Jul 30, 2012

My Olympic Addiction and Need for a Half Marathon Goal

With the exception of the 17 miler I ran on Friday, my weekend was busy...busy watching the Olympics.  I think I have slept with the TV on since the opening ceremonies and I have been up late every night watching various sports. I said that I was only going to watch gymnastics and women/men marathon but I have been watching cycling, swimming, volleyball, etc. 
My heart aches for gymnast Jordyn Wieber! The poor girl missed the chance to compete in the all-around finals while 21 other girls who scored lower than her will compete!  That sucks especially when the girl is an all-around world champion! I am also wishing the best for Desiree Davila who is still undecided on whether or not she will compete in the Women's marathon. I hope she makes it to the start because she is my favorite!

So how is my running going? My left calf was sore again after my 17 mile run on Friday so I decided that it was time to take it easy and back off a little bit so I took the rest of the weekend off.  It felt better on Sunday morning but I got kind of nervous and decided that it just wasn't worth another run so I only managed to get 29.50 miles in last week. I was a little bummed that I had to pass on my Sunday run but couldn't even imagine another injury. Instead, I slept in and spent some time with my family. I am glad I played it smart.

The guilt from missing my Sunday run really got to me so I made up for it this morning. My legs were feeling good so I played it by how I felt and ended up doing 9 miles at an easy pace. I am starting to get nervous. The Disneyland Half Marathon is about a month away and I really want to run it feeling strong and pain-free. I still have not set a goal for this race. I have not been very good at setting race goals lately. I feel like it makes me put too much pressure on myself and I don't want to do that right now. My current Running Goal for a half marathon is to break 1:47 but I can't say that I am ready for that yet. My runs for the past two months have not shown me that I am capable of this goal so I cannot confidently say that I can pull it off. I will continue to work towards this goal.

So have you been watching the Olympics? What are your favorite sports to watch? Who is your pick for the Gold in the Women's Marathon?

10 comments:

  1. The Olympics are preventing me from sleeping
    I go to bed sooo late.
    I think the gymnastic rule for the all around is pure BS. It makes no sense that it is not THE BEST who moves on. it should not matter where they are from.

    I am also tired and mad that the media will not give Michael Phelps a break, enough with the pressure already!

    Marathon...well I am not routing for Flanagan

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with you on the rules. The minute one the athletes doesn't win a gold medal or fouls up, the media is right in there face! The gymnastics is so unfair because the best will not be competing! That should change!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I nearly cried watching Jordyn miss out on her chance. Maybe my heart went out a little more because my eldest is named Jordyn...who knows, either way it was heartbreaking!
    Way to go listening to your body! A 1:47 goal is AMAZING and I know you can do it!!! xoxo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am still feeling bad but I guess the rules are the rules! I am not sure what my next half marathon holds for me! I just hope I can finish a bit faster than the last two!

      Delete
  4. I'm the biggest Olympic junkie I know.....I'm watching women's soccer, equestrian, team handball, field hockey.......you name it, and every 4 years, for 2+ weeks, I care DEEPLY about these sports! LOL

    Regarding the women's gymnastics competition......sorry to say, but boo hoo for Jordyn Wieber. The rules are the rules, and she knew them going in. I'm completely in love with my homegirl Aly Raisman (don't remind my wife! LOL), and her overall performance was simply better......that's just how it works. It sucks for Jordyn, but that's why they score the events.

    You're gonna kill that half......I've got the 2nd of my training cycle coming up this Sunday and I have no real plan yet, other than to enjoy the scenery and do my best. Wishing you a wonderful run!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are a hard core Olympic fan Bill! I know I know...the rules are the rules but it is just hard to see a young girl lose out on a great opportunity that she was deserving of! Your training is coming along very well! You are putting in some serious mileage!! Keep up the hard work!

      Delete
  5. We have been watching the Olympics nonstop!! Even those events that make you think...really? That's an Olympic sport?

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Olympics have totally been screwing with my sleep too! Worth it? I think so. :) Soccer is, and always will be, my favorite to watch. Gymnastics, swimming, track and all running stuffs.

    YAY OLYMPICS!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I wish I could watch the Olympics--I *must* figure something out for the marathons. We don't have cable and there's no way to get it streaming unless you hack into the BBC somehow (yes, we're considering that).

    You are being really smart about your training and weird aches and pains. It will pay off--do not worry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are missing out on the Olympics but it may not be such a bad thing. I can barely get out of bed in the morning to get to work because I am addicted to watching all of the events! I am trying to play it safe and hoping for the best.

      Delete