I think that I am still recovering from the Chicago Marathon. I am struggling to run 30+ miles a week, where pre-marathon a 40 mile week was a cutback week. On long runs, my legs are barely willing to do any pace which is faster than my marathon pace. I have done some track work, and I have yet to crack a 6:00 mile, where before marathon training, a 5:30 mile would not be unheard of. But, I guess this is the price you pay for racing a marathon. There is a reason that most elites* only race two marathons a year -> They need a lot of time to recover. And so do I.
Anyway, I did a slow eight miles today, and with my not-so-smooth running, it makes it easier to stop to take some shots of the city:
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| Runner near Belmont Harbor |
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| What I see running down Irving Park Rd. towards the Lake |
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| Lone Runner |
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| Another Runner |
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| Yes, the waves are a lot calmer. Check out the runner. Oh yeah, that's me. |
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| One of the last sailboats still on the lake? |
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| A great morning for a sail.. |
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| Skyline with Haze |
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| Hancock and Trump Tower with haze |
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| Buildings along Lake Shore Drive |
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| I'm still recovering from this run, mid-run! |
So the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5k/10k is coming up soon. I have yet to register. I am trying to decide between the 5k and 10k. I am leaning towards the 10k, so I can run a slower pace and still get a respectable time.
* I am not an elite by any means. :-)
Maybe not elite, but closer than most! I still have yet to really try "racing" a marathon. I just don't have the experience right now to really pull it off. I am still at the "just finish and don't die" caliber. But i definitely am feeling more worn out post Dublin than any other race. I am glad to have the next 6 weeks to focus on recovery - i could not imagine racing any distance right now!
ReplyDeleteI think it's incredible that you did those 2 marathons so close together, regardless of your pace. Anyway, enjoy your next 6 weeks off. You deserve it!
Deletea 5:30 mile is pretty close to elite. Listen to your body, and if you need to rest, then REST.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. After a bunch of 8:30pm bedtimes, I seemed to come out of the fog this week.
DeleteMarathons take a lot of work mentally and physically. Im currently struggling with completing 3 mile runs lately... (and it's all mental)
ReplyDeleteTake a break! You deserve it- especially since you'll start training for Boston in the next few months.
Lovely photos!
Yeah, it is mental. I think I am starting to recover. That sluggish feeling was telling me to back off for a few weeks.
DeleteHoly Moly! 5:30 min/mile?! Thats a dream of mine. I think I would need loose 20% of my body weight before I can run an 8 min/mile haha! Hope you can get up to 30+ miles a week soon. Your pictures of the lakefront are so gorgeous! Makes me miss running on the lakefront.
ReplyDeleteThanks. If you put in the mileage, there probably is no reason why you couldn't run an 8 min mile!
DeleteLove love LOVE the pictures, as usual. I totally hear you on the lengthy post-marathon recovery, as I am experiencing the same thing. The recovery time is EXTREMELY well-deserved, though. And hey, I can barely bike a 5:30 mile, let alone run one. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks. The recovery thing seemed to take extra-long this time around.
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