Me to not enter a bookstore when it is right there and I have extra time? Unheard of. The first book that caught me eye? This:
It looks like everything I dream about in a book: a memoir, running, and writing. It is perfect for me! While I am dying to start reading it ASAP, I am saving it for my plane ride on Friday.
Then, with running on my mind, I went to the running section. I had an idea about what I was looking for. It took me a while, but then I saw one copy hidden away.
I am usually not one to A) jump into fads and B) follow set training plans. But I have heard plenty about this method and while I know most of what the method is (training for a marathon with more overall weekly miles, but less distance on the long run), I do love reading the background of plans. Plus, it is always nice to have an extra marathon book lying around.
Do I think I will follow their plan entirely for my next 26.2? Probably not, but I will most likely incorporate some of the ideas into it. For instance, I REALLY must start running faster miles faster and slower miles slower.
So this is what I will be reading on my flight. I find reading about running before a race puts my mind in a strong, confident place going into race day (See, I told you I could not NOT talk about this upcoming race?) What book is on your bedstand book right now?
I have to read a book about food insecurity on the plane for one of my grad school classes, BUT once I'm through that, I have a copy of Matt Fitzgerald's recent release, "The New Rules of Marathon and Half-Marathon Nutrition." Because for me, the running is all about the eating ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm nearly incapacitated right now by pre-marathon obsessing, fwiw. My brain's clogged by second-guessing everything, from my choice of tank top to my pace strategy. I need it to be Sunday already!
I hear you! I think I am bringing 2 different running outfits because I cannot decide what to wear. And last night I was completely wondering what kind of fueling strategy I should use. And pacing? I cannot even go there. I have a half hour time frame in my mind for when I might finish because I totally am second-guessing all of my training.
DeleteWhat is your food insecurity book? My class just watched the documentary Urban Roots about farming in Detroit last night; students LOVED it.
It's not solely about food insecurity - Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich - but we have to parse it & discuss the elements that reflect food insecurity among the working poor. I read it years ago, but will need a refresher.
DeleteRe: pace, I have a possibly ridiculous stretch goal of a flat 4-hour marathon. So I'm now torn between "this is my last marathon, may as well go for broke" and "this is my last marathon, I don't want to DNF at mile 22." Still leaning toward the first option; my training has gone well enough that I don't think it's a total pipe dream.
Oh! I had no idea you were thinking @4 hours (I think I thought you were trying to BQ). I just went out for an "easy" 4 miles today and my avg pace was 9:10 and it felt like I was going SO SLOW. My only goal is around 4 hours, but I feel much better when I run faster which I am certain will leave me dead on the side of the road at 20 miles. We should try to stick with the 4 hour pacers for at least the first half. They say the hardest part of the race is between miles 9 and 13. After that I will assess how I am feeling. You should join me!
DeleteLove your recent posts! I am so excited for you for the race this weekend! I wish you the best luck and a happy stomach and I will be excited to hear about it. I just bought the Hansen Marathon book too. I must be a succor for the recent buzz I have been hearing about it. I am very intrigued by the theory. I would love to hear what you think too. Also, I have the exact same piriformis muscle issue and that is the first time I have heard it called that. I will have to use your tips to see if it helps:)
ReplyDeleteThanks! We will definitely have to share thoughts on Hansen. Do you have a (post-baby, of course) marathon planned or are you just interested? I think not doing a run over 16 is a bit crazy, but I could try modifying some of the miles. I love how confident I feel (most of the time) after an 18 or 20 miler.
DeleteMy Nook! I'm a fiction reader - I just want to lose myself in the story!! I'm currently reading another Janet Evanovich book - one of my favorite authors!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck keeping yourself distracted the next few days!
Ah yes, fiction. Sometimes I get on big rolls with reading fiction all the time but it has been a while. Barbara Delinsky is my favorite. She writes a lot about Maine and I love Maine so it's like I am removed from reality onto an island off the coast.
DeleteI still have Chi Running and my copy of Runner's World by my bed right now. I really don't have a lot of time to read, so anything I have is always slow going.
ReplyDeleteI have heard the idea of shorter long runs, so I am interested to see what kinds of things you incorporate into your next cycle.
I saw the Chi Running book and considered it but not sure I would get much out of it. I understand about not having time to read, yet somehow I find the time.
DeleteI hope you have a GREAT weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteThose books sound tempting. I bought an e-book that I'm reading now: "A Life Without Limits"
Have you read this? How do you feel (in general) about books written by athletes?
Thanks :) Is that Chrissy Wellington's book? I have wanted to read that. I love the books that can go into the lives of the athletes much, much more than when athletes write books that are much more like how-to guides. My all-time favorite athlete book is Open by Andre Agassi!
DeleteThat's also something that I need to work on, running slower and faster. I was shooting for an 8:20 marathon pace, so all my long runs were around that, and my shorter ones were more lilke 8:00 minute miles....that's really not supposed to happen.
ReplyDeleteMaybe why I'm on the side-lines now:-(
Hope you feel better soon. Sometimes it is SO DIFFICULT to make yourself go slow, especially when time is limited.
DeleteI've read the Murakami and really enjoyed it! But then I enjoy almost all of his work so why should this one have been any different! :)
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of this Hansen method. Guess I'm a little behind. Thanks for making me aware of this! Going to add it to my sky high "to-read" list! Would be keen to hear your thoughts on it.
I've current got 3 books on the go: The Count of Monte Cristo, Oliver Twist and the 4 Hour Chef. It's taking a while to get through them!
I am so excited to start Murakami tomorrow. I haven't let myself look at it all week so I can save it for the plane.
DeleteI too picked up Hanson's book recently and jumped right on the Hanson wagon. I guess it's people like me who jump right into things that get these crazy fads going ;).
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book called "Far From the Tree" (I think-should probably know what it's called by now), which is about parents raising children who are unique in some way (it's grouped into chapters on things like autism, crime, deafness, dwarfism, prodigies, etc.). It's been interesting, but definitely not what I was hoping for (it's kind of information overload).
Good luck in Texas!