Chad Austin contacted me before the 100k about doing some interview questions for his Running Minnesota blog. Of course I was hoping to write about how great the race went, but it ended up being more of a "searching for where I went wrong " piece. Nevertheless, it helped to write down some things about the race and running in general as it gave me some perspective. For example, it was much more negative until I edited some of my responses the next day. So dramatic I am.
I'm still healing at the moment. The hamstring feels better, but I will give it a couple more days before I try to stretch it. I'll get some ice on it for the next few days as well. I have the time at this point. My tentative plan is to do some easy running the rest of the month and get back into some more formal, but relaxed training starting in May.
The blog posts may be infrequent for the next couple of weeks as I don't know if I have to bore people with my days off.
LINK
Bill Brasky is sumabitch
The Cadbury Creme Egg conspiracy.
12 comments:
I'm not here for the running talk so much as for the links and the music. haha.
Enjoy the break (as much as you can).
I added some Black Keys and Silversun Pickups just for you Eric.
Patrick- Sorry to hear about the race, but you will be back shortly and as strong as ever. Sometimes injuries help keep things in perspective. I don't think there is anything one enjoys doing that doesn't have occassional setbacks.
You have strong performances ahead.
`WynnMan
Patrick, I'm truly sorry that your race turned out as it did. With all the intense training you did, you definitely deserved better. I enjoyed our laps together while they lasted.
Your plan to take it easy running-wise for a while sounds sensible. The last 30K of Mad City made me want to do likewise, but, in my case, I think switching over to the trails for a while may be sufficient to "cleanse the palette."
P.S. Did you google Cindy Bremser (mile marker 5) after you got home? I nicknamed her "Cindy Lou Who" while running (in reference to my complete ignorance of her), but it turns out that she was 4th in the 1984 Olympic 3K final. Pretty impressive!
Patrick,
Hey man I wanted to send you my best too. Your dedicated training (and resultant blog) has been an incredible motivator for me here in the desert. I hoped you would run a strong 6:45 at Mad city and still believe you are more than capable of just that. But, looking at a lot of the speedier workouts you still do, I am even more convinced your best marathon days and times are NOT behind you. My first thought reading the race updates was. Man, Russell needs to heal up and get into a marathon ASAP. An Oly Q time is in your legs currently. Strike while its hot right? Grandma's?
I'm glad you took the time to answer Chad, as it gives even more insight into how you train. Your thoughts on figuring out how to get to the start line free of the aches, pains and niggles that seem almost inevitable with high volume training sounds like a good challenge. I remember reading an article with Deena Kastor after Athens where she mentioned how many athletes were in the medical tent the afternoon of the marathon, getting taped/iced/etc.. This was of course before the biggest race of most of their careers.
I really felt you were ready for a big one, and I was really concerned when you dropped off the updated "on the road" results. I'm glad to hear you're ok, and after some regrouping I look forward to seeing how you tackle the marahon.
A little recovery time should allow you to scour youtube enough to find "Roscoe' Chicken and Waffles rap" for me, right?
I second that notion. I think you've got the setup to pull off one if not many very impressive marathons. Specifically a "big one" for OLY.QUAL. When I was injured for a bit last summer, I explored areas that I had not done in awhile like swimming, and it was great to be able to experience that again and ended up being more revitalized as a result.
WynnMan
These guys have all said what I was thinking. Thanks again for answering my questions, Patrick.
PR you know I what I think. From the first time I ever ran with you many years ago to when you first asked me about ultrarunning I knew how good you are and can be. This is a life long thing. Never be affraid to try different things and never give up. I will always belive that one day you will get that race you want. Live the dream my friend.
Wow thanks for all the positive feedback guys. It helps ease the pain of a DNF.
Greg, thanks for the info on Cindy Bremser. I totally forgot to investigate that when I got home.
Heres to better days ahead.
Sorry the race didn't go well. Enjoy the downtime recovering, such as one can.
Thought about aqua jogging while you recover? It really is fun ...
Why yes Evan. You make it sound so enjoyable...
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