Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Trisko Update

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Friends, the trisko is looming. I will run my very first half marathon (unless you count the two half marathons that composed last fall's full marathon) on Sunday, May 11.

Training for a trisko is really different from training for a full marathon. I have long runs to do, but they just aren't that long. And because the distance isn't quite so punishing, there is no taper - and no accompanying taper madness.

Two Saturdays ago, I ran a 10 mile run that kicked my heiney-butt all over the place. I was tired and had to stop to walk a couple of times. Every injury I have ever had in my entire life came back to say hello - except for the shin pain that had me so worried. It was like, "Knee pain? What the hell - you haven't been around since January. What are you doing here? And now you, hip pain? You went away in November, and you sure as Yoda are not coming back now."

But the good thing is, this is not my first big race, so I know that every once in a while, I'm going to have a bad run. Because on Saturday, I ran 11 miles, rocked it out, and felt completely fine afterwards. Just hungry.

I am also considerably more prepared for the race than I was for my marathon last fall. I've reviewed the course map, and it features a big-ass hill towards the beginning of the race. The hill is on 4th Street in Moline, and Stately Wasser Manor is on 3rd Street. That means that there is absolutely no reason for me to not make that hill my bitch. I plan my training runs now so that I have to run up that hill at some point - usually when I'm fatigued. I'll have to post a picture of the monster so that you will all be impressed by how bad-ass I am.

Less bad-ass is the fact that the time I took off for my hurt shin has made me change my goals.

Old Goal: 2:00 or less, in preparation for a 4:00 marathon in the fall.

New Goal: Whatever.

8 comments:

P.O.M. said...

Ha ha. I love the goals. I'm running a half taht weekend too. My only goal is not die from the hills. I have barely trained on hills so it will be a new experience for me.

Good luck and have fun :)

newsjunkie said...

You go lady! I'll be thinking of you, we have our Fall Season Kick-Off on the 10th.

You're gonna do great!!

Meg said...

Good luck! You sound very mentally and physically prepared!

Nancy said...

You're gonna rock it. Running those bad ass hills every time will help immensely. At least it helps me.

Kent said...

Good luck in your half this weekend! I already know you're B.A. no need for a photo here. Kick some butt!

The Laminator said...

I love it. I'm going to say "Whatever" at the end of my half-marathon this weekend in your honor. You go get 'em, tiger...or tigress in your case.

TriGirl Thea said...

Good Luck!

Nibbles said...

You're so totally going to own that hill! Woo hoo!

And you are right to keep things in perspective since you hurt your shin. But I would personally continue to hope for the best if you are feeling good on race day. I just PR'd after an injury. It can happen!