), and Waldo 100k, although I'm not even sure whether I'll stay in Oregon for the summer. Also, I need to learn what ultra running is. Mark your calendar!
I can't wait to hear your crazy crazy!
I think after an intense training bout (and yes, Jeano, you are intense), a break is a good thing. Sure, you're losing a little fitness, but not a ton - and overall, it's not a bad strategy for helping to keep you healthy and injury free (especially when you have tweaky bits). And heck, isn't this supposed to be fun, after all?
ReplyDeleteAnd all I can say is, if THAT is what your co-workers would say about your running plans...then you need new co-workers. Get thee to grad school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, no, my coworkers are awesome! We just like to give each other a hard time. And believe me, I give as good as I get ;).
DeleteTaking a break after being in training for so many months sounds like a good plan to me. Like you said, it's a good way to keep you injury-free and I bet it'll keep you from feeling burned out, too. Hope your coworkers don't give you too much grief over your half. If they do, just give 'em hell!
ReplyDeleteOh and best of luck with the moving to a new place where you know no one. :) Make some ultra runner friends. They won't mind the weirdo things you come up with while running. In fact, they will probably one up you in the weirdness department.