Break Over

After doing the Park to Park 1/2 Marathon on Sept. 11, I felt a little burned out from running both physically and mentally. I decided I would take a break. By taking a break, I don't mean not running. I mean not training. I would have no real training goals and would run by feel. I wouldn't keep track of how far I ran or even plan how far I was going to run. I started running without my Garmin. At first, I felt naked. I would only run routes that I was familar with so I would know exactly how far I had run--which sort of defeats the purpose of running Garmin-free.

That was almost three weeks ago. All I can say is--I guess the break is over. I felt the need to set a goal and do some more targeted (although laidback) training. So I will be doing the Sullivan Brothers 10k in Waterloo on November 6. Typically, I focus on 1/2 marathons, so this is a little different, and my "prescribed" mileage is less, although I will still do a longer run (like 10-11 miles) on weekends. Although 10-11 miles was a relatively short long run, if you will, several weeks back, it seems pretty long right now--after just a few weeks of not doing long weekend runs.

I felt the need to pick a race to do because (to some extent and in some ways) I thrive on structure and discipline. Is this good or bad? I have mixed feelings. It bothers me a bit that I couldn't just run to run. I had to choose a race and make a training plan. I was just feeling a little blah without a goal.

I have somewhat of a revised goal for all of my races. When I train for a race, I usually do have a specific goal in mind that I'd like to run it in, but I'm not sure anymore that this is the most important thing. I ran an 8 mile race this summer. It was an amazing day for me--I felt great the entire moment. There was never a moment when I said, "This is painful," or asked, "When is this going to be over?" I enjoyed the experience every step of the way. I had a decent time in that race, but that really wasn't why it was such a good race. I train so I can do these races and be comfortable enough on race day to enjoy the atmosphere and the run. I want to be able to run hard (although not all that FAST) and not be miserable.

I think I like thinking about races in this way because as I age, it's a goal I can still reach. Many times when runners get older they get discouraged to see their times increase. It happens--there is something called an age-graded time that takes into account your age. Lots of aging runners set goals related to that. I don't know if I even need a goal that complex.

Murphy and I ran 4 miles today. He did a nice job. We saw a few dogs who were curious about him but he stayed focused on the run. There is something about running that gives him tunnel-vision. He doesn't care so much about other dogs out on the trail. He notices them but just keeps on going. It's also much easier when he's wearing his Gentle Leader. I could tell he was anxious at one point when we passed a house that had two fenced-in barking Pit Bulls. However, he looked straight ahead and kept moving. Good boy, Murphy! I am thinking 4-5 miles may be the max I get Murphy to run from now on. It's not that he can't run further. He can and he has, but I think 4-5 miles is his ideal run because it's long enough to get him into a groove but it leaves him wanting more. Plus, on longer runs, I can better focus on my form and mental strategies if I'm alone.

Running with dogs is becoming a popular past-time and I'm hearing more and more about it. For instance, there is a section on the Runner's World website regarding running with dogs. It's not rocket science, but you do need to now how to look for trouble with your dog--particularly heat exhaustion. You also need to know how to train them to run how and where you want. Murphy always runs on my left, or in the middle of the trail. There are pros and cons to having him on this side, but it's his strong preference and I'll go with it because it's predictable and I always know where he is. It's very rare anymore that he tries to cross in front of me. The only time he really does that is when there's a rabbit, and I'm not sure I can override that instinct.

Tomorrow...is Wednesday. More importantly, I will have visitors. I can't really even call them visitors--because they are my family and Waterloo is their permanent home. Yes, Bill, Gus-Gus, and Alice (the Denver contingent of my family) will be here for a very long weekend. I am excited to see how pumped Karl and Murphy will be to see their dad and brother.

I have an odd problem and I wondering if others have it as well. If an actor plays a character on one show, I have trouble if they get a role on a show later on because I still associate them with the 1st character that they play. For instance, even though I know different, I still often think about how weird it is that Dexter used to live in a funeral home and now is a serial killer. And now Lila from Friday Night Lights got out of town after high school and works as an interventionist for a kid with autism. I tend to mesh story lines together.