Stalking the Stacks with Library Lil
*Stalking the Stacks with Library Lil* |
2008-04-20 How to Train like Library-lil for a 5k1) get yourself in a running habit a year before the actual race. Run as often as you can (3 days a week) for 3 miles at a time. Run some races. 2) about six months before the race, stop running, blame snow. 3) about 4 months before the race, invest in a treadmill, but don't store it at your house--store it six blocks away 4) Run halfheartedly about 3 times a month for about 2 miles each time for 2 months. 5) panic about upcoming race 6) about 6 weeks prior to the race realize you might be able to start running outside again, plot a non-mud route and run. Collapse after 1 mile. beat yourself up. Repeat as needed for 3 weeks. 7) get depressed, realize you've gained some weight 8) Three weeks before the race, dig out old couch to 5k program, decide to start in week 6 or seven and push yourself through it. 9) Whine loudly about not being able to run 3 miles. 10)Continue to work through couch to 5k 11) on the week of the race, find time to run one time, but complete a three mile course. 12) night before the race, go to university banquet: drink wine, eat steak and mashed potatoes, get home late, put girls to bed late (optional), eat ice cream. Moan about how stuffed you are. 13) Race day: Get up early to get your packet, have normal breakfast, drink a bit of extra water--load the ipod up not with normal splendid table podcasts, but odd mix of songs that include ABBA and chumbawumba. Forget favorite Barenaked ladies song. Decide against wearing your "other" race shirts or your old cross country shirts and opt for race day shirt so no one has high expectation of you. If you follow this plan, you may be able to do what I did and actually run MOST of the race (I walked a bit before the second water station: about 15 seconds, at the second water station: 30 seconds because I cannot drink and run, and up the last hill: because DAMN). I finished 473rd overall (out of 606 runners) and 27th in my age category (out of 43). My official time was 31:00, my unofficial time (on my stopwatch) was 30:54 (I didn't hear the gun, and it wasn't a mat start, and was self-seeding and I didn't realize I had placed myself near the back). Dr mom ran too--I love how she always makes me feel as if I too am runner--despite the fact that I am nowhere near the caliber she is (her time was 25 something--8th in our age which is actually poor for her since she's usually in the top 5). I was happy with my performance and think it was just the boost I needed to get back into the swing of things--because man oh man do I really want to break 30 minutes this year. The next 5k is six weeks away--Starting Tuesday I'm training all serious like. Plus I owe myself both a present (for finishing) and a new pair of running shoes. Feels good to be back in the groove. |
