Greetings Winter Runners; Week 4
Greetings Winter Runners; Week 4
Another good run this past Saturday morning. The conditions were -cold- 21 degrees and 50% humidity and calm. It was a good introduction to cold weather running.
Well the holidays are just about upon us. This is always a particularly tough time for athletes – and you are ALL athletes. You have spent all summer and fall training. Your metabolism has changed; slowed down and become more efficient to deal with the additional stress from your training. You most likely lost some weight, or at least, toned up. NOW that winter is coming (is HERE!) it is harder to ‘get out the door’ for training, your metabolism slows down with the ‘hybernation’ syndrome from our cave man days – AND there are those holiday PARTIES!!
WHAT IS A RUNNER TO DO? Well, grasshopper, you have shown the discipline to train about 400 hours, and run about 600 miles training for you race. You have shown you have the discipline to accomplish your goals. NOW you have to apply that discipline to a slightly different aspect of your fitness – watching your consumption. It is simply math. If you body is used to burning 2000 calories a day while you are training 6 to 12 hours per week, what do you think is going to happen if you increase that to 2500 calories per day (cookies, egg nog, etc.) BUT reduce your workouts to 4 to 8 hours per week (too cold, too tired, too dark, too busy……. L ). GUESS where those extra 800 calories goes (500 cal extra eating/drinking + 300 cal due to less workouts)? WELL, ladies, you might as well take a pound of lard and tape it to your hips. Guys, just wrap a pound of lard around your waist.
The bad news does not end there. When Spring finally arrives and you are starting to ramp up for your summer/fall races, you will have to deal with an extra 5 lbs. Remember, five extra pounds can mean 15 minutes over a marathon. How many of you could use that 15 minutes to meet your marathon goal?? I see everyone’s hand go up J
You have taken the first step in dealing with this age-old dilemma by using this program as a motivator to “get out the door” and to fight the holiday weight creep; but YOU have to do more by thinking about what goes into your mouth. Use Paula’s Imagery lessons; imagine running lean and mean during the spring Marathon Training Program. Positive thought’s.
As my high school wrestling coach once told me, “ A kick in the ass IS a step forward”.
There were two for Wednesday’s Track Session at AHS. There were no lights but once your eyes adjusted, there was no problem seeing. Fortunately, there are no roots or rocks on the track. I do expect lights will be on, at least occasionally. Remember, these track sessions are what is going to make you faster. It will be tough to get motivated to do them over the winter but they WILL pay off.
We also had a good group for the Sunday Trail Session on the trails behind AHS –cold, but good run. This will be a good augment to your training, a good post LSD (Long Slow Distance) workout, and a nice social event. I think we will do a 9 am Start for the Trail Session unless there is a more convenient time for everyone.
Wednesday Track Session - Tomorrow, Wednesday, 6 pm at AHS. We will be doing a 1 Mile Time Trial. This will be to better determine WHAT paces you should be doing your Long run, Tempo runs, and Track sessions. I will bring our race clock so we will not go blind trying to read our watches in the dark J
Saturday Run – 7 am. Again; 12 miles for Marathoners/Ultra’s’ and 6 miles for 10Milers/Half Marathoners. The Food Court discussion topic will be “Weight control training during the winter”.
Sunday Trail Run – 9 am. Let’s plan for 2 x 5 mile loops at AHS. There is a chance we may go up to McKeldin Park near Marriotsville, Md (about 45 min drive – we would carpool/caravan), but I will keep you posted. Let me know if you are planning to do the trail run so I know who to expect.
"Runner’s quote: “But to look back all the time is boring. Excitement lies in tomorrow.” – Natalia Makarova - Marathoner
Stay Healthy;
Ron
Ron Bowman
BLUEPOINTTIMING.com
410-573-1929
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