Training Log
May 2005: When enthusiasm for running hits me, I tend to really overdo it. I mean, I will run occasionally for a year, and then suddenly decide: "It's time to train for another marathon!" At this point, I will start running 5-7 miles a day, believing that it's not really overtraining because others run 100 miles a week while I am running a mere 30-40! I learned at the beginning of March that this is not only not cool, but bad form. Seasoned runners have instructed me that mileage should be increased by no more than approximately 10-15% per week, so jumping from a mild 15 miles per week to 30 is a 100% increase, even if 30 does not seem to be very much.
I have allowed nearly two months to pass since being diagnosed with my running injury, and it feels like the right time to return to the sport. This time, though, instead of obsessing about times, mileage, etc (my goal last time that drove me to this was a sub-4 hour London Marathon), I will focus on why I truly should run. I should run for fitness and for enjoyment. My time should be used to reflect and to feel good about myself. When I focus too much on time, I think less of myself as I wallow in disappointment. This, also, is not cool.
So I am going to be accountable to myself by keeping my training log online. Each time I work out, it goes on the website. If my mileage is increasing too rapidly, then I will see it more plainly. I will post pictures to remind myself that running, like other sports, is supposed to be fun. Peter Werner, a friend from high school's father, began running marathons after suffering a heart attack years ago. He never seemed concerned about his time, which I found so bizarre. That is, until he told me what a marathon is to him: "A marathon is a celebration of life. I'm still here, and I'm running." Cheers to that.
| Training Log 2005 |
| May 2005 |
| June 2005 |
| July 2005 |
| August 2005 |
| September 2005 |
| October 2005 |
| November 2005 |
| December 2005 |