Sunday, February 10, 2013

The New Not-So-Normal!


“If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” 

I'm not sure what would be considered "normal" for a woman like me, but I'm pretty sure I'm not average. I'll even dare say that sometimes, I can be pretty amazing! :) 

After close to four years of running, three of those using the running form taught to me by my physiotherapist (a running specialist), I am now very comfortable with the 180 steps per minute cadence and wearing my racers for all distances. 

So for 12 weeks now, I went from running three (sometimes four) days a week, with very few high mileage long runs...to running five or six days a week, with many high mileage long runs. My new "not-so-normal" has me feeling so much stronger. As I mentioned last week, I have always run my long runs using a 10/1 ratio. However, last week for the first time I ran my 16k non-stop. It went well and my pace was a bit faster. To be fair, I may still have had some prednisone in my system last week (which increases my pace a bit - sort of like Lance ;)). This week, my system is definitely back to normal and prednisone-free...so I decided to try running my 22k long run non-stop. I'm very proud of myself, because I did manage to run with very few walk breaks (only when taking a GU or once to put on my gloves). However, when I compare this 22k with the last one I did a few weeks ago using a 10/1 ratio (both without prednisone), my pace is only 1 second faster per km! I found this week's run more difficult mentally, as well as physically (no lingering pain however). Considering the fact that there is essentially no difference in pace, I have decided to stick with the 10/1 ratio for my long runs. Nonetheless, I'm super proud that I was able to do this...because not very long ago, I doubt that my body could have handled running so long with hardly any walk breaks. Plus, I will probably try again when the roads and sidewalks are clear! Because I can :)

Have a great week everyone!
Cheers!

*I'm not sure why this page is white?! Strange...

9 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

You're getting so strong! You've done such a great job with all these longer runs. I don't do well running that many days a week...I'm a 3-day a week runner at best...even when I did my marathon training! Of course, I may have had a better result with more miles...

You are definitely NOT average. I think you're pretty awesome. :)

Char said...

You're so above average! And your running is going incredibly well.

Johann said...

Wow, you are doing so well! The 10:1 ratio is great I think. A friend of mine completed a marathon with a 9:1 ratio yesterday in 04:49. She felt great afterwards and would probably not have gone under 5 hours without this strategy.

Robin said...

Awesome that you are feeling so strong, your training has been great! Keep it up!

Miles of the Journey said...

"because I can" I like that. Over the years I have discovered that endurance sports is a journey of discovery in many ways and one of them is discovery of your inherent capability with each step forward: discovering that yes, yes, I can.


http://milesofthejourney.blogspot.com/

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

It's great that you're feeling so good! White page, green page - no matter!

Caroline said...

C'est interessant la comparaison entre les 2 methodes...je me demande si je devrais essayer l'autre aussi...le 10:1...je fait le continu mais parfois je trouve ca extenuant..
et average.... non non madame...!

Anonymous said...

Great job. Keep it up!

Two Wordy said...

Yay Anne!! Super running week! :)-Gives me hope!