Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments
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As I continue to peel back the layers of what may have happened to me at Boston, something keeps nagging me. Looking back at my splits, I realize that early on I wasn’t on pace for a 3:15 marathon, or even a 3:10. Some of my splits, had I been able to maintain them would have brought me in between a 3:00 and 3:05 marathon.
That’s a problem.
I’m not a 3:00 marathoner. Not yet anyway.
***
In retrospect, there were signs of the coming power bonk* during my training.
Throughout the winter, I was disciplined about running on the days I was scheduled. During the week I would run exactly or very near to what was prescribed by the Pfitz 18/55 plan I was following. On Saturdays, I would also run at the distance and speed that I perceived to be required.
But then there were Sundays.
Ah, the Sunday long run. It is, without question, my favorite part of training for a marathon. Whether it happens on my treadmill in the basement in front of the TV or, preferably, outdoors where I can enjoy the scenery, it is a relaxing time. Yes, I push myself; yes, I finish tired; yes, it is not easy; but it is peaceful. I get my highest runners’ highs off of the long run.
But there was a problem. I could never just run at the pace dictated by my training schedule. I always pushed the pace to a speed that was out of the physiological training zone I was supposed to be working on. Long, SLOW runs have their purpose. They are important, and yet I always pushed the pace a little faster than prescribed, probably costing me some precious endurance.
That being said, I was still probably in good enough shape to achieve the 3:15 I had originally been after, but true to form, when it came to race day, I pushed the pace. In the closing days leading up to Boston, I let myself get sucked into the concept of running a 3:10. My discipline went out the window at mile marker 1 and, in the words of my friend MK, the 20 – 25 seconds per mile I gained probably caused a classic bonk – and when I say classic, I mean an All. Out. Bonk.
I have never bonked like that before (not even at Manchester – that was my quads). I never want to bonk like that again.
So this training cycle is going to be about discipline (how I go about it I will discuss in my next post). Don’t get me wrong, I will still run happy. I will still have fun while I’m running. BUT, on Sundays and on race day, I will also remember the classic line, “slow and steady wins the race”.
More importantly, I will remember on race day that I have a plan, that I have trained for the plan, that I need the plan. I will resist the urge to push the pace early, and hopefully keep enough in the tank so that instead of hanging on for the final 10K, I will actually be able to pick up speed and finish strong. This was the strategy at Smuttynose, and it worked until I hit a soft wall with a mile to go. At that point though I just needed to finish to get my BQ…and I did.
So if you see me out there on a Sunday running way faster than I should, feel free to yell at me to rein it in. I know there are going to be times over the next 12 weeks that I just let the horses fly (or the schedule calls for a marathon-paced run), but I’ve got to remember, if I want to be disciplined on race day, I’ve got to do it in practice as well.
Run Luau Run 
I think we have come to similar conclusions – for you it took a bonk, for me an injury. Here’s to running smarter and more restrained for the next training cycle.
I’m with ya!
And practice makes progress. So thrilled you went to the yoga mat yesterday Luau because that will help you harness the discipline you need to get this done! I love being on this journey with you. I learn and relearn the lessons I need to over and over again which is that even though we might be able to go out there and just open it up and sometimes it feels good to do that – slow and steady always wins the race and keeps the pace! Have an awesome day. Sending hugs to you and the family.
Thank you Mary!
Hey luau, I also had the problem where I would run faster than I should on long runs…. how did I get around it?
I ran with a friend/training partner whose pace was the pace I should be running at!! And it worked! I ran comfortable long runs up to 22 miles with her. And when I ran on my own I sometimes kept the pace slower, but sometimes couldn’t resist but increase the pace. 😀
I’ll be interested to read your next post 🙂
Great reminder Luau about how to run YOUR pace based on your current fitness level. When I ran New York a few years ago, a few of my miles were at 2:34 marathon pace… and I was NOT in that kind of shape. I ended up bonking so hard and running 2:44, with several miles over 7 min. pace. It hurt, but it taught me a valuable lesson – in the marathon, there’s no room for going out too fast.
It is heartening to hear that at 2:40’s runner faces some of the same issues…oh if only I could bonk and still achieve a 2:44 marathon! You’re a rock star in my book my friend!
you know, I also have SUCH a hard time with the long SLOW run. I always struggle with it mentally – and it’s tough to keep the pace reined in. GUH.
I truly think that the mental aspect is the hardest part of the long run. Conquer that and you can run any distance!
Great post. I really need to get a grip on how to use a heart moniter.
You must have somehow read a preview of the next post!
Looks like you’ll have to run ALL of your Sunday long runs with me buddy! I’ll keep your pace reigned-in! 😉
Haha! You’re closing in fast on me on the shorter distances though!
Nice post!
I just came to the same conclusion on a much smaller scale. A year ago before I stopped I was a 12:00 mile runner (um, jogger). Now I am ramping back up on my run/walk program trying to get to 100% run at a 9:00 pace. I need to refocus on running 100% for 3 miles before I even think about speed.
I can SO relate to this post. Maybe we can patent some kind of shock collar for runners who exceed their goal pace for a specific training session. 😉 Every run is a learning experience!!
I think we could make some money on that!!!
My Garmin has a HR Alarm… 🙂