The Perils of Self Betterment

April 29, 2024

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Jan 17, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

yearly mileage totals (actual running miles, not crosstraining etc)

2008 - 1,317

2009 - 2,654

2010 - 2,578

2011 - 2,618

2012 - 3,083 (ran everyday this year. PR's in half and full marathons, at age 48!)

2013 - 1,177

2014 - 1,716

2015 - 1,060

2016 - 951

2017 - 786

2018 - 1,058

2019 - 1,211

2020 - 1010

2021 - 1064.9

2022 - 1135.9

Short-Term Running Goals:

reacquaint myself with my long lost running freak, and then proceed to get my running freak on

run faster

increase mileage in the Spring

keep running

Long-Term Running Goals:

run

Personal:

born in 1964. married 25 years. one wife one dog

6 ft tall, nation wide

"Engaging in a little suffering — however self-imposed, arbitrary and contrived — before breakfast each morning tends to demand some humility and injects some marked relief into the rest of the day, making things sharper, more inspired, more immediately aware of the powerful presence of being. And that seems really worthwhile." A. Krupicka

"I cruised down hills, churned up hills, and floated over the asphalt, existing in a world that seemed to lack the confinements of such ubiquitous rivets as time, obligation, or pain. I knew then that this was destined to be one of those serendipitous runs for which so many of
us strive yet so rarely achieve." J. Nevels

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Switchbacksblack Lifetime Miles:						176.50
Kinvara11(2) Lifetime Miles:						362.50
Kinvara11blue Lifetime Miles:						327.70
Rincon2 Lifetime Miles:						262.40
Spg 4�s Lifetime Miles:						135.50
Skechers Razor3 Lifetime Miles:						160.90
Rincon2(2) Lifetime Miles:						85.50
Asics Noosa14 Lifetime Miles:						73.00
Sauconyaxon2 Lifetime Miles:						73.80
Mach 4 Lifetime Miles:						34.50

Sat, Jul 11, 2009

Total Distance

12.00

7:00 AM. Overcast, 75 degrees. Nice morning. Bluff trail.

I lack experience with this consistent running/training stuff. I am a little frustrated that three or four months ago I could run twelve miles a half minute per mile average pace faster than today, AND today felt like it took a lot of effort. What's going on? I have been going easier for the last five weeks because of a sore achilles, but I've been keeping the weekly mileage around 50. Could I lose that much fitness that quickly? Is it my age? (45 yrs.). Is this normal? I know I'll never be a "fast" runner. But I was okay with that as long as I could improve/maintain. But lately it feels like I'm going backwards! Argh.

That being said, I sure do love running...

Add: In spite of my little whine fest, I should say that I felt stronger on this run than I have for a while.

Trail Shoe Miles: 12.00

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Adam RW on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 12:25:26 from 155.101.152.103

Great weather all around. That is how all weekends should be.

From Lysa on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 13:09:49 from 76.23.52.240

it must be something in the air. I definintly dont think you are losing your touch, I personally think running is tough bc you NEVER know how you will feel on any given day. Planning long runs is all good but you could wake up in a funk and theres nothing you can do about it but run throught the funk. Your still a rockstar in my book, good job!

From Adam RW on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 13:12:54 from 155.101.152.103

No fair putting a long entry after I've already commented... I think the cumulative mileage wrecks your legs in the short term. However, the long term pay off is completely worth it. I don't know if you notice what pace I do most of my mileage. Look back this time last year. I was racing marathons just over 6min pace but doing a lot of my training mileage well over 8min pace. Remember the high mileage is for the race a couple months down the road. Not for the training run today... Keep of the consistent work and it will pay off.

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 13:30:05 from 67.171.56.164

Never ask a question like "What's going on?" It opens you up to all kinds of weirdos like me giving you advice: "It's the Capn Crunch! You are eating too much sugar and it is poisoning you. Insulin resistance! Switch to dates, bananas and start making your own pemican to take on runs. That will be $50 please." ;)

From JD on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 14:05:24 from 64.65.159.206

Lysa - Thanks for responding. It's true what you say about the daily funk-factor.

Adam - Yeah, sorry about that. I saw you commented after my short entry. Thanks for the perpective. I have noticed that your pace varies quite a bit. I've always admired that you, an elite runner, knows how to run his "easy" runs truly easy. Thanks for the encouragement.

Sno - Thanks for the advice. You're right on about the sugar poisoning, it's always been one of my many weaknesses, and actually I've been introducing fruit into my diet the last few weeks. I know the fruit has alot of sugar, but it satisfies the cravings and it's got to be better than Zingers, German chocolate cake, and Cap'n Crunch.

Oh yeah...ka-ching!

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 14:28:41 from 71.229.164.25

I think there's a summertime funk going on. Or maybe Snoqualmie is right and it's the sugar. I've got the same problem as you.

From auntieem on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 17:36:05 from 67.182.145.8

Yeah, probably Sno is right. But running does have plateaus, and your probably sitting on one right now! Read "Born to Run". It will inspire and kick new life into your running shoes.

From JD on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 20:00:28 from 166.128.200.61

Thanks Carolyn and Auntieem, I think it's a funky sugarcoated plateau and I'm about to slide right off it any day now!

I've been looking forward to getting "Born to Run" soon. That and "Once A Runner".

From Adam RW on Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 22:11:22 from 98.202.223.65

Once A Runner and its sequel Again into Carthage are both good reads. I read them at the right times in my life though. Let me know what you think. Born to Run has to be my next book people keep recommending it to me as well.

From Snoqualmie on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 15:09:52 from 67.171.56.164

I second the vote for reading Born To Run. I'm about half way through right now. It is "life altering."

Add Your Comment.

Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.

Debt Reduction Calculator

Featured Announcements

Most Recent Entries:

New Kids on the Blog
(need a welcome):

Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):