[The video on the right is provided as a soundtrack for this post. You don’t need to watch it, just push play and listen while you read, that is, if you’re capable of two things at once.]
I’ve stated previously that my training right now is aimed towards a sub 50 minute time in the upcoming Bolder Boulder 10K. I’m just now starting to get into the heart of my training and I find myself struggling to keep up with the suggested paces and this is causing me to doubt my ability to run an 8 minute pace for 6.2 miles. I know, it must be hard for you to believe that someone as awesome as me would doubt his abilities but I’ll bet that even Superman had doubts and misgivings some of the time. Like about wearing those knee high red boots, come on Clark, only Supergirl can make that look work.
Fortunately, my choice of footwear is as awesome as it is well documented so I don’t have to worry about looking like a tool in the wrong shoes or wearing white after Labor Day. No, all I have to worry about is running faster than a speeding bullet and that is proving to be a challenge. I’ve gone back and looked at my training runs leading up to last year’s Bolder Boulder to see if I’m any faster than I was back then, but if anything I think I might be slower. This is really quite frustrating and I might have to stop running all together if I don’t at least PR in the Bolder Boulder. It’s not all bad, I’ve been thinking that maybe I’d like to quit running anyway and devote more time to couch potatoing. Crashing and burning at the Bolder Boulder may give me just the excuse I need to stop running.
I blame my newly found slowness on running a marathon. I spent the bulk of the winter months focusing on increasing my mileage and I’m beginning to wonder if that was to the detriment of my speed. Is it possible that training for and running a marathon could make you slower at the 5K and 10K distances? And if so, why do you people keep on running them? I still have 2 months before the Bolder Boulder so there’s plenty of time to work on my speed deficiency (is there a vitamin I can take for that?) but I have to admit I’m not nearly as confident this year about a PR as I have been in past years.
I am in agreement that marathon training can make a runner slower at first. But stick with it. Do a couple months of speed work and you'll get the speed demon back.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this "speed work" everyone keeps talking about? Hell, what is this "running" they talk about?
ReplyDeleteThe speedwork I did in marathon training made me faster at 5 and 10K races, but it is important to factor in that I am completely awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to kick butt.... your superman powers will kick in during the race!
ReplyDeleteWell, either you PR or you crash and burn and become a couch potato. Sounds like a win-win to me. What's to worry about? With two months to go, though, the former seems a touch more likely to me.
ReplyDeleteYou and I are about the same speed and in much the same situation. The marathon training might have slowed you down because you got comfortable at that pace. Unfortunately, the only cure is discomfort through regular speedwork.
ReplyDeleteMy advice - and I'm even trying to follow it myself - is not to fixate on the PR, but aim for a pace that slightly exceeds what you've done recently.
You'll get your speed back. No way you're coming back here and NOT telling us about a PR. Your pride won't let you.
ReplyDeleteThe vitamin you're looking for is called ManTheF*ckUp. Ask for it at any health food store. And please write a post about your purchasing experience afterward. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have no chance of beating 50 minutes in Bolder Boulder. In fact, you won't even beat my last 10-K time. Get out the Ruffles and turn on the Biggest Loser.
ReplyDeleteYou should drink more. Seems to work for Viper. I bet he could pull a sub-50 out of his arse in 2 months... why can't you :-P.
ReplyDeleteNow if that's not a motivational statement, I don't know what is.
You're going to rock Boulder, you're too awesome!
...I find it oddly amusing that Viper was typing a comment the same time I was
ReplyDeleteLOVE that Cake song. It's pulled me through more than a few marathons.
ReplyDeleteI agree that marathon training causes a slowdown, but not dramatically so. Usually your improved overall fitness can carry you through some fast miles at the end of a 10K. Good luck.
That's a really good question. I suspect the answer is in the speed work, whether or not it's maintained throughout marathon prep.
ReplyDeleteI love that album! This was a great song off of it, but my personal favorite is "Nugget". Unfortunately I have to skip it when the kids are around. If you don't know why, check it out. It's on my IPod running playlist.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the training, two months is a good long time to focus on speed. I think the base you've built up from the marathon training will serve you well at the 10k distance in the end and you will PR (given the right conditions, no injury, and the like). Good luck!
