Games People Play

You don't ever have to put an age limit on your dreams. -- Dara Torres, 41 year old Silver Medalist

I've been getting into the Olympics this year. Dara Torres is an amazing athlete, beating the bathing caps off of swimmers more than half her age. Personally, I think her team let her down, although it's easy for me to judge. But Michael Phelp's team didn't let him down--eight gold medals! It's been really exciting to watch him pursue--and attain--his goal. Just incredible.

What was also incredible was the women's marathon. I was disappointed that Deena Kastor was injured; I was looking forward to watching her compete. Paula Radcliffe showed how much heart she has by finishing even though she was obviously in pain. But the Romanian, Constantina Tomescu, blew me away. I didn't think she'd be able to maintain that pace and the crazy lead she had for so long. She really can focus! I know what it's like to be running in a marathon all by yourself--'cept for me it's because I'm so far behind everyone. :-) And at age 38, she's almost in Master's territory.

It was cool to watch the elites race the marathon. I studied their form; the way they open up their chest to take in oxygen. I felt for them, running in 72 degree weather at 8 in the morning with ridiculous humidity. I worried when it looked like they weren't taking in enough water. And I marveled at how they carried stuff in those skimpy little outfits they wear!

Watching the swimmers helped me understand what my swimming instructor was trying to get across about strokes. And watching the runners put together what I read in magazines and running books. I can see how tempo runs are so important to develop stamina.

I've been keeping up my training, but it makes me tired. Maybe it's the late nights that are tiring me. My feet hurt, too, so I think I need new shoes. It kills me to buy shoes here, cause in Minnesota I got the 15% running club discount and I didn't have to pay sales tax. When shoes cost $150, that's a significant savings! My local store doesn't sell Asics, which are what I've found to be the best for me, so I'll either have to try something else, look for a different shop (which makes me feel disloyal), or order (gasp!) from the Internet. I do like to support local retailers, because they support the community.

Other than exhaustion and sore feet, my training has been going well. I'm trying to get a strong base before the 10 week training plan starts. I've got a schedule, of sorts: Sunday, run long; Monday, rest; Tuesday, track; Wednesday, recovery run; Thursday, cross train (bike); Friday, tempo runs; Saturday, long bike ride.

So that's the plan, now I just need to figure out the mileage for each. I'm training for the Big Sur half, and the schedule I was going to follow has too many weekly miles, starting at 35, when I've been averaging 20. That's too big a jump. I've got a stack of magazines with plans for 13.1. I want to get up to 15 mile long runs and I'd like to start at 10 miles. I have two weeks to find a plan and ramp up my distance.

Bicycling's been going well, too. I have less than 150 miles on my bike, but I'm getting more confident. Haven't fallen since that one time and am less in fear about it. Mostly I go on group rides of about 26 miles, but the other day I went out by myself. It was only 9 miles, but they were hilly. At one point I was in too high of a gear and the hill was steeper than it looked. I can't believe how quickly a bike can slow down! I thought I was going to fall, but managed to unclip in time. As I continued on, my legs were shaking from the adrenaline! It made me think about Jeanne's close encounter with a trolley and how she unclipped in time.

It's funny how you guys are always with me, whether I'm running or riding. Usually I'm composing a blog post, even though lately they never get written. And I think about what you've written and the encouragement you give me. I learn from your experience. The 21st Century Mom left a comment when I first got my bike about how she used to be worried about falling down, but she kept riding and eventually she stopped thinkig about it. Although I haven't lost my fear of falling, I think about it less.

Oh, by the way, the swimming and cycling that I've been doing are in NO WAY related to a desire to do a triathlon. I just want to be a better runner, specifically a better marathoner, and the other stuff is just a means to that end. I know I can turn in a faster marathon time; I just haven't proved it yet. The cross training and speed training should help me do just that.