Prepping For My Next Race Rocky-Style, Not Drago-Style

The 2014 Holyoke St. Patty's Day Road Race was the first 10k I had ever done.  Finishing that race on its own was an accomplishment for me at the time.  6.2 miles seemed like a daunting task that I wasn't sure I could overcome.

But I did it.  And as soon as I finished that race, I wanted to do another one.  And another.  Who knew that by the time I lined up for the race this year, I'd have two full marathons under my belt and be anxious to crush my 1:07 finish from last year.  Not to mention, I've dropped a few pounds since then and I think I'll be looking better in my finisher pics.

I've had my eye on the weather forecast, and when it hit the 10-day, it was looking sunny and low-40's with 0% chance of precipitation.  I was very relieved, as I hate the cold and I hate precipitation.  So, when I checked the forecast the next day, I was shocked to see it call for 45-degree temps, but for... wait... a 60% chance of snow?

1-3 inches to be precise and I couldn't believe my bad luck.  The first race of the season and I was either gonna have to run in slushy, disgusting snow, or maybe I just wouldn't go at all.  Two things particularly bothered me about the forecast.  First was the temp: 45 degrees seemed a little warm for snow.  And the second was that yesterday they told me there was ZERO percent chance of snow.  Now, unless my math skills have escaped me, doesn't that mean that there is absolutely, positively no chance of snow?  I mean... isn't that what ZERO percent means?

And now suddenly there was a 60% chance?  Where did this come from?  Is the meteorological center hiring people with 2nd grade logic skills?  How does it go from zero percent to sixty in one day?

I mean, I was really pissed off until the next day I checked again and saw the snow and precipitation back off the forecast, replaced by a bright sun .  Ahh.... much better,  I just checked again, and it looks like partly cloudy and 46.  I'll take it.  Last year's race was overcast with a little drizzle and temps in the high-30's, low-40's.

So, I'm excited again and now my focus is turning towards crushing that 1:07.

One of my problems I have noticed, however, is how I train versus the clock.  Some days I go out, and I just got it.  Last year I ran a 5k at an 8:26 pace.  I did a 6 mile training run at 9:05.  These are fast times for me.  But some days are better than others.

I went to the gym today, did a 10-minute warm-up and then set the pace at 7.0mph, or 8:34 per mile.  I thought it was a bit slower than my 5k pace (from last JULY!) and I could probably get 5 miles done there.  Then I actually got on the treadmill and realized that 7.0mph is still fast for me over any kind of distance.  I made it through the first 5k, but ended it there.

Of course, I tried to analyze it to death.  What went wrong?  Maybe it was because I did 13.1 miles on the treadmill 2 days ago.  Maybe it's because I lifted yesterday.  Maybe I shouldn't have had those two Yuenglings last night.

Then I sorta realized... I'm a spreadsheet guy.  I like things to make sense.  I like to put stuff on a chart and see improvement.  It's one thing to be out on race day, focus, and give it all you got.  It's another to program a treadmill and hope that you can just get it done.  That's being a machine.  That's being Ivan Drago.

The trouble is, I don't want to be Ivan Drago.  I want to be Rocky.  And I think this winter has been all about work for me and less about the enjoyment of running.  I need to get back out on the roads and breath the fresh air.  I need to watch the birds and squirrels and rabbits dart away from me as I approach them.  I need to see the finish line and push for it, and not just press "STOP" whenever I feel like I'm done.  I need to dive into the bushes to avoid teenage texting drivers.  I miss this stuff!

Tomorrow I was going to mimic the hilly 10k course I'm going to run on Saturday on the elliptical.  But I think I've changed my mind.  It's supposed to be 48 degrees tomorrow, and it might rain.  But screw it.  I need some outdoor time.  I need to break free of this winter already.  I need to enjoy running again, climb a mountain and yell...