The Perils of Self Betterment

December 21, 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

Mon, Jan 10, 2011

Total Distance

0.00

Excuses for not running today:

1) I'm not really training for anything yet. (Though maybe I should be).

2) I've had this little lingering cold for two weeks that won't go away.

3) Every fiber of my being sais "don't run today" and I'm just not inclined to fight it.

WARNING: RAMBLE AHEAD.

Maybe I'm not cut out to be a high mileage runner. I hit a high week of 67 miles last Thursday, but I certainly won't be repeating that again this week. It seems like my body can handle 60-70 mpw for a couple of weeks in a row but then needs a break. Perhaps it's age and my mileage buildups just need to come slower. It could be that I'm expecting too much after just a couple of solid years of running (really, 2 1/2 years). Maybe it will take four or five years before I can handle several 70-80 mile weeks in a row. For now I'll just keep plugging away as best as I can and hope that someday all the work will allow some breakthroughs here and there. The long term plan is to reach my running prime in my early 50's (I'm 46 yrs old). I've got to be patient and do it right; stay healthy, avoid injury. I'm certainly grateful to be healthy and running today.

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From JD on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 15:09:06 from 70.96.78.149

But really I'm just making excuses to not run today.

From april27 on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 18:41:27 from 99.188.251.180

I think you are also being hard on yourself. 2.5 years of running and you want to be what an 80 mpw person?

ON good weeks I get to 30 or 40...and that is when I"m training for something. (and I have been serious running for about 2+ years)

Any who take a day off and don't feel guilty! go blow your nose!

From auntieem on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 19:38:47 from 98.247.176.184

Whoa! I hear some discouragement creeping in here. I think your last "excuse" is the one to listen to. That is a ton of mileage and it SHOULD make you tired. I have hit 80+ for a few weeks in a row, but I never hover around there for long. Many plans call for buildup and then cut back weeks - maybe you need one of those. And, hey, you are NOT OLD, dude!

From allie on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 19:43:23 from 174.23.238.75

i don't respond well to high mileage either. for a time i just tried to force it, assuming that's what was going to make me a better runner. i suffered from a bad case of mileage greed when i wasn't ready for it and ended up injured, burned out and frustrated.

while there is truth to the notion that running high mileage will lead to improvements in your running, everyone has a different definition for "high" (i have some alternative definitions as well -- come visit my garden to find out). the trick is finding the right balance between "more" and "enough"

you have done some awesome things over the past 2.5 years, and i am certain you will continue to improve. george w. bush is going down (i hope the government doesn't read that).

From JD on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 21:36:46 from 24.10.171.14

Thanks for indulging me in this little pity party. You guys are awesome and know just what to say!

April - I had a guilt free day off. I'm pretty tired of blowing my nose!

Auntieem - a cut back week every three or four weeks is a good idea I agree. I feel like I'm doing the opposite: a big week, then 3 or 4 cut back weeks. Lol!

Allie - you crack me up. You're like the funniest person I don't really know. I'll be stopping by come harvest time, with G.W. in tow!

From Lysa on Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 12:34:53 from 50.8.107.35

Allie, you are the funniest person. I agree.

JD- I know you weren't fishing for compliments with this entry, but I along with everyone else have been very impressed with what you have done mileage wise. I don't know If I will EVER have the desire to take it up to that notch. I congratulate you for doing what you have done.

I also think you are being smart and cautious. And that is awesome also.

From Kelli on Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 18:40:30 from 71.219.84.215

I am a day late (and most likely a day short) BUT I noticed a lot last year with my huge mileage increase and the #1 thing was SERIOUS BURN-OUT. I do not recommend it. I also have seen several plans that say 3 weeks of intensity (whether it is in miles or speed or whatever else) and then a week off (not completely off, but super easy).

That said, I really think every person is different and needs to find their own training plan. What works for me will not necessarily work for you or anyone else.

You are a great runner and every great runner needs a break and some perspective. Take a break, use the illness and the freakin' cold temperatures to take it!

From Stacie on Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 19:09:02 from 174.52.12.218

Always listen to the fibers of your being.

From JD on Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 22:28:43 from 24.10.171.14

Thanks Lysa, Kelli, and Stacie. I'm resting my fibers as we speak, er, blog.

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):