And if Xenia can direct me to a local retailer for the vitamin I'd very much appreciate it. If there's a calf-specific version, that'd be really good right now!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what is wrong with you. After a marathon I tend to get faster. Unless I am injured. I finished the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge at Disney in January and have managed to set two PR's so far. One in a 30k and my first sub 2 hour half marathon. You should consider two-a-days. Or maybe some tune up races to get you speed on. Not you speed-o.
ReplyDeleteEither way, you are the man for putting The Distance on. Now grow a set and act like it.
If Luke Skywalker had a blog, he would have written the same “poor me” post right after the droid was rocking him in the Millennium Falcon, or after he couldn’t lift his X-Wing Fighter out of the swamp. So don’t worry, you still get to kiss you sister, save the universe, and get a pr!
ReplyDeleteI thought this post was going to be about something else from the title. I got slower and fatter during marathon training. I got caught up in just trying to finish and putting everything else aside. I'm getting faster now though so you should be fine in 2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, thanks a lot, man! You ran a MARATHON and this is the first I or, I'd wager, anyone else is hearing about it! This makes us look bad!
ReplyDeleteYou have a blog - use it every once in a while for self promotion! Because if I come over here and see even just ONE MORE post by you about Habitat for Robber Barons or Bob Geldolf's Live-AIG - even though those are really worthy charities - I think I might have to put a bullet through my brainpan.
When is it gonna be you time around here, Mr. Vanilla?
Second: Why did you run a marathon if you hate it so much? Still. Even now.
Yeah, I'm sorry, but I can't relate to you right now. At. All. I seem to get faster in my 5k's and 10k's due to marathon training. They just seems so short, distance wise, after all those long runs.
ReplyDeleteCase in point:
2007 Bolder Boulder: 48:19 (without marathon training)
2008 Bolder Boulder: 46:05 (with marathon training)
And my recent 5k ran me a decent 21:43.
Yeah, I'm cool. And by cool, I mean "boobless." Because apparently, I sacrifice my boobs for those times. Maybe it's something you should consider as well. ;)
You'll be fine at the '09 BB. Just run faster.
I think you'll do awesome. I can't wait to hear how it goes - I'm moving to the Boulder area in August so am looking forward to some upcoming CO races!
ReplyDeleteI slowed down with marathon training, but it's coming back now. All you need is a little speedwork and a lot of drinking. I just ran my fastest 6 miler EVER with a hangover. So get drinking and you'll PR for sure (or be totally primed for being a couch potato...)
ReplyDeleteErr, two months is still an eternity when it comes to some speed work for a 10k. Hit about 10-12 sessions over the next 2 months and you'll blow your PR out of the water. C'mon now, get crack-a-lackin'.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right on - marathon training makes you slow. I'm faster now (post baby) than I was after 6 months of marathon training.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else said, marathon (and ultra) training makes you slower. But you've got two months to get your speed back, and once it's back along with your endurance base, well, others better watch out if you're in a race of ANY distance!
ReplyDeleteI LOOOOVE CAKE!!! Although it was difficult to listen and read at te same time. I almost fell off my chair. TWICE!
ReplyDeleteSo you are training for marathon, and you are slower than last year. D'UH!!
Don't sweat it. You are still faster than if you sat on the couch.
Quit?!?
ReplyDeleteOk, I know I'm a "new" blogger who you don't really know, but WTF?
As you get older your times MAY slow a bit, you still need to get your bootie out there and run. Run cause it's the fountain of youth, Run cause you stay fit, Run for the sake of running....
Run Bro Run!
BTW, I love CAKE! (the group and the spongy delicious like dessert)
Holy jeezus I am so glad you have now given me an excuse for my slowness! I thought I had just pussed out on my last 5K and sandbagged when I came in at 27:49 but now I see that it is just the MARATHON training making me slow, not my chicken legs, scared-to-run-fast-and-feel-the-wind-in-my-hair wussy-a$$. Thank you Vanilla!
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to screw with your speed mojo, try ultrarunning. It's made me amazingly slow.
ReplyDeleteOh and quitting? You won't be able to. I've tried to quit for years. Doesn't work. You'll be right back out there again complaining about how much slower you are now that you took time off. Hahaha.
It can make you slow if you trained to run a slow marathon.
ReplyDeleteNext marathon, have the long runs shorter (15-17 miles) but faster.
I agree with CG that training for slow ultras will make you really slow at 5-10k.
Just gradually amp up the threshold and speed sessions and the 4X:XX 10k is yours.