• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fitness Fatale

Fitness Fatale

Conquering Fitness Goals One at a Time

  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Workout Program Options
      • 21 Day Fix Resources
      • P90X Resources
    • PRs & Race Reports
    • Pregnancy
      • Twin Pregnancy
    • Recipes
  • Coach Business Mentorship For Runners
  • Beachbody Accountability Groups For Runners
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Patience is a Virtue I Lack

So one thing that I did not anticipate about this whole Ironman recovery thing is how long it would last. I figured, a few weeks of sleeping in, and a few more of light workouts and I’d be good as new and ready to crush my former PR at the America’s Finest City Half Marathon on August 19. Unfortunately my body isn’t on the same page as my mind.

After taking 2 solid weeks off of all working out and then spending the next two weeks slowly getting back into things with some running,  yoga and random workout classes (about 5 hours of workouts per week with lots of sleeping in), I thought that all that rest might add some pep to my step by week 5. During the first few runs I had after the Ironman, I felt pretty bad. My pace was slow, my heart rate high. I expected this. Luckily most of the runs were with friends so I could chat it up and ignore the discomfort. I didn’t push the pace and ran at paces I haven’t seen on my Garmin in a very long time (with the exception of some of those dreadful 16-20 mile Sunday runs following a 80-100 mile Saturday bike ride). I was ok with this since I knew that I was still in recovery mode. My body just went through something pretty epic and it’s probably pretty freaking tired.

However, now that we’re in post-race week 6, I’m ready for my body to snap out of the funk. I’m not quite so patient anymore. I’m eager to get back into some solid running and I’m ready to start seeing some encouraging heart rates and average paces on Garmin Connect. However, my body isn’t on board with my plan. Although last Monday I did have a nice, pretty comfortable run without focusing on pace, I was running at a 9:50 min/mile! Not even close to the 8 min/miles I need for a sub-1:45. Then Friday Asia and I ran 60 minutes together with a negative split on the 2nd half (per her coach) and we felt like we were really pushing it on that second half only to find our average pace for 7 miles was 9:10. Both of our average heart rates were way too high. It’s clear I need more time to recover.

As of now, my goal of a sub-1:45 half marathon is no where in sight for AFC and honestly, I’m not sure I will even PR. This bothered me quite a bit in the beginning and now I’ve become slightly more accepting of it, but it still is hard for me to deal with. I’ve never not PRed in a race and next year I want to qualify for Boston. To qualify for Boston, I need to run a 8:15 min/mile for 26.2 miles. According to McMillan, this means I should be able to  bust out a 1:42 half marathon. I was hoping to run a 1:45 half at AFC to give me the confidence that I can run a 1:42 later in the season and also qualify for Boston in early 2013.

You may say, “WHO cares how fast you run!? Does it really matter?” No,  it really doesn’t. And I’m working on being ok with it not mattering. When I start the AFC half marathon it will have only been 8 weeks since the Ironman and I need to remind myself that my time isn’t going to be an indicator of whether or not I can qualify for Boston next year. Instead, I need to remember that my body is STILL recovering from the Ironman and if I push it too hard now, I’m going to mess it up. My thoughts need to be on the long term, not short term. Easier said than done but I’m working on it!

Are you as impatient as me when it comes to recovery? If you have raced an Ironman, did it take you this long to recover? 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

July 30, 2012 By fitnessfatale 2 Comments

Filed Under: Triathlons, Uncategorized Tagged With: racing after an ironman, recovery from ironman, when can you race again after ironman

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel

    July 31, 2012 at 10:57 am

    ahhhh i could have wrote this exact same post! it’s been so frustrating as mentally i’m ready to get back into running and serious training, but my runs still feel so hard and my pace is nowhere near where it usually is : / i was really hoping to go sub-4 at Portland in Oct, but based on how things are going that may be out of the cards now. and just like you, i’m trying to be ok with that. hang in there!

    Reply
    • FitnessFatale

      July 31, 2012 at 7:14 pm

      This makes me feel much better!!! I was starting to wonder if I was doing something wrong but sounds like I am just legitimately still recovering. Boo! I hope we both start seeing our old paces soon! I bet you will be ok by October! I’ve read it takes about 8 weeks so hopefully once that period ends we can get some good runs in!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Stronger, Healthier & Faster Together!

I am specialize in working with runners to help them incorporate strength training & nutrition into their running routines.

I am passionate about mindset and love to help people find more joy and success in their running by breaking through mental barriers.

While weight loss is a result of our programs, women in my groups often find that they are running faster, are less injury prone, and have more energy and confidence!

I am the founder of Team Run the World, a group of BODi coaches who love running! I provide mentorship, support and training for women who want to start their own coaching business from home and work flexible hours.

I would love to help support you in reaching your goals!

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Fitness Fatale