Today's run was my first "long run" of the new training season. I put in 7.5 miles, which will pale in comparison to what I'll be doing in a few months - assuming I don't get sidelined again.
This run didn't feel fantastic, and it's by no means representative of what I hope my marathon finish will be like, but it's the first one so I'll cut myself some slack.
Still, I'm relentlessly hard on myself so I need objective measurements. I haven't yet repeated last year's races (Fetzer 20k will be the first opportunity), but I can compare where I am this year at my first long run of the season to last year - when I was just getting started after several years of no running. Here's a direct comparison:
January 2009
- Still smoking
- Somewhere around 20 lbs heavier
- Long run pace of 11-12 min/mile
- Willing to run in -13 degree weather...outside!
January 2010
- Smoke free for almost a year
- 20 lbs lighter, plus increased muscle mass (about 15% less body fat)
- Long run pace of 9:40 min/mile
- Much wimpier about the weather I'll run in (or more sane?)
There are numerous other areas in my life where I would like to make as much progress. I'm sad that I haven't and I'm getting very impatient. I think the reason I've always liked running is that the results are usually pretty consistent with the amount of effort I put forth in training. The frustrating thing is that I don't seem to be able to achieve these same results with other areas of my life. So many things are outside my locus of control. The objectivity I need now is to resolve what IS within my locus of control in these other areas. I'm not in a place at this point in my life to wait for help from others. Is it depressing to think that as long as you keep waiting for that help, you'll probably never get it. Or is it realistic? Or am I just going through post-divorce disillusionment?
Whatever. When everything else fails, there is the run.
On to less solemn topics.
I experimented with some kinesio taping, that Sports Authority finally started to carry. Here's the technique I used:
I can't scientifically test the method of taping that I'm using (vs. no taping at all), but I'm willing to keep using it as long as I can keep running without injury. I do feel much stronger.
Always do what you can with what you got.
