Happy Easter Sunday! This is my last training recap because my race was yesterday. I’ll be posting my race recap on Tuesday, but this race adds to my history of racing poorly. I think I deserve a special award for doing so badly in a race following a pretty decent training cycle. I read a lot of running blogs, and I think I’m unique with this special talent! At any rate, it wasn’t the race I hoped for but it was the race I was expecting. While I gave myself all sorts of pep talk, I didn’t truly believe it would be a good race. And it wasn’t. I ran this race just 36 seconds faster than I ran it last year, but I did that race as a training run. Sad trombone. Tune in Tuesday to find out why this race just sucked for me. Here are my final training stats, my final training recap, and what’s next.
Week at a Glance
- Days running: 5
- Miles this week: 26.3
- Miles this training cycle: 593.54
- Miles this month: 133.9
- Miles this year: 462.32
- Time running: 5 hours, 17 minutes
- Strength training sessions: 0
- Stretching: 4 days
- Foam rolling: 4 days
Weekly Recap
Monday
Easy run: 3 miles | 38:27 | 12:49 pace (30 degrees)
In the evening I did just 10 minutes of some very light core and strength work. I’d read that you should suspend strength training the week of the race.
Tuesday
Easy run: 4 miles | 51:43 | 12:56 pace (30 degrees)
Wednesday
Rest day. I did some yoga and just a few minutes of core exercises.
Thursday
Easy run: 4 miles | 51:06 | 12:46 pace (50 degrees)
Friday
Easy run: 2 miles | 25:52 | 12:56 pace (50 degrees feels like 46)
Saturday
Just a Short Run Half Marathon–13.3 miles. Recap coming on Tuesday!
Sunday
Rest and Easter dinner with my family. Hope you all enjoyed your Easter if you celebrate!
What’s Next
I have been waiting for this upcoming week for a while and am thrilled that it’s finally here. I mentioned in a previous post that I’d gained weight. Everyone who commented that it was probably just muscle is very kind. No, I can see the difference. There is flab where I am not used to having flab, and it’s bothered me nearly every second of every day since it appeared. I’ve been counting down the days until my race is over so that I can work to get back to a weight that feels good to me. So this week starts Operation Lean and Strong! I’ve created a plan that I’ll post soon. While the Hansons’ plan calls for taking seven days off running, it does say you can do other light activities. So this will be my transition week, where I’ll do yoga, some light strength training, and lots of walking while I take a rest from running. So excited!
Also, while I so wanted training to be over, I think I need another go at 13.1. I don’t think I can stand having this awful race, my worst run of all of my training, be the ending of my training. So I think I’ll do it again, this time on my own outside of a race evironment, on my trail, early in the morning, just like how I love to run and where I run the best. The question is when. I’d like to get it done as soon as possible. Is doing it next weekend after 7 days of rest okay? Or do I wait 2 weeks?
I’m linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin for their Weekly Wrap. Have a great week!
I don’t comment very often, but read every post, and just wanted to say that I am sorry the race wasn’t what you wanted! All I can say is, you still rock and it is still impressive to me that you’ve run two 1/2 marathons. I have done none! I look forward to your recap and your new training plan! I love them!
Thank you!
I’m so sorry you had a bad race! We have all been there (raises hand). I think you should give it another shot since you had such a great training cycle. Enjoy your rest week!
Steff at Run Steff Run recently posted…The Week That Was: 3.21 – 3.27
Thanks! I think trying it again will at least bring me some closure.
I’m sorry to hear your race didn’t go well. It’s really not just you. I think people tend not to write about and focus on disappointments.
After having my first daughter, I had a string of bad half marathons but frustratingly set a 5k PR. I had races 30 to 60 min longer than predicted by other race times, and training paces. I eventually figured out a good training plan that worked for me at the time and finally had a good half marathon. (See, I felt it was too depressing to end my comment without mentioning the one good half marathon I had after almost a year and a half of disappointments.)
Thanks so much for sharing. This really makes me feel better. When it seems it’s just me, I start thinking something must be really wrong with me.
Congrats on a hard training cycle! It’s the journey, right? I have had an injury since August that has kept me from running more than 10 miles a week. There have been weeks I could not read any running blogs because it’s was too painful to see…what I want to do but can’t. I admire your strength and commitment. Also, the fact that you do all this without injury! Love your body, no matter the weight or pace. I dropped pounds during my downtime, maybe because I’m not so hungry and not eating as much. I bet you will do the same. Thank you for sharing your experience! Looking forward to hearing about marathon training 🙂 I hope you are ultimately proud of all you have accomplished, as you have probably inspired more women than you realize.
Thanks for the kind words and sharing. You’re so right that it’s all about the journey, and we just need to keep doing the best we can with the cards we’re dealt. Thank you!
Sorry that your race did not go well. We have all had those days unfortunately. So don’t beat yourself up over it. You did something that about 99% of the population wouldn’t even attempt!
Here’s a radical idea: how about just running, no Garmin, no race pace goals, just running for fun. Then do a race. You may be surprised at the times you will achieve without stressing to get to them!
As for eating, you know your body and what works for you and what you need to fuel your workouts.
