What do you do when the magic is gone?

[Magoo]

So far in 2008 I have felt very human and average compared to 2007.
Because of this I've been avoiding racing. Tonight I decided who cares and went out to see what I still have in me.

I picked the Downtown dash tonight in Burlington. Great race but it was an abrupt reality check of my current fitness. Could feel it after the first k. which I went out too fast. At 2k I was passed by some of Hamilton's speedy old dudes like I was standing still. At halfway I was feeling desolate and thought I had dropped above the 4 min k pace based on the runners around me and my watch. Really felt like dropping out and calling it a night.

At 4k I realized I was reading my watch wrong. I saw that I was able to still finish under 20 minutes. Was able to mildly turn up the pace a bit at this point. I saw 18:xx in the distance and poured it on. The announcer said "bring it home big guy" which made me think do I look fat in these shorts. I had a nice sprint and thought I may of caught 18:59. Checked the results and saw that I finished in 19:00 even. I can live with that. Hey, I can feel good about that.

It's not close to the times I was running in 2007 but now I can be realistic with myself and do what need to do start feeling and running super again.

[Irongirl]

sounds like most of the problem was in your head. (or, reading your watch wrong)

are you doing the same intensity of training as you were before?

are there other factors in your life that is adding to stress?

do you normally race night races?

[Magoo]

I'm running the same volume without the intensity.
My nutrition has been way off as well, which my
wife reminded me tonight.
I showed up a bit puffy tonight.

The 5k always seems to play with my head though.

[rundmc]

I'm in the exact same position, down to the same race (I was 3 spots ahead of you tonight). I was on fire all of last year through April of this year, but I haven't felt like training as hard since, and the times have been so-so as a result.

If you haven't been doing the workouts, you know what to do. I think knowing what sort of shape you're in helps. I don't know what your PBs are, but I think I'm 4-6 weeks away from being able to challenge them. Pick a reasonably distant goal that's 2-3 months away and gradually get back into it. Good luck.

[Stella]

Time off intensity running can do the body good. It gives you the time to build the foundation that fast running is built on. Once you start working speed workouts into your training regiment, you'll most likely find that you're running faster than before.

This 5k race was a good place to start.

[Doonst]

We've all felt that way halfway through a race. Its hard to keep intensity at the same level, that's just the way it goes. Your numbers are very good, you'll get it back.

[5km]

Keep the faith, Magoo.

I also ran in the Downtown Dash 5K. I didn't score a PB either.

But hey, there's always the next race! Right?