Thursday, April 17, 2008

Running, For What?

I always try to find ways to motivate both myself and the people I work with. It's easier to have a goal to train toward, than to randomly train. I encourage all of the people I work with as much as I can, and everyone requires just a little different spin.

It's been over a year since I've been encouraging Susan to do multiple pull ups. In fact last January she accepted a challenge to perform six pull ups, once the testing time came along, she almost got three. A year later I was thinking what could possibly get this woman, totally and completely capable of doing pull ups, to accept another challenge and succeed. I agreed to run a race if Susan got 5 pull ups.

Anyone who knows me, knows I hate to run, unless as I have already professed, it is trail running where I can be as fast or slow as I please, and also enjoy my surroundings. The Broad Street Run, the race I agreed to run if Susan got her 5 pull ups, couldn't me more opposite of the trails. It's 10 miles of grueling pavement down Broad Street in Philadelphia. Yuck, boring, blah, and did I mention pavement?

Susan got her 5 pull ups this afternoon, with ease, in fact I'm sure she could have done at least one more. My first was response was joyful, I was very pleased and also happy that she got them! Who wouldn't be, it's a testament to the training we do. My next repsonse was "Oh shit!" 10 miles on pavement surrounded by a huge number of people running over me! This is not my idea of a fun, let alone relaxing Sunday morning.

I have two and a half weeks. And while all smart sources would tell me to fold, I plan to live up to my end of the deal and hopefully survive.

8 comments:

Jen's Gym at Crossfit Watertown, CT said...

Wow! I hate to run on streets as much as you. I'm a lover of the trail runs as well. Good luck! Your a more dedicated women than me!

Pamela MacElree said...

Thanks Jen, part of me wouldn't mind bailing, however I feel like that isn't an option. We were out on the trails today for 5 miles and it seemed a little harder than usual. I'm hoping my back won't start to tense up as it has been, but I'll just have to see what happens.

Franklin said...

Unless, you are accustomed to this kind of mileage, I would be concerned due to the lack of training for this distance.

Perhaps a renegotiation for a later race might be possible to allow for sufficient training?

Pamela MacElree said...

I'm good for about 5-7 miles of trails with a combination of running and walking, so I'm thinking this will work.

Heading out for a long flat run this weekend, about 6-8, hopefully tomorrow or Saturday, given this cold goes away, otherwise I might have to renegotiate due to illness.

Franklin said...

Since you've completed a 7 miler and you recover from your cold, then I agree, you'll be fine.

Looking forward to seeing your next amazing TGU PR!

Susannah said...

Franklin, I've been out running with Pam a couple times along the trails and know she is more than capable of handling Broad Street. And as a testament to my confidence in her, I promised her pancakes after she crosses the finish line.

And out of sheer curiosity, what kind of KB training do you do? Are you associated with a CF affiliate?

Franklin said...

Hi Susannah, I'm glad you are confident Pamela has the necessary training to endure a 10 miler. Having done a large number of long runs, I know solid preparation is necessary but not alway sufficient in staving off unnecessary injuries.

First of all, I would like apologize to Pamela for hijacking a portion of this thread.

A case in point with my own training incident occurred while training for the Boston Marathon with the Central Massachusetts Striders during the winter of 1988. At the time I was running a 1/2 marathon a week as my long run and decided to partake in a 10 miler workout through the hilly sections of Worcester.

At mile 6 I felt some discomfort in my left hip but finished out the workout. When the endorphins wore off I found myself in excruciating pain as I had torn my piriformis. A very slow rehabilitation got me walking without pain in a year and I have never participated in long distance running since.

Only recently have I discovered the amazing benefits of Kettlebell training. Specifically, I have been training RKC hard-style since last Sep and have made large gains. My primary trainer is Andrew Bender, RKC and has been instrumental in designing a program specific for my history. My long term goals are to be competitive in a future Master's division of the Tactical Strength Challenge and to pass a future RKC Certification.

Detailed training information is available on my training blog:

http://franklinskbtrainingblog.blogspot.com/

Best of luck to yourself and to Pamela on safe fun run!

Pamela MacElree said...

Such high expectations! Oh well. Franklin, I wouldn't consider this run to be fun, but... Sorry to hear about your injuries. After this I will probably never do a run this long or one longer as well, much to the dismay of our long distance runners.

I do admit that during this morning's run I was trying to negoiate a 1-2 mile fireman's carry in place of the Broad Street, but Susan wouldn't have it. Susannah was on my side.