Hey, I’m still here, just haven’t been motivated to write in my blog through injuries I had in the spring and summer.
I had a very busy winter and spring of training and racing, and after a marathon, half marathon and olympic distance triathlon within a 4 week period in May, I needed a break. In short, I had hip and groin issues, primarily caused by glutes that ‘stopped firing’. I’ve been working with a personal trainer and am just now starting to get back to being healthy again. Summary of the last 4 months:
- May – 61.2 running; 59.8 biking
- June – 0 running; 14 biking
- July – 18.4 running; 40.8 biking
- August – 39.5 running; 84.4 biking
My runs are a good 60 seconds per mile slower than my typical training pace, but that is OK. I suspect I won’t be back to full form until I start speed workouts in the winter time, and I hope to be back in PR shape by the springtime. In my past experience, when injured, it takes a good 12 to up to 24 months to get back to full strength where I feel like I’m capable of PR’s.
The impetus to get back on some sort of track now is that I have the Poconos 70.3 race quickly coming up on Oct 2. I registered for the race early, and it is quite expensive, so I really want to get it done rather than defer. While my longest run so far is only 5.7 miles, my longest bike ride only 27 miles, and with no time in the pool in the last 3 months, I know this will not be the race that I was hoping for, but I do think I’ll be able to get it done, and within the 8 hour cutoff. My biggest fear is not being able to finish the swim before the swim cutoff time, but I think and hope the swim is down current in the Delaware River, which would be a big help.
In the next couple of weeks, I have some big tune up races I’m really looking forward to:
- 9/10 – a 5k race in my ‘home park’, East River Park. NYCRUNS is holding a race with East River Park Track Club and I can’t wait to participate. My running log says that I’ve run in the park 265 times since 1999, and NEVER in a race. Hopefully all the Irene flood waters will have receded by then.
- 9/11 – War at the Shore in Long Branch – middle distance triathlon. Relatively short Ocean swim, with a bike and run that is close to olympic distance.
- 9/18 – Yonkers Half Marathon – I plan to ride my bike to the race so that I’ll get a good brick workout done
Then in October, the town where I have my weekend house, Little Silver NJ, and the neighboring town, Shrewsbury, both have small 5ks I hope to be able to run in. I’m also hoping to convince my 15 year-old to join at least one of them…
I found that being injured was actually not so awful. First, I Hate (note the capital H) running in the summer and this was a great excuse to take a break in the hottest months of June and July. Second, it was refreshing not to have to get up early on the weekends for races or training runs/rides, and make my family sacrifice their plans around my races. Was great to be home more often for my kids.
I’m on the prowl for upcoming marathons. While I’m not registered yet, I have my eye on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Dec 10, which would be my 10th state! For the spring, I’m tentatively looking at either of Georgia Marathon, Eugene Marathon, or Fargo Marathon – would appreciate any feedback or thoughts on those races.
Anyway, that is my update, and I hope to post more often than every 4 months going forward!
