Return to the track

 I returned to the track back in May. During the pandemic, I had lost motivation and was just concerned with getting in my miles. There were lots of virtual races I ran from 5Ks and 10K and even a few mile attempts. The longest virtual run I raced was the Boston Marathon in September of 2020 that I ran on the Anacostia River Trail, starting in Hyattsville, going down to the Frederick Douglass Bridge then up to Lake Artemesia. 

But I wasn't really doing any speed. I hadn't run track in years. Worried that my VO2Max was declining with age and unable to find the fifth gear I used to have, I joined Tuesday Northwood Before Dawn, a group that runs track.




My first few sessions were a struggle as my ego was bruised by the slower than I'm used to times. After about a month, I noticed that my speed was returning. This translated into better tempo sessions as I continue to train for Cherry Blossom and a fall marathon, probably Boston on October 11. More importantly, my confidence returned. It was a good lesson that if you want to run fast, you have to run fast!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Planning is Essential for the Run-Commute

Planning is Essential for the Run-Commute By Kenny Ames As many workers return to the office, the runners in us may be afraid of losing time to run. Fortunately, some of us may have the option to run to and from work. For the last five years, I have become an expert in the run-commute. When I became a father, my schedule changed, and the only way I could fit in the time for a proper run was to get my miles to and from the office. And sometimes, I have had to commute by pushing the jogging stroller. Early on, I discovered that the key to the run-commute is planning. The considerations are: what do you have to bring with you (clothes, laptop, towel, toiletries), how are you going to bring it (backpack, drawstring, stroller), do you have a shower at work (is it just a shower or does it have towel and toiletries?), and can you store clothes at work? At work, I have a drawer where I store clean clothes, hooks and hangers for my suits and shirts, and even a dry cleaner onsite. I have both a ...
Read more

The mental game and running

Image
The mental game and running By Kenny Ames I raced my forty-ninth marathon and got my first win on Nov. 7. I’m not the fastest runner in most races, but every now and again I get the opportunity to compete in my age group or win outright. As experienced runners know, getting a win, setting a personal best, or just having a good race requires conquering doubts as much as hard physical training. "Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up." Amby Burfoot Just before 8am, I lined up for the Cross County Trail Marathon. It was my first in-person marathon since the 2019 Marine Corps, and I had an audacious goal: to win. I led off the line for a minute before another runner passed me and set the pace. The crushed stone and rocks and roots didn’t let me get into my desired pace, so I let him go. It was a brutal start, I was in second place and off of my other goal of g...
Read more

I Won the Cross County Trail Marathon!

Image
I WON! I won a marathon! I have won shorter races (5 miler, 5K) but this was my first (and possibly only) marathon win!! I o vertook the leader with 2.5 to go and hung on for the W. I finished third overall and second male in the Hatfield McCoy Marathon in 2016. I came in second overall and first master's runner in 2018 at Deadwood, South Dakota Marathon. This victory, however, will forever be special. What an amazing rush and feel to be able to cross the finish line of a marathon first overall! First place! This was my first marathon wearing my Montgomery Road Runners Club singlet. I figured since I did many morning track sessions and hill routes with the club, I should represent. The day started out fine. It was perfect marathon weather in the 30s/40s to start - I was shivering on the line, as it should be. I had felt lightheaded 20 minutes before the race due to a head rush, but that had passed. The Cross County Trail Marathon is actually run on a trail - go figure! I would say ...
Read more