If the title of this post immediately caused a flashback to another decade, you'll understand this post more fully than others.
Last week was a rough one in training. After a week of 70+ miles, which was my average in January, I tried a long run on Saturday, that was slower than planned and much shorter than planned - mediocre. Sunday was a short day with some sprints thrown in, top pace of 4:05/mile, which compared to my summer typical 3:35-3:38, was - mediocre. Monday I planned an interval workout, which I had scaled back to 5x1200m in 5 minutes, with 5 minutes rest; I did 3 repeats and quit - mediocre. Tuesday, I was dead meat from step one. Wednesday, I managed one mile, sat on a bench for half an hour, then managed the mile back home.
What was wrong?
It was time for the coach in me to take a look at the training. It was a mediocre week - if I were in shape. As things stand, it was one hard day after another and I dug myself a hole. I used to be able to train that way, but Coach said: you can't train like that; it's not the 1980's any more.
Good thing, really. If you didn't recognize the title it came from the following song, "Relax (Don't Do It)" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It's the only hit to come out of leather bars. Here's the banned from TV video... and, well, you were warned.
My mind sometimes tells me I'm still a kid and can run hard all day every day. It was a bad idea, even then. Speaking of which, I remember seeing this video when it came out and thinking, "People are going to see this in 20 years and think we thought this looked cool." Perhaps the ultimate 1980's thing?
To show you I'm not the only one who's aged badly, here's Tawny Kitaen more recently than that video (2002 mug shot):
And here's David Coverdale, from a celebrity plastic surgery website:
Yeah, you're welcome.
Today, I ran with Shannon after she did the Get Lucky Half-Marathon in a PR 1:39 (congratulate her here). She already is dropping names like Kel Doyle and Jason Husveth, so trails and long runs have seeped under her skin. She had so much energy finishing out her 20 miles on the hills around Highland Park, she'll have no trouble at all at her first ultra, Trail Mix 50K.
Tomorrow: 31 at Afton with Matt.
Hmm. This relaxing thing is going to be tougher than I thought.
...........
For the few of you who missed this viral video, here's what made me laugh this week. Just TRY not to laugh along with little Evan!
4 comments:
As the good Episcoplian that I am (HA!), I'm disappointed by your Lenten Lapse. But since I gave up giving up several years ago, I'm with ya! My last attempt at giving something up for Lent resulted in me practically OD'ing on chocolate bunnies on Easter morning. I decided diabetic comas were not a good outcome of Lent :)
Regardless of your feeling bad about your training times, I am stunned at some of the paces your are pulling out! I have never seen anything in the four minute mark unless it was for a quarter mile :) You may be coming to terms with your body in the New Millenium, but dang, you are still fast!
Yeah, this post was TOTALLY worth pissing off God and thereby risking the pangs of eternal hellfire by breaking your vow to Him. Shrewd move, SteveQ.
I was in high school at the time, and I remember Frankie Goes to Hollywood's video causing a stir, but I don't think I had ever seen it until now. I almost wish TV would have banned the Tawny Kitaen mugshot instead. :) Scary!
You posted on Saturday?! Well, you tried and that's what is important, nice effort. :)
Regarding your training, it's a good idea to take a rest day now and then. Too many consecutive days of hard training can increase the chance of injury too.
It was great to run with you after the half last Saturday. I checked my Garmin and there was only a 4 ft difference in elevation from the Get Lucky Half course and the 7 miles that you and I ran on the hills around Highland Park.
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