Sean's Running Blog

March 29, 2024

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Feb 24, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

  • 2011 Boston Marathon -- 2:27 (Top 50)
  • 2011 Steilacoom 20k -- 1:04:57 (1st)
  • 2010 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon -- 2:26 (7th) 
  • 2010 Fall City 10k -- 31:06 (1st)
  • 2009 Indy Mini Marathon -- 1:07:53 (7th)
  • 2009 WWU Invitational -- 10000m (30:58)
  • 2009 UW Indoor Meet -- 5000m (14:49)
  • 2008 Orem Turkey Run -4 miler -- 19:55 (1st)
  • 2008 Seafair Torchlight 8k--25:03 (3rd) 
  • 2008 Time to Fly 5k -- 15:35 (1st)
  • 2008 Newport Marathon -- 2:22:47 (1st)
  • Steilacoom 15M--1:18:30 (1st)
  • 2007 Olympic Trials -- 2:30:41 (91st)
  • 2007 St. George --2:18:55 (3rd)

Short-Term Running Goals:

  • Feb 23 -- Ft Steilacoom 15M
  • March 23  – Ft. Steilacoom 20k
  • April 15  – Boston Marathon
  • June 8 – Sound to Narrows 12k
  • June 22  – Grandma’s Half Marathon (USATF Champs.)
  • July 7 – Run of the Mill 5k
  • July 27 – Torchlight 8k
  • September – SJJ Half (maybe)
  • October/November – Fall Marathon (maybe)
  • December – Club XC Nationals

Long-Term Running Goals:

 Stay healthy

Personal:

Ran track my junior and senior years in high school and cross country my senior year. Went to BYU but did not run. Served LDS church mission to San Bernardino, CA. Started running again in April 2005. Marathon debut was St. George in 2005.

I coach the Mount Si High School Track Team (distance)

Been married for almost 17 years. My wife, Mara, and I have four kids ages 16, 14, 13 and 11.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks T5 Lifetime Miles: 34.00
Ravenna Lifetime Miles: 250.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.004.000.0010.00

Woke up this morning in Silverton, Idaho which is about 13 miles west of the Montana border. It was 14 degrees outside. So I waited until 11am to do my workout and it was a balmy 25 degrees.

3M warmup

5x1200m

3:42

3:47

3:47

3:50

3:50

I was supposed to do them in 3:45s. Didn't happen. It took everything I had to get the times I did and it should have been much easier than that. I don't know how much can be attributed to the cold weather. My left hamstring is causing me enough problems that I can't get a full stride from that leg.

I'm starting to wonder if my body is asking for a break. I've been running for 32 months and the longest break I've taken has been three days...the three days after the St. George Marathon. Other than that, it's been a day off every three or four weeks.

Weight: 0.00
Comments
From wheakory on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 16:03:03

Welcome to Idaho Sean... It's too bad your not close to Pocatello I would have loved to run with you.

I think you might need a break. I've ran 4 marathon in 9 weeks and I think it's catching up on me. I only took one day-off between each marathon which could be my factor. I'm planning on taking a day-off on Friday and this Sunday. I did run 14 miles today, but the fast twitch muscle just doesn't seem to be there. I think it's because of not taking a break, and I think that might be what your feeling. You know your body better than me and your definitely at another level than me so you know what your body needs.

Happy Thanksgiving Sean.

From sean on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 18:26:26

So here's a questions for folks...what does "take a break" mean? Does it mean taking a month off from running altogether? Does it mean cutting mileage in half and not doing hard workouts? Just trying to get an idea of what is best. I don't have a marathon planned until Fall, probably Berlin so if there is a time to chill a bit it's probably now.

From wheakory on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 22:35:39

My opinion of taking a break is a week off and then cutting back the miles a bit and the intensity. I think overtime your legs need to be refreshed.

I would think a month would be too long, because you would probably lose some endurance. I think its an advantage to train in the winter, but I don't think you have to train as hard.

From Dave Holt on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 22:58:26

That is a question only you can answer Sean. Running as much as you have for 2 1/2 years has brought you to tremendous heights - maybe a week or two of some 50's will get you strong again or just a few days off will get some good spring back. Whatever it is, you deserve it!

From James on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 23:02:44

Rest!

From steve ashbaker on Thu, Nov 22, 2007 at 23:17:16

Run when your body and mind demands it. But like Dave says, only you will really know the answer Sean.

From ArmyRunner on Fri, Nov 23, 2007 at 00:16:21

Check out Nick's blog who is training under Wetmore at CU. Their season just ended and he ahs them take two weeks off. With the second week doing some cross training. It looks like this is to recharge and get motivated to go hard again. I have never really tried this but it may work well. Interesting to think about at least. Although I am usually itching to go again after only missing one run. And this week has been tough just cutting the miles way back for the knee. But I guess if it is a planned break and not one forced upon oneself it may be easier?

From adam on Fri, Nov 23, 2007 at 00:30:40

I've found the planned two weeks off idea to be a good one, depending on how drained you really feel. I would try to fill each day with the same time amount of exercise: An hour run exchange with an hour of biking, or something creative, like snowshoveling. After about two days you start to feel the urge to get out again, and after two weeks your legs will be more than happy to knock out the high miles for a few more months.

From Sasha Pachev on Fri, Nov 23, 2007 at 13:35:28

Sean - you may or may not be experiencing long-term effects of overtaining. From the info you posted I would not necessarily conclude that you are overtrained. First, Silverton is at 2100 feet, which makes you about 2-4 seconds a mile slower to begin with. 25 degrees is probably another 5-10 seconds a mile slower. You also traveled, I assume with your whole family, right? I've noticed that when I travel long distances with kids in a car, I never run as well - the nervous system is worn out. I'd say that if you had a couple of other runners with you that often train with you, and you observed the wrong amount of gaps between you and them, but not among themselves, then there would be a cause to worry. Otherwise, I would just wait until you get back home and settle down to re-evaluate.

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