Regression

Saturday was the first day of our taper before the big race in a few weeks. We started out in Adams Morgan and completed an 11-mile up-and-back up Connecticut Ave and through Rock Creek Park. As has been the case over the last few weeks, I had a difficult run.  The added bonus was that my stomach was terribly upset the majority of the way.

There were some highlights, including some nice hill work. I’ve really done well taking advantage of the down hills and have learned not to break and instead take advantage of my momentum. I was able to power through the uphills and I gotta say that there were quite a few of them.

• The run up Connecticut Ave is completely uphill for a bit over 3-miles.

• As you turn back toward Connecticut Ave from inside the Park there are a few rolling hills, an intermediate hill and a MONSTER of a hill.

The MONSTER is a winding ascent that climbs out of the Park. As you make each turn you wonder…how much more of this can I take. Given my queasy stomach and sore muscles, I somehow made it up.

I really think that in some ways I have both over and under trained this season. This season I have not consistently got my mid-week mileage in as compared to last season’s Army 10-Miler Training. Missing out on a weekly track workout also has had a negative effect. Without my mid-week runs, I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself when I’ve raced and completed my Saturday long run.

I also think that doing 11-miles today was a bit much.  The pressure of being in a group at times pushes you long --- which is good when you need it --- but there are times like this when it's best to just back off.  At mile 9.5 I decided to stop running and walk for a half mile or so.  As hard as that was for me to see everyone race past me, I knew that it was the right thing to do.