The Run Down
Race: Chilly Half Marathon, Burlington
Date: March 5, 2017
Result: 1:29:33, 12th age (50-54)
Chilly brings out a tough crowd. Always several guys in my age group gunning for it like they’re in mid-season shape. Trust me, I’d love to be in top form and give them all a proper race.
I thought this was going to be memories of 2015 all over again. That year I was building back from an Achilles layoff. This year I was building back from a hamstring injury and just about the same fitness. In fact, I had just followed the same mileage build as 2015.
I have always been curious. Does quantity trump quality? I ask this because in 2016 I was on the bike and in the pool training for my first ever half iron. That left about 40 to 45 k per week of mainly quality runs, dreadfully low mileage by my standards. Yet in 2015 and again in 2017 I approached Chilly carrying 80 to 100k per week of mainly easy runs.
To answer the question: In 2015 I barely broke 1:24:00 and smoked my quads in the process. In 2016 I managed to chase down the always strong Robert Campbell in spite of almost unbearable pain in 1:22:39. That pain never went away.
So here is 2017. And 8k into the race that dreadful, unbearable pain is back. I had worked so hard in the gym to strengthen my hams and glutes. This should not have been happening. I backed off to what I could tolerate which was 4:30/k. Up till then, I had been pacing 4:00/k with ease.
It is a tough gig watching people pass by you. It is not an experience I can learn to enjoy. By 16k I had enough when the 1:30 bunny approached from behind and one of my slower running pals tried to slip by unnoticed (so as not to embarrass me). Otherwise this would have been a PW (personal worst) for certain.
I will continue to seek solutions for my issue, however with every painful run and race I do, I become more convinced my days as a top age grouper are over. Running has not been joyful for several years now. Man I miss that!
But back to the question of quality versus quantity. To be a successful distance racer, both are needed in the proper ratio. Neither one on their own will get you there.
Adieu for now. See you at ATB.
