Ups and Downs

 

I'm writing this from bed as I have succumbed to one of the several unpleasant viruses going around at work, and on top of that I'm back on strong antibiotics which are making me feel pretty rough too. It's so frustrating because it's been a decent start to the term- there are no classes I really dread this year although many are extremely hard work- and for the first time in ages I feel that I'm often genuinely supporting students' learning rather than trying to manage behaviour. It's also frustrating because, with a sizeable effort of will-power, I've been able to train consistently and am slowly improving my fitness which took a nose dive a year ago.

I should have paid better attention to the warning signs- I wasn't quite right on my longer run on Sunday. Then on Wednesday my legs had nothing and I needed to take walk breaks during that run. But sometimes I forget that I can't do what I could even 10 years ago and just push on regardless. So here I am.

The frustration from not being able to train is not just because I felt I had settled into the rhythm of it at last. I have an event coming up that I am quite excited about because it's something I've never done before. I'm doing a 6 hour track race! 

Why a track race? Recently most of my running has been on the roads. I'm enjoying being able to just run and not worry about tripping over roots and stones or sliding in mud. Also, I'm much less likely to be chased or jumped on by dogs. It has felt liberating to simply run and be able to look around rather than run whilst looking at the ground. Running on a track will just be about running. And I have been wanting to do something different, something that will be a new experience. I don't have the luxury of being able to afford or take time off to do one of those multi-day ultras or race in some spectacular location. I also can't spend that kind of money on the sort of kit needed for those things. But a track race will be a challenge because there are so many unknowns. How will my brain manage the same loop score of times? What will the unending flatness be like? Will it be like a moving meditation or will it be a huge battle to keep going? What is going to be the best way of managing hydration and food? Would aiming for a marafun or 50km PB be realistic without burning out before the 6 hours?

As a sort of running fitness test, I did a local road race a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't specifically trained for it but hoped that my general fitness would get me though ok. I was pretty pleased with the result because although I was very much mid-pack, I ran around 8 minutes quicker than my estimate and felt strong all the way round (except for the final beast of a hill). On reflection I could have gone a bit quicker, but I'd never done a 10 mile race before and didn't really know how it would go. 

I have also been giving some thought to 'off-season' training and I think it could be fun to learn a new sport. I'm not quite sure what, although I have a few ideas. All I know is that it's good to keep learning.