Tuesday, June 14, 2011

44.35 ...

44.35

It's June 14th and 44.35 is how many miles I have run this month.

44.35

8 weeks ago, I was running 44.35 miles in a single week.

44.35

It's hard to hold yourself back when you know what you are capable of. It's hard to slow down when the group is pulling you along. It's hard to watch your friends keep running after you've hit your "mileage cap" for the week or run. It's hard to stop yourself from doing more than you should.

There is a fine line between training well and overtraining. The thing to remember is that training well can even encompass undertraining at times. With overtraining comes danger. And injury. And burn out. I truly believe that it's better to be 10% undertrained and healthy than 10% overtrained and injured.

These are the things that I have to remind myself of, as I return from this injury. I need to remember that I did not take a day off. I took a month off. I need to rebuild my base. And I need to do that smartly. No crazy jumps in mileage. No all out bursts of speed. Slow and steady win the race. And I am in it to win it. Just like always.

I will get back to where I was. And I will be stronger than I was before. It's going to take a while. And I'm not going to see 44.35 in a single week any time soon. But it will happen. I just have to trust the training ...



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18 comments:

agirlcallededdy said...

You can do it! Just think about how much self discipline it takes to run all those miles, and channel that self discipline into methodically and patiently working your way back! Probably easier said than done!

Rachel said...

Yes! I know it's got to be hard to hold yourself back, but I think you are doing amazing.. 44.25 miles in a month is impressive still!

Running Ricig said...

You'll get back there no problem. You're doing awesome!

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

oh my gosh, i can SO relate to this! i think when i started running again after my baby was born i overdid it...i was too eager to get back into the FULL swing of things and wasn't as patient with myself as i should have been. i learned my lesson...and now i am rebuilding again. marathon training starts on saturday and i am going to be SMART about this.
you are going to get there - before you know it! thanks for this reminder and for all of your inspiration!!!

Kortni said...

I think the amount of running and biking you are currently doing is amazing...truly inspiring. It will come!

gba_gf said...

WORD.

So proud of how well you've handled this - with both grace and patience.

And when you ARE healthy and able, you'll HAVE to come check out THE BEST WORKOUT FOR RUNNERS in Richmond. I.can't.wait. for that day.

H Love said...

I feel ya...patience is a virtue! Hang in there!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Such a smart girl you are. :)

Marlene said...

Hey, it's a lot better than your first two weeks of May, right?? You are coming along and your patience and determination WILL pay off!

I have heard that 10% undertrained VS 10% overtrained before - so true!!

SupermomE13 said...

You are being smart and doing what will make you a better runner long term. Great job!!! Hang in there... your mileage will be back up before you know it. :)

Runners Fuel said...

Very smart. Keep up the good, slow pace. Great job being patient!!

Unknown said...

As hard as it is... you are being smart! :) You'll be back in no time...

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Now that is a post from a smart athlete!

I love your 10% and healthy. I'll remind myself of that as I cross train and run. It is a challenge to "let go" of mileage numbers when I am used to getting them BUT I want to error on the 10% and healthy side of training too. Thanks for the reminder!

Cory Reese said...

Mercy, you are so right. After working through some injury stuff, I've kind of changed my training to have my goal be to get to the starting line healthy.

You mentioned some great tips! Hang in there.

Tricia said...

youre doing great, and I'm seriously inspired by how you've handled all this

April said...

Hello! I'm a follower of Wells L and a new blogger/runner.

Love your blog. Hope you check mine out as well. :)

ihaverun said...

Your attitude is exactly in the right place for your situation. It sounds like you are doing everything right. You have been a great example to other runners - and riders, of course =) - who are dealing with injuries!

Julie D. said...

You will definitely come back stronger than where you were before. Sometimes it takes as much mental toughness to recover and comeback as it does to intensely train and run a marathon. The patience it requires is almost painful. You've got this, T. You are a strong, smart, experienced runner and you will get back to where you were and beyond.