“You’ve said that about a lot of your runs lately.”
27 days after the Des Moines Marathon, I had just gotten home from my Saturday run. Six miles at recovery pace, it again left me in search of that feeling I crave when I get out onto the trail. It’s not like it felt hard, but it didn’t feel easy either. Before Riss said those words, she first asked how my run went. On my way up the stairs, I did the vocal version of shrugging my shoulders. “Eh,” I responded. “Not great.”
She was right. I had said that about a lot of my runs lately. I want to write something like, “I can’t figure out why!” Yet, I know the answer. It’s been four weeks since the marathon. My fitness isn’t going to snap back overnight. My body, recovering incredibly well, still has signs of running 26.2 miles at an incredibly hard pace. Again, I know the answer. I’m still recovering!
After going through something similar this past spring, I figured this recovery period would go a lot different. Those runs sucked because my headspace was all out of whack, I told myself. This time around, I’m coming off another PR and BQ — I’m feeling great! Not to mention, May was when the temps and humidity were climbing. These runs are on great fall mornings. I should be good to go!
Sometimes, I am. Other times, not so much. If anything, this recovery period has been another learning experience for me. Just because the race went well (and it did) and just because weather is great (and it is), the body is going to heal on its own time.
That backdrop made Sunday’s run all the more enjoyable, as I found what I had been searching for.
This week in podcasting:
My dad, Tim Peterson, returned to the pod to discuss topics we left on the table from our first conversation in September. Why has running been hard for him in recent years? What has it meant being a St. Jude Hero for close to a decade? Plus, turning 58 and why that age matters so much to him. This episode was recorded live at The Good Life Halfsy expo!
I also put out a bonus episode, also recorded at The Good Life Halfsy expo! When I found out I’d be there, I wanted to do something different, and I feel like I was able to put something unique together. Almost 20 runners agreed to answer a few questions. You’ll recognize some of my questions from previous episodes on this one. Hope you enjoy!
If you like the pod, would you mind leaving a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform? And please do share it (as well as the newsletter!) with those in your life that would find enjoyment from it.
I’ve mentioned the Aksarben Athletic Club a few times in recent months. It’s a running group started by Derek Loseke, aka Derek from Strava. Derek joined me back on the second episode of Chasing Three Hours and late in the conversation, I asked him if he’d ever considered getting into coaching. He’s such a positive person. Such a believer in people. And as he said to a few of us on Sunday morning, he’s got a pretty good handle on what runners are able to do ahead of upcoming races.
Anyway, what began as a group text became a GroupMe chat and is now a Discord server, with runners of all sorts of abilities. Discussions about upcoming or past races? You’ll find them there. Questions about shoes or running gear1? Oh yeah. And of course, group runs. Lots and lots of group runs.
So, when the word went out late last week that there’d be a 14-mile run coming up on Sunday morning, I said yes, hoping to have a good time and good conversation across a couple hours.
It was the exact type of run I needed.
I was purposefully avoiding looking at my watch too much as we got going. My HR had been higher than I wanted lately — a big source of my frustration in recent weeks — and I didn’t feel like seeing a number I deemed as too high. I kept the watch hidden underneath my long shirt. I still remember the first beep of the morning, marking mile one in the books, coming earlier than expected. Yet, when I looked at my time, it was slower than I would have guessed by 30 seconds.
And my HR was normal again.
This was a constant throughout. The miles flew on by. The discussions bounced around. Past races, upcoming races. Husker football. Personal lives. Training plans. The conversation never lulled. Even the groups themselves changed from mile to mile. For a couple miles, I was in a group of four. Later on, it was just one other person and me.
By the time we approached the ten-mile mark, I finally started peaking at my watch a bit more. Wouldn’t you know it; everything was right where it should be. My pace felt smooth, my HR felt great, and I was having fun again. I finished the run, excited for Riss to ask me how it went. Excited to finish the day together, discussing the best parts of our day.
I knew I’d be mentioning this run more than once.
I can’t help but think of what this group will mean to me (and others) in the months and years to come. What started as a way to connect for weekend long runs has turned into a group that’s incredibly motivating for so many of us.
Over the course of the fall, members of the AAC placed highly in races all over the place. There were three of us in the 28 in Des Moines, including yours truly. Last weekend at The Good Life Halfsy, nine runners finished in the top 50.
I want to keep up with them, and I know others do too, but it never feels unhealthy. It feels fun. Exciting.
With my final week of recovery now on tap, I know I’ll be leaning on my friends — teammates? — as 2023 comes to a close. Big things are on tap for 2024.
I’ll be out there, with my AAC singlet.
Including our brand new singlets! Coming soon to a race near you.
Another good read. Just like each individual race, each recovery, each day is its own thing. Way to find a change in scenery with your AAC Team to end this recovery and get you ready for the NEXT.