You put a lot of pressure on yourself to train for this race, following a specific training and nutrition plan. Maybe if you run with fewer rules and just do it for the love of it, you’ll do great! (I’m speaking from experience.)
Thank you! Yes, I’ll be running just for fun from now on. I learned some valuable things from this race, and one is just I don’t do very well in race environments, nor do I like them much. I really need to get back to running that feels good to me, just for fun without the pressure of a race. I’m glad to hear this approach worked well for you!
Sorry to hear about your bad race 🙁 Just think of that as your final 13.1 miles of a fantastic training cycle and you had to finish that to get your medal. The real win for you was training so hard! Even though you have a block about racing and it doesn’t show the hard work you put in, you still get a medal at the end and that is for all your hard work. Very well deserved for pushing yourself so much!
Gretchen recently posted…Weekend Highlights
Thank you, Gretchen! You’re definitely right that I should focus on the big picture. I keep telling myself it’s all about the journey and need to believe and trust in that!
So, if it were me wanting to run another half, I would take this week slow, do the yoga, stretching & walking to mentioned & try for another half on Saturday, on my own terms. I hate to say two weeks is too far away, since a lot of training plans // blogs I read would probably recommend two weeks, but I think one is enough to rest you up without getting you too far away from all the hard running you put in to get here.
It sucks that your JASR race didn’t reflect your true running abilities, but, I’m glad you recognize that you put the work in, because you have worked so hard. I bet you will rock your not-race river trail HM whenever you choose to do it.
Also excited to hear about Operation Get Lean. I feel like I’ve gotten flabby this training cycle too. And I am not pleased.
Thanks for the input on when to try again! I think you’re right that this weekend is best. Plus, the weather still looks like it will be cool, which is a plus.
Ugh… I’m sorry the race didn’t go the way you wanted 🙁 It sounds like a good plan to try another 13.1 miles on your own terms just so you can have a better ending to this training cycle. And I look forward to hearing about your new plan. I’ve also got some Winter padding that I need to get rid of and that’s my plan for something to work hard at between now and when my next training cycle starts in August.
Chaitali recently posted…Oldfields Half Marathon training – week 3
Thank you! I think the time between training is really a great time to focus on the other things that are so important to us.
Sorry to hear about your race, Jennifer. You had another good training cycle – I’m glad you are going to give it another go on your own terms. I’m working on shedding some weight too – I can tell it has impacted my running (prob mentally too).
Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run recently posted…2015 Damascus Freedom 5K Race Recap
Thank you! Ugh, the winter weight gain! I’m determined to work hard at getting it off though!
You’re going to crush your Operation Lean and Strong <3
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #43
Thank you! 🙂
I’m so sorry it didn’t go well. You had such stellar training and I can see not wanting to end the cycle with your worst run. I’d take it easy this week and go ahead and try it again on your own terms this weekend, before you get too far into your own head. Wash the taste of this race out!
Jessica S recently posted…Prepping for a smoother trip
Thank you! Yes, I think you’re right that this weekend’s best. I just need to do it again for my sanity and don’t want to wait too long.
Bummed for you friend. You’re certainly not alone, everyone has bad races, sometimes almost all the time, even if it feels like you’re alone in that regard. I agree with the comment above as looking at the race as your reward for the training — enjoying the journey, etc.
I like the idea of re-attempting on your own terms. Hard to say if 1-2 weeks is better without reading your race report and splits, I think either could work.
Carina recently posted…Struggling
Thank you! And it is good to know I’m not alone. And thanks for your thoughts on timing. I think I’m going to give it a go this weekend.
I hate your race did not reflect all of your training. I guess some races are just like that. I think I would want a do over myself. You ran a lot during your training maybe change up and try a different method. I always do better after I’ve rested for several days. You should be able to get back out there this weekend!
Tricia@MissSippiPiddlin.com recently posted…Weekly Wrap 34 Easter
Thanks for your thoughts! I think I am going to try it again this weekend.
Don’t get too frustrated Jennifer. Whatever outcome you want will come together one day like magic. But hey — you just finished another half marathon. Be proud. I’d wake up one morning without planning and just run your race. Do it without stress or worry. I think you’ll surprise yourself. Thanks for linking.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Rain, Rain (WW # 34)
Thank you!!!
So sorry your race did not go as you had hoped. I know that’s especially disappointing after a solid training program. I think it can be very easy to defeat ourselves mentally, and that plays such a huge role even when we’re physically strong and prepared. We are often our own worst enemies.
I like your plan of giving the 13.1 another go and I definitely thing all of the training you did will support that. Personally, I would wait two weeks. Take it easy this week and recover, do some light running maybe this coming weekend and then give it a go next weekend.
Meagan recently posted…Montvale 10 Miler – Race Report
So sorry your race did not go as you had hoped. I know that’s especially disappointing after a solid training program. I think it can be very easy to defeat ourselves mentally, and that plays such a huge role even when we’re physically strong and prepared. We are often our own worst enemies.
I like your plan of giving the 13.1 another go and I definitely thing all of the training you did will support that. Personally, I would wait two weeks. Take it easy this week and recover, do some light running maybe this coming weekend and then give it a go next weekend.
Meagan recently posted…Oh, The Places You’ll Go