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Fun with your (dwindling) fitness: half marathon

tgarsontgarson
in General Training Discussions

As the title implies, I've been in my 'fun with my fitness' phase post Wisconsin. I've been hitting about 2 rides a week on my road bike, no power, no computer at all really, just out riding, still getting some decent work in though. My running has been limited to about once or maybe twice a week, exclusively trail running since it's what I enjoy, topped out at about an hour.

Some friends talked me into doing a half marathon this weekend, registration was a whopping $35. I'm honestly looking to just enjoy the race since it will be done on virtually no training and largely my left over fitness from Wisconsin. My plan for the week is to cut back on the beer and tositos, get a few quick runs in with strides out on the road to kind of re-aquaint myself with leg speed and then just run the race off of RPE with the dial set to "enjoy".

Of course the alternative is I go out tonight, do a VDOT test, use my sure to be diminished VDOT as my pacing guide, still stick with the runs and strides this week, then go out and execute the run with a bit more enthusiasm.

Impromptu half marathons are never what I would consider a 'smart idea', but I do dumb stuff basically every weekend these days as I enjoy my time off before Novemeber OS (4-wheeling, sky diving), it's my new MO.

Comments

  • Eric RueppelEric Rueppel
    I'm with ya Trevor. I have done a couple of 5ks with my kids just for fun. I have been getting in about 2-3 rides a week for about an hour duration.

    Good luck and have fun doing the half mary!
  • KitbooKitboo
    Cutting back on beer and tostitos---how sad! I had to limit my consumption of ribs and cake too---I feel your pain! image

    Nice to hear you're enjoying your off-season. The only riding I do is on dirt (mtb and 'cross); and most of my running is on dirt too. The pool? what's that? The only pool I'm interested in right now is the one I put $20 into for the Super Bowl.

    Have fun at your half mary!
  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Have fun! Solo 5k VDOT test does not sound like fun -- unless there is beer and tostitos and ribs and cake at the end.
  • ginagina

    I have ventured (like Kitboo) into the dirtier side of things and having a blast!!  I have been MTBing & trail running. No power, no computer, just my Garmin & iphone to be sure I can find my way back!!

    Registered for a couple of 10k trail runs, first one in a few weeks!!

  • Linda PatchLinda Patch

    The title of your post cracked me up! If it were me, I sure as heck would NOT to a Vdot test--lordy, I've had enough of that for a bit. As you say, dial set to cover ground and have fun is just the ticket.

    Unlike my other chica friends, I have not ventured into the world of dirt. I like my collar bones too much (mtb and cross) and my ankles too much (root running.) Plus, I am too chicken on the dirt bikes. I've been running about 4-5x/week, between 3 and 5 miles. Riding is ~3x week for an hour or so. Once I did two hours on the weekend and felt fairly virtuous. Trying to hit the pool 1x week to socialize with my masters friends, and I like to swim. Back in the weight room for the first time in years--need it and am enjoying it. Core work big time, as that's been neglected too. So I've been keeping myself busy--just all short and sweet. I need to keep it that way for a while.

    Have fun at the races. Full report of dwindled-fitness results please.

  • tgarsontgarson
    I had a revelation the other day, I was about 20 minutes into my run when I looked down and I realized that I was not wearing my GPS nor had the thought even occurred to me to put it on before leaving the house. There was a point in this season where I hardly would even do a workout if it couldn't be recorded, tracked and analyzed thoroughly in WKO. I haven't opened WKO since writing my RR image

    Good to hear that everyone is enjoying their downtime, what other fun things is everyone up to prior to OS?
  • michaelgasser17michaelgasser17
    I'm researching scenic running routes for Christmas vacation. One of my favorite things to do on a trip is get on mapmyrun and find a nice route through a historic or naturally scenic area and just go out at a comfortable pace and rubberneck. My favorite vacation run ever was through the heart of Paris at about 6am. This vacation is to Rome and I'm pumped for the possibilities.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Trevor, no 5k test and go to the half mary and run your butt off like a fool and suffer. Drink AM beer after and tell tall tales...like we did it when I was your age. (old man voice)

    Note to self: must upgrade data tool to classify cool vs dirty vs serious races...
  • bretbret

    There's a real nice park behind the spanish steps. Did some running there last year.

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