That’s Long Slow Distance, in case you were wondering, I know little (ok nothing) about the other LSD unless you mean Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive.
Don’t be shocked, this has been coming for awhile now. 2012 was the year of the fun destination race. I traveled from California to Washington DC to race with stops in between and gosh it was fun.
Somewhere in all that ‘fun’ though something I love got lost. I am a fast twitch girl at heart. I adore me some speed work. Blame it on last year’s Vitamin D deficiency, injuries, heat, whatever: I stopped running fast and my body seemed to have forgotten how.
Don’t get me wrong: I have loved the ride I’ve been on since taking on longer distances in 2007. I’m not going to say that chapter is permanently over, but right now, I just don’t have the passion for it that I once did.
For the first time since 2006, I did not sign up for the March Madness Half Marathon. The fact that I was at sea and it sold out in 18 minutes helped that decision along nicely.
So what will I do?
- I will still do half marathons, maybe not as many.
- There will be no marathons for me this year***
- I’d love to do a marathon relay.
- That duathlon is still calling my name.
- This year I’m going old school and making 5k my focus. I’m doubtful there will be new PRs but I know I can be faster than I am right now.
- 2013 will also be my return to strong. I started hitting the planks and weights more in December and doing those God-forsaken burpees. Ouch. But a necessary evil. I’m getting stronger already.
Have you made significant changes to your training/racing?
***but if my number comes up in the NYCM lottery I am all over it like Ana on Christian Grey.
awwww, LSD is my favorite!! 5k’s make me want to puke 😀
The one goal I’ve articulated this year is a 5k pr. That said, there’s lots of LSD in my future bc it had me in great shape for my first 24-hr adventure race, and I want that again.
I’d love to change my focus to shorter stuff, too, but I have to get the Boston monkey off my back. Lucky thing (I guess) that I don’t lack for speedwork–I have to do it tomorrow, in fact.
It’s about time you got off that acid trip! ; )
Good for you. I have a friend who is doing the exact same thing. I think we can get a bit burned out doing the same old, same old, so a change in focus is really great. And it WILL make you faster for whatever distance you choose in the future.
I am giving my marathon PR goal another big go, this time with fierce dedication. I am about out of time to lower it given my age and how long I’ve been running. So hoping March will be it. Then some triathlon fun, then a 50k in the fall!
Enjoy your break from LSD runs!
I think it is good to change one’s focus. I hate getting bored with my routines!
About a month ago, I considered doing this too, but I feel like I finally have some momentum, so I’m giving it another year to break 3:30. I also want to run a 5K PR this year too though 🙂
Karen FWIW my 5kPR and marathon PR came within a couple months of each other. Both goals are totally reasonable!
The cool thing is, you’ve already established that you can run a marathon while not really following a true marathon schedule, so if you do get selected for NYCM, then you don’t have to put in a whole lot of effort, still have a blast on the course, and PR the hell out of the 5K along the way! Win-win-win!!
I would love to focus on the half marathon … I gotta get this 50 miler for my 50th birthday idiotic idea laid to rest first though!
Sounds like you have a good plan.
I’m going to do a super fun variation on a burpee for my 43 tomorrow! I’ve sort-of put it off for 5 days now so over the weekend I picked tomorrow!!!
love your plan (esp in case NYC happens). and yes, i have started to add in more weights, pilates, and yoga and hired a running coach!
I’m a speed demon too… I only ran 3 marathons and have yet to make the full commitment to doing my 4th because I keep seeing my 10K and half-mary times improve. It’s hard for me mentally to go from that to forcing myself to slow down just to run farther. And with an upcoming birthday (3-Oh, baby) I wanna see how well I do in the new age group 😉
I love this! I bet you will ROCK that 5K! I have yet to run a full, but I am only committing to trying to hit 1,000 miles. If I PR/run a full/etc in there, great – but if not, that’s ok too!
But I am SO with you for NYCM! 🙂
I’m no expert but think the LSD has a place in 5k training.i joined a plank a day challenge and am building up to a 10 minute plank like you. Crazy! What’s next, 10 minute side plank? 10 minute one leg plank?
Great goals for the year! I’m still in love with the longer distances though, so I think I’ll just live the speed vicariously through you. 😀
It’s good to change things up once in a while. You’ll have a ball and remember how hard it is to run hard. I had my first speed session today after a few weeks off and it kicked my butt. It was only 400’s and 100’s but they hurt. Luckily I’m on holidays and could just lie around for the rest of the day.
you are so so smart to listen to your bod!
my life has been one “OOH HAVE TO CHANGE THIS!!” approach to training.
xo
I made a change and decided to run a spring marathon. The training is definitely a challenge, but I feel more proud of myself after long runs than I do in the summer. There’s something about forcing yourself out of bed in the dark and running through a foot of snow that will do that to you.
Good luck this year!
I think we all go thru phases with our running. I know I go from loving it to hating it in the course of 1 week! Sounds like you have a good plan though, plus, more 5ks means more t-shirts!
After Boston, I’m done with marathon for awhile as well. I would love to do a marathon relay with you… sign me up!
I perked up with the option of dualthlon, of course, anything involving a bike is fun to me
It’s always awesome to shift your goals! I was the opposite and just started the LSD train this year
I think breaks are great! I did 3 or 4 marathons a year until 2007 and then 1 in ’08, 1 in ’09, 1 in ’10, 1 in ’11 (and a 200 mile bike ride – that was my new goal) and 2 last year. I want to do a duathlon, too! I have to run NYC (need 2 more to get 15 by 2015 for guaranteed entry for life.) I hope you get in!
Awesome! I feel the need for speed too! I am focusing on shorter distances this year and just having fun. I signed up for a mud run even:0 Only signed up for one half marathon and plan to keep it that way (maybe).
It’s awesome that you’re reevaluating and taking a break! There’s no point in running if you’re not enjoying it!
Sounds like a good time to change things up. With the 13 in 2013 Challenge I’ll be mixing up the distances, with a good dose of halfs and 10ks (if I can some in my area!)
Oh, how I hate the speed! But I know it’s a necessary evil 🙂 So, I like you, am going back to it this year – grudgingly. I can definitely see a huge difference in my performances (especially as I get older) if I do a little speed. I’m still a slow-twitch gal, but gotta do whatcha gotta do 🙂
Do what you love, forget the rest. Burpees are not on my list of things I love either so maybe the quote isn’t all that fitting but…
That’s great! I think changing it up is fine, and you’ll do great with the speed work. I think the relay and duathlon are my favorite part of this list 🙂