I thrive on a training plan. I usually write out my plan for the entire year (including daily mileage) sometime in December. I admittedly make some adjustments throughout the year, but I stay pretty on path. When I have miles on the plan, I'm pretty good about sticking to them. Without a plan, I tend to flounder. I tend to lose motivation. Excuses are easier to come by.
Regardless, I decided to turn the training plan OFF for a few weeks after San Diego - for both the mental and physical break. Being the planner I am, I still have miles written down as a "wish" plan, but I'm not holding myself to it. My AC went out Monday, so I didn't run. Tuesday... well, it just didn't happen then either. I know I'll run Thursday because I'm meeting up with a friend, but I really wanted some miles today... I wanted that feeling... that "accomplished" feeling. I didn't have a lot of time, so I bought my confidence back by pushing myself on the treadmill... I only did 3 miles, but I pushed away from my normal 11 min/mile training run and went for 9:50 min/mile. Sure, I can run that fast in a race, no problem... but I have a lot of trouble keeping that pace in training, especially at home and on the treadmill, where I always feel a little heavier. Now I'm ready to attack tomorrow when I hit the pavement with Robin W.
I'm excited that although I'm allowing myself to stay "off plan" for the next 4 weeks, that I've made plans to run with friends at least twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) before the rooster crows. It will surely keep me moving. I'm a social runner, so I rarely turn down the opportunity to run with friends... so this time I went begging to find the friend support I need to get through the summer (which is always a tough time for me because my "normal" workout routine no longer works)... and I found it. Yeah!!! So yeah, even when I don't have a plan, I still have a plan. Sad, I know... it's the engineer in me.
11 comments:
Due to my leg hating me I had NO plan for Seattle. I've hated not having a plan. Injured or not, I'm making a plan for July's half for sure.
I'm also going to set some goals .... as Kit says in Pretty Woman, "You gotta have a goal!"
A year in advance!?! You are just all sorts of crazy. But I sure to admire you for it. Running with friends is always better. I wish I had friends around me that run. Sadly, I have to run solo all the time.
And now I totally want to go watch Pretty Woman because of RR's comment :)
dude i sooooo know the feeling. it's like, for me, going off plan just means doing a new plan that's totally different from the old!
Funny you should post this now. I emailed my coach last night about a general lack of motivation. He came back at me with several options, one of which surprised me. He thought I might just need to take several weeks off with no formal plan. Workout when I feel like it but take a break from the plan.
I'm sitting here itching to be back on a plan. What I really think it is though is that I'm itching to race again. I'm wanting to press rewind on my marathon and I think the plan allows me to move on to what's next. But, I also know I need to rest. So, I'm not starting a plan until July 1st. Then, it's game on. Until then, it's just running with the breeze through my hair for no reason other than because I love it!
I’m a huge planner and probably one of the craziest runner planners out there. I plan my big goals years in advance. Currently my races are planned for the next 5 years. My daily runs are planned up to February 2012. There is a race in Feb that I’m not sure if I’ll get in so my daily runs for Feb and March 2012 depend on that. Yep, I’m totally mad.
I am happy if your training plan keeps you on track. I plan out workouts every 2 weeks. I'm more of a goal orientated person than a training plan person.
Had to catch up on the last three posts so first off - love the father's day "foto's" you were a cute kid! Merry Texmas… can you say love?
And I'm with you even when I don't have a plan I have to have some kind of plan or I just feel way too off. I actually "signed up" on my Nike+ for marathon training plan just to have something to follow and if I'm marathon ready by october - I will run the Atlantic city full ;) shhhh you're the only one I've said that out loud to.
OH. And SUDDENLY I'm craving a freakin' salad the size of TEXAS!
xo
I am one of those people who needs a plan, because I am quick to find an excuses.
Fellow planner, I LOVE IT!
Thanks for this post - it reminds me that it is okay to take a break! I also love running with others! Hopefully we can meet up at a race someday. :)
Post a Comment