Monday, February 8, 2010

Me verses Usain Bolt- 3 to 1

Last night I dreamed it was the week before the marathon and I had a 4 mile run on the training schedule.  I was running a 4 mile loop but somehow got wrapped up and lost track of miles and when I realized it, I was already at 6 miles and had 2 miles to get back home.  I saw a group of people and asked to use their cell phone so I could call and ask John to come pick me.  Running 2 more miles, bringing the total up to 8 just seemed like too many miles to run the week prior.   Can you tell that I'm worrying about too many miles this next week?

I did have 4 miles on the schedule today and got up at 0:dark thirty the wonderful time of 4:45am  to run circles at the track.  I am keeping the intensity of my runs up even with the reduced mileage.  I actually think the last two weeks my speed work and tempo runs have been harder and more consistent than pre-taper.  I have felt soreness in my legs that usually I don't experience.  Maybe that is why I'm worrying about too many miles.  Through the dark I ran the short mile over to the high school track and ran 2 miles of 100 meters.  I ran 100 meters, probably about a 5K pace, then jogged 100. Of course while running my 100 meters at almost 30 seconds per 100, I thought about Usain Bolt and his world record of 9.58 second for 100m.  He could run three 100 meters in the time it took me to run one.

Interesting facts about Usain from his website

  • Holds the world record in both the 100m and 200m, 9.58 and 19.19 respectively (2009 World Championships-Berlin)
  • Holds the world junior record  in the 200m, 19.93 (2004)
  • Youngest male world junior champion at age 15 winning 200m (2002 Kingston, Jamaica)
  • First junior to run sub-twenty second in 200m event (2004)
  • Signed with Puma at age 16 becoming the youngest athlete to be signed by Puma
  • He is 6'5 and is 23 years old

9 comments:

The Sean said...

I also find soreness during the taper or rest periods. For this reason I like to do a prolonged, less dramatic taper leading up to a goal race.

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I am already worried about running too little miles during my taper. LOL! So funny how the mind works. Holy fastness!

Carol said...

I read somewhere that the reason we get aches and pains during tapers is that there is additional healing going on in muscles.

Just trust in the fact that when you pull on your running clothes and lace up those shoes, your body KNOWS this action, is very familiar with it, and it knows what to do next. You just go along for the ride while your body shows off its stuff!!

Unknown said...

too funny. i ran on a track once this past fall, and just for shits and giggles did some sprints for time. yea. let's just say it was humbling. when i looked at my pace on garmin, it was like a 4 minute mile pace. THAT meant that the really fast dudes do what i did for 100 meters for a full mile. my favorite dessert is humble pie...

joyRuN said...

Getting up at 4:45a to run around in circles during taper time.

Hard core dedication right there!

Zoë said...

Great speed work! You're going to rock the marathon. :)

Teamarcia said...

He is quite the specimen isn't he?
Keep up the great work!

Lindsay said...

dang girl! is your track lit up that early? i would be a scaredy-cat in the dark...

i have only had a couple of stressful running dreams around race time, they are never fun! hope you are able to get plenty of rest in.

Jenn said...

0:Dark thirty! Ha! Been there. I hate taper time. My legs are always so sore and I have a million phantom injuries! Somehow it comes together race day though! Have a great week!