I seriously think I'll quit racing for awhile. I'll finish the series, complete the Run Through Time half marathon, and finish with the Skirtsports half marathon, but that's it.
The Winter Series has been gruelingly difficult for me for a couple of reasons. First, I am in 12th place overall behind 9 high school (and younger) runners. A few of these young women are the fastest in the state, and pretty soon the nation. Bravo. They are fantastic. While I could spend my time comparing the million-and-one things that make my training schedule difficult and less competitive than theirs, instead, I'll focus on my second reason. I have gained 15 pounds. Fifteen pounds is a lot of extra weight to be lugging around on the trail, and I am slower. I am, once again, an "Athena" runner. I am tempted to reflect on my race and to encourage myself to lose those 15 pounds. Here's the clincher, I've spent an entire year trying to gain those pounds. Yet, every race sparks a little bit of chaos in my mind about the extra weight, and the pregnancy that didn't work.
So, that's my summary. Every race has been the same thing. I race a little slower. I beat myself up about it. I spend two weeks pushing myself. Repeat. I want to break this cycle, so I'm planning to just run the races that I've already committed myself to and then stop racing. No more speed work, hill sprints or other painful training. I'm just gonna run.
Well, maybe I'll quit the intense training after two more weeks. I wouldn't mind claiming my age group title.
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