A Change of Pace

Posted by on Jan 15, 2013 in Articles, Motivation, Race Day, Running, Training, Workouts | 2 Comments

Literally for me. My focus this year has shifted from distance and endurance to running a faster pace.

Two weeks into the year and two months since my last event and I feel like I am slacking. Not putting in the mileage I was and instead trading it for more pace oriented training sessions. Intervals, pace runs, and hill work have become my training buddies. Setting benchmarks so I can track my improvement and progress throughout the year. This is what is needed to conquer this years goals.

Unfortunately I have a short attention span, especially if it comes at the cost of something I really love, distance. So what was I to do but satiate my longing with a long weekend trail run. Not an official “race” but an event none the less. A lot of people who love running going out to tackle some trails for 25k or 50k.

This will be a great fitness test and will definitely show how much and what I have lost. It will also allow me to see where I need to adjust my current training to keep my endurance for any 50k or possibly 50 miler that may catch my eye this year after my March double weekend.

Finding the perfect balance in training may take some time but it can and must be done. The benchmarks that I have set surprised me because I thought I had lost more speed but my 5k time is way off from my best and even farther from my goal pace.

This is keeping this year fun and interesting. I am learning new things and enjoying the journey.

This year will be painful. This year will be a lot of hard work. But by changing things up once in awhile while keeping my eyes on my goals will ensure that it remains fun and a labor of love.   

What are your goals? Why do you train? It may hurt, but in the end you should always enjoy the result no matter how many times you may fail before reaching your potential. Changing things up once in a while can allow you to have it all.

“A runner must run with dreams in his heart, not money in his pocket.”  Emil Zatopek

“The human body can do so much. Then the heart and spirit must take over”   Sohn Kee-Chung


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2 Comments

  1. Chris Hayes
    January 15, 2013

    I’ve done the opposite. While my strength has been the 10K distance, I now find myself out to tackle some 50K’s, 50 Milers, and more this year. It is absolutely amazing what the body can do. And I’m loving every minute of it. Although it’s very hard to “want” to put a headlamp on and run 10 miles of trails after an 11-1/2 hour workday, I’m happy I did after about a mile into it. I’ll rest when I get old, perhaps.

    Reply
  2. Travis Owens
    January 15, 2013

    Enjoy the journey Chris. Distance running is my true passion but I have some pesky goals that will not allow me to rest until they are reached.
    Apparently you are like me and prefer the evening fitness workouts. Have fun pushing and expanding your limits.
    Plenty of time to rest after we die.

    Reply

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