Another week of 2020 has come and gone. While this was a good week of workouts on paper, I got caught up in comparing my runs to training runs from a few years ago. Don’t compare yourself to where you were before. Although isn’t that how we see progress? I’ll take more about this in a minute. First let’s go through the weekly run down.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: Strength Training + 3.7 Miles
Tuesday: 4.3 Stroller Miles + Core
Wednesday: 7.1 Miles with 4 x 1 Mile Repeats
Thursday: Strength Training + 4 Miles
Friday: 1.1 Mile + Glute/Hip Exercises
Saturday: 9 Miles
Sunday: 5.1 Miles (1.5 solo +3.6 stroller)
Total: 34.3
Turning 37
Monday was my 37th birthday, so I ran 3.7 miles. It was storming out so I was on the treadmill. Leading up to this week I was going to try to do my longer workout this day because it’s nice to do it on Mondays without tired legs from lifting. However, I don’t like doing speed work on the treadmill and the rain and wind was just too heavy for running outside. I mean, I could have run outside but I probably wouldn’t have had a good workout anyway.
Mile Repeats
This was my last (and one of my only) big workouts before a 10k I’m doing soon. I ran a warm up, then 4 x 1 mile at 10k pace with 3 minutes recovery, and a cool down. Each repeat felt easier and got faster. But overall it was a challenging workout. It makes me wonder if my expectations for my 10k pace are too fast for where my fitness is right now. (I’m aiming for a similar pace to what I did this spring when I ran a virtual 10k). It felt good to push myself, but I was definitely feeling this workout the next day.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Where You Were Before
After struggling through my mile repeats a workout showed up on my TimeHop from 6 years ago. I ran 4 x 2 miles at the same pace. In the middle of higher-mileage marathon training. That workout certainly didn’t knock me down like this one did.
Even though I am really happy with the progress I’ve made since having Grayson almost 2 years ago, it can be hard to look back at what I was doing 5-7 years ago. My easy run pace was faster (but was I really running “easy”?….), my workouts were stronger, I was training for marathons 1-2 times a year. But I was also in my early 30s, with no kids, and I ended up injured quite a bit.
Of course it’s nice to see progress, so that is one reasons to compare yourself to where you were before. So instead of focusing on what is more challenging for me right now, I need to focus on the progress I have made more recently. Like being able to run 6 days a week again for the first time since 2014. And hitting my highest monthly mileage in years. And all these stroller miles that challenge me in a completely different way.
#Rundestober
I’m also doing something that I’ve never done before, which is a running streak. I am a huge proponent of rest days, but I am just doing this for fun for 1 month. At least one of my runs each week is VERY short and VERY easy. I made it through 18 days so far, but my last rest day was technically on 9/25 so it’s actually been 23 days.
Here’s the thing- if I were coaching myself, I would look at what I’ve been doing and be able to see the accomplishments of higher mileage, more consistent running, and strength training progress. Those things are going to impact my pace and even how I feel on my runs. You can’t have it all (at least not at the same time) so I need to keep things in perspective.
You may also like:
Building Mileage and October Running Plans
Finding Flexibility With My Running
Why and How to Schedule an Off-Week from Running
How were your workouts last week?
Do you compare yourself to where you were before?
How do you measure progress with your running?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Happy birthday! Hope you had a good one. I stopped comparing my current runs, my current weight and even my skin to years back. It doesn’t serve me well and I can’t compete with age. Yes, I know my PR’s for certain distances but I am not so much caught up in trying to beat them anymore.
Thank you! That is very smart. I know that certain things are going to be more challenging as I get older, but its hard to to want to continually improve.
It’s kind of a double edged sword. At my age, it wouldn’t be fair to compare myself to where I was before. My PR days are long behind me!. But when I do hit a speedy streak, like now, I can’t help but think about what could be.
Yes, that’s a good way to put it!
First of all..I had no idea that you were anywhere close to 37! I thought you were in your early 30’s at most. I haven’t had to deal with the issue of comparing myself to myself b/c right now there is no “before”, I’m still improving. But I can see that would be a tough to be on the other side. But the “you” of two years ago also didn’t have a baby, so it’s hardly an apples to apples comparison. Hopefully once I get to the other side of improving I’ll remember that the “me” of right now has never been injured or [insert life situation here] and be able to enjoy the fitness that my body is able to give me. Good luck on your 10k!
Thanks! There are so many factors involved which can be good and bad. I hear about people who are running their best race times in their 40s and 50s after having kids so who knows. But I know that I need to be realistic about my goals.
When I return to running, it’s gonna be a real mind game to NOT compare my rally back from three years ago. My rally back in 2017 was from a healing suture seam and not a fractured bone, so I know I’ll have to really be cautious this go-round. A huge advantage, though, is the lack of upcoming races 😉 Glass half full LOL
Very true! Every comeback is different and for a stress fracture its important to be extra cautious.
Happy Birthday! I’m good at not comparing myself to others but my best runs/races/paces/training cycles are etched in my mind. That said, they don’t haunt me. I’m just grateful I was ever able to achieve them.
I hear ya. I mean how can you not compare yourself at least somewhat to where you once were? Even if you know that it’s not realistic to be back there.
Happy Birthday! I’ve enjoyed seeing your posts for #RUNDESTOBER on Instagram.
I was definitely falling into the comparison trap this weekend. My virtual half marathon felt so difficult yet I was able to do 13 mile training runs easy last Fall when I was training for Chicago. It made me kind mad at myself but then I had to remember that last year is not this year and things are SO different.
Thank you! I know what you mean. It’s so hard not to think back about where we once were. But things change. And this year is definitely different!!
I do like to compare (somewhat) but right now, for the most part, I’m running for fun and not pushing hard. I challenge myself a little every once in a while — “training” for a virtual 5k at the moment — but nothing outrageous.
I think running, like most things, has its ebbs & flows.
Besides, mile repeats are supposed to be hard! I think I dislike them even more than tempo runs!
Yes, totally agree that it ebbs and flows! And I also agree about mile repeats…they’re one of the hardest workouts I think!
Happy Birthday!
Sometimes I do compare myself to before. I remember being able to run 10:30 miles. Now they feel a bit harder. However, I also think about the improvements I’ve made these past months. It feels great! Maybe soon I will be running again faster.
I’m sure you will! You’ve been working so hard!
Happy belated birthday! At almost 63 years old, it’s hard for me not to wistfully look back and compare myself to where I was 20 years ago. My body won’t let me run a single marathon today, much less run multiple marathons a year or a sub 3:30. Those were the days and now I’m working hard to recover so I can run a 5K on Thanksgiving without walk breaks AND without risking a re-injury.
Thank you! Thats a really good goal. I’m trying to make the most of my running now because you never know what the future will bring.
Happy belated birthday! I hope it was a great day!
Not comparing can be hard. I often look back (sometimes even angrily) on where I was before I broke my leg. It’s hard to know that things used to be so much easier. But then I have to remember that I am where I am, and I can be sad and think about what was or work with what I have. It’s not always easy, but I try.
Thanks! That’s a really good point. There is only so much we can control and we just have to do the best we can.
Happy birthday! My “easy” pace has increased 30 seconds in the last five years. About the only time I care about it is when I see my friend’s pace on Strava and think I should be faster! But overall I’ve just accepted it’s going to happen. Great job on the streak – keep it up!
Thank you! Its funny because I generally don’t care about other people’s paces. It’s when I see my own from past years that I wonder if I should be running faster!