4 is better than 2

Draper Days

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Saucony Triumph Progrid 5 Lifetime Miles:						47.00
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Sat, Jul 21, 2007

Race: Draper Days (3.1 Miles) 00:18:03, Place overall: 28

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
7.00	0.00	3.00	0.00	10.00

Lately I have been experimenting with how to run even slower in a 5k, today I made my first attempt at walking - not once, but twice. I can honestly say it is a very effective way to run slow. I cannot really say what went wrong other than a major case of wussitis. I came through the first mile in 5:06 feeling fair, not great, but not bad. I came off the hill and just decided I had enough. I stopped and grabbed a drink, and then tossed another over my head, then the guilt set in. I took off again and ran with Bill for a little while, but wussed again a few minutes later. I walked for a little more and then took off running. I keyed on keeping Bill in sight and just cruised in. Like I said, I cannot really say what happened, mentally I just completely imploded. To say that I am frustrated would not even begin to cover what I am feeling now, but I will get back with it and try to determine why I caved so early. I walked for about a minute total, maybe a little longer so I can honestly say my pacing was probably not too bad, just not all together. Congrats to all the other bloggers who had great days, and a special thanks to Sasha, Paul, and Cody for entertaining me during our warm-up.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 0.00	Weight: 0.00	Calories: 0.00

Comments

From Sasha Pachev on Sat, Jul 21, 2007 at 15:19:57

It is not uncommon for me to experience those feelings - all of a sudden I just do not want to go even though the pace does not feel too bad, and in fact does not hurt at all. In my opinion, it has nothing to do with wimping out or coming to the race with a bad attitude.

I think the root of this feeling is physiological. I noticed three contributing factors - lack of sleep, sustained periods of low blood sugar, and the heat. It does take a super-human effort to fight it, and you gain very little time-wise, so that makes fighting it even harder. Nevertheless, for proper mental development, one should still fight it, even if the difference in the finishing time is only a few seconds. When it happens, I pretend an enemy is trying to get me to do something that is below me by altering my thinking with injected drugs, and even though the body and even the mind may fail, I try to keep the spirit afloat.

From James on Sat, Jul 21, 2007 at 15:20:24

Scott,

We all have days like that once in a while. I've done similar things several times.

I know that warm-ups with those three can be very entertaining!

From Paul Petersen on Sat, Jul 21, 2007 at 16:58:40

During my first few years of college, I was constantly tempted to step on the inside rail of the track during 5K races in order to sprain my ankle. I figured that if I had a sprained ankle, I could stop running! Fortunately, I never gave in to those particular temptations, but the point is that 5Ks hurt more than any other race and do strange things to your mind. Don't sweat it.

From Cody on Sat, Jul 21, 2007 at 18:53:36

Don't sweat it Scott. It will come together for you again shortly. You ran well, just as a fartlek. Call it a workout and no one will know the difference.

At least you made my day when I got to pass you.

From Randy on Sun, Jul 22, 2007 at 13:07:11

Dude. I'm feelin' for ya. Take an easy week. Get your [stuff] together and start rebuilding for a fall race. For some reason, Murray and Draper where never kind to me. I think it's because they came at the end of my spring cycle and I was just done. Sometimes you see the mental signs before you realize it physically.

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