Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Law of Diminshing Expectations

I was planning on running the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23. I have an online schedule of training that I've been following for a few months. I've been able to train during the week, running 3-5 miles 3 days a week, but havent been able to pull of the long runs on the weekends. These weekend runs are really important as they are the ones that really prepare you for the humbling punishment of a marathon. I've run this one before. Just a long time ago, and somewhat skinnier.

Reasons I havent been to run on the last 3 weekends?
* Hamburger Eating Championship
* Kids Football Games & Painting Bathroom
* Really Drunk

I've gotten up to 7.5 miles in my long runs, but really people, it's the UGLIEST 7 miles you've ever seen. I feel like a shopping cart with that one fucked up wheel. Shuddering down the road drifting from one side of the road to the other, dropping sweat and profanity all over the road. It's bad.

There was a time that I'd make myself do the Marathon anyway...or just straight out Quit. "Suck it up Asshole."
Black or White

Along with the Grey that some of you avery kind people have pointed out in my beard I think I have a middleground decision.
I'm going to run the Philadelphia Half-Marathon on the same day.

I have enough training to pull it off already and I wont be completely killing myself to finish.

4 comments:

Leonesse said...

Don't think of it as diminishing returns, think of it as conserving your energy for the important things. Like Gerber Daisy.

Chris the Hippie said...

Ah, you show much wisdom, young grasshopper.

ginger b said...

Alternate running and walking?

steakbellie said...

Leonesse,
It just burns me to aim lower. I need to get used to it I guess until I decide to get my shit together.

Chris,
You need to get out there with me and suffer some. It makes those beers so much sweeter

Ginger,
I actually use the Run/Walk tecnique when trying to break through a new distance. It's pretty effective at staving off Lactic Acid buildup.