Longer Distance Running

In an extended fit of insanity I signed up for several long races for this fall. So I am pretty much commented to working on distance running to get ready and I don’t have time for slacking from now on till winter. What I have found about putting in longer runs is that in addition to the issues of sore and strained muscles there are rubbing burns and bruised toes to deal with. On the plus side I think my fitness has improved some and my running muscles have become a little more hardened and resilient. Although early on it was hard to imagine running for hours at a time, I have found it to be OK, tiring leaving me sore, but OK. Running for hours at a time is not fun like hiking for hours but not too bad. I still have a long way to go on my endurance distance training to be ready and my speed is still slow. I am still coming in after a long run thinking “finally I am finished, I can now collapse” not “I could really run another 9 miles now, no problem.” Also for the two half marathons I have ran so far, I have not felt ready to turn around and run it again. I am working some on speed but I hope to work more on my speed this winter. I thank I am just naturally slow.

In general since the beginning of our effort I have found I enjoy running more than I did when I was in college and expect to continue long term. I do not find running actually fun but it seems to be a satisfyingly really great intense cardio workout. I also like MCRRC and intend to stay a member in the future. The running clubs seem to be really great organizations and the running community seems to be really nice and friendly. Also since the posted running training schedule included weight/strength work as suggested cross training that helped motivate me to add that to my regular routine. I hope this should help slow down the normal degeneration of my muscles and bones now that I am on the wrong side of the hill.