So, I sit here with a lot on my mind. I was thinking of doing another marathon on June 1 in Steamboat Springs after the disaster that was the Colorado Marathon here in Fort Collins. After discussing it with the 2 people who's opinions I think the most of when it comes to running and the RW forums, I have decided to forgo this marathon. It was further confirmed when today, after work, I attempted my second hard workout in a row for the first time since the marathon. After 5 miles on the hills of Horsetooth yesterday, I attempted 5 miles at 10k pace and crashed after 4 miles. Even with 2 weeks rest, the conclusion is that my body is not ready to run another marathon. And I was asked today, that if I couldn't BQ or PR the race, why run it. With the exception of a 5k I did on Fathers Day weekend last year, I have run every race ever to PR, and that one I didn't because I had finished a 10k for the same event just about 20 minutes before it started. Is going up and running a 3:20 or so going to make it all better? No. It might make me feel a little better, but I am probably better off using the fuel in my training for Chicago or NY. Also, I ran back to back hard workouts this weekend and at the end of the 2nd, I really struggled. My body won't be ready for another marathon in just 2+ weeks.
I plan to run the Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day, probably start to hit the abundance of 5k's here untill about the 4th of July, then I should know if its a October or November marathon for me, then I can start training accordingly. I have yet to run a good race at Boulder. I ran last years Bolder Boulder in 46:32. That's 23:16 per 5k. And I remember the run vividly, how lousy it went. I reappeared in Boulder for the Colder Boulder Invite in December, about a month before the PF Chang marathon in Phoenix. It's a 5k and I ran a blistering 21:56. I remember that race too. I led it for about a mile and half before I started to come apart. My PR for a 10k is 44:57, which was 3 weeks after the Bolder Boulder last year. I've only run two of them, but I expect my PR should fall on Memorial Day. I'm looking for something in the 42's. I think that would be ok. 21:30 per 5k should be doable. With that being said, I do love the Bolder Boulder. I get to start in the 3rd wave, so the 50000 people behind me are not a problem. I might have trouble liking this race if I had to start in the middle, or run the Open race. It should be fun, and hopefully the weather is nice.
Happy Friday all...
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5 comments:
smart move. I don't know who these wise men were who gave you this sage advice, but I think you should buy them a few beers next time you see them.
Congrats, Kal. I'm glad you're aiming high. I think you'll smash last year's finish at the Bolder Boulder.
How will you race it? Will you, say, run 22 for the first 5K and then 21 for the next, to get your 21:30 per 5K? I have never raced a 10K before.
Lol. Sam Adams for all next time I see you guys, hopefully in Chicago this Oct. In advance of us all running NY. :-)
I have only run the 2 before, but I think the 10k is a cool race. Boulder last year was my very first 10k and very early in racing for me. They are long enough that you can't let it all hang out like in a 5k, but short enough that you can still push your mile times. I'll try and run this one with even mile times the entire way. Right around 6:55 per mile. If I have learned nothing else since I started running longer races is that the best way for me to race is NOT to run as fast as I can all the way through,and just try to hang on in the end. I burn out. I'll do the 6:55 per and if around the 7k mark, I feel like I have something left, I'll push it. The course is hilly, but not too bad. My biggest thing is not trying to get through the half in under 20 minutes, or I'll probably be walking the 2nd half, lol.
Thanks again guys.
Sounds like a good call. Hopefully I'll see you around at one of the locals this summer. I'm still up in the air on Bolder, but I suppose I need to make the call in the next few days.
4chi
Hey Kal - you are clearly doing the right thing. Give your body a break already!
Run the 10k at a blistering speed, and let the mary wait for your return in the Fall.
You're so smart, you know. :-)
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