Okay so for those that don't know. I didn't orginally have a "blog name". I earned my blog name while in Wisconsin for the first annual WIBA weekend. IronWil gave it to me, and I thought it was cute.
I know I shouldn't let what individuals think about me or my training get to me but I have let the comments of one blogger get under my skin. Mostly because I don't believe them to be accurate at all. But now I think it is good because I think that I am going to have to prove something.
I think I can be fast and I can go long. I have friends that do all the time. And what is fast anyways? I think that a 6:22 trail 50K is pretty fast. And I am guessing the people that it took 8-10 hours really think that is fast. Speed is all relative. The fact that I have run a 3:27 marathon qualifies me as speedy in a lot of peoples books. Whereas I think women running under 3:10 are speedy.
The key to me doing both is this. I am not putting in high mileage. I am running 3 days per week and cross training on 2-3 of the other days. That is NOTHING in most really serious runners books. But when I am running I am focusing on quality. One day speed, one day tempo, one day endurance. I do honestly believe that I will get faster this year. I believe my 5k times will be faster than last year and I believe I can drop my marathon time below 3:25. I also believe that if I want to run long on the trails every weekend I can do it without it interfering with those goals.
I am not going to get burned out from a few ultra races. Go check out what Chad and Bad Ben are running mileage wise. I think they would laugh at my "measly" 25-30 MPW average. I know the guys in my club think its ridiculous. But you know what. This is what works for me. It doesn't have to work for anyone else. And that is the beauty of it.
So not that I have to justify what I am doing to anyone but that's the deal. I know that I am mentally tough enough to get faster while going long. Come race day I always turn it on and that isn't going to change. Yes I lost some ground training for a half ironman, then a marathon, and then a 50 miler. But my body has done that now and it is ready to adapt to it.
And if for some reason I don't get faster I don't think that means I have to change my blog name. I have been running since I was 12 and I have won or placed in my fair share of races. No one can take that away from me. And even if all "E-Speed" is is a reminder of the runner I used to be, I am keeping the name.
33 comments:
E-speed is cool and it fits you now and always.
Most of the time I think this virtual world is a great community - a place where we can discuss the things we have in common - for me: running where no one gets sick of talking about it. We encourage, we are concerned, we are supportive. At times, however we get that one comment or someone posts something on their own blog that feels like a direct insult.
Try not to let it get to you, Elizabeth. Those of us who have been following your blog for so long know how strong, fast, and smart you are. You have absolutely nothing to prove. Chin up!
You are super speedy in my book, Elizabeth! I luv your training regimen. Get at it!!
Hon - you are TONS faster than I could ever aspire to be. So, E-Speed, it is!
-Monica
Hey Friend,
An old post of yours (Why Running) really personifies how a lot of us feel about running. It's only more appropriate, because this post alone, that the name E-Speed is PERFECT for you!
You know who you run for. You know why you run. And you know why you strive to make each day better than the last.
I'm totally with you on the experiment thing. The FIRST training program is hard as CRAP (and I am taking a LOT more rest days than you are!). But what many people probably don't realize is that you are LOADED with SOLID base training! You would totally be spinning your wheels (haha!) in the off-season to continue building a killer base that you already have (hello, who burned up JFK!?). Plus life is an experiment and it would be boring if we stuck to what we know. You're being courageous and gutsy for trying something different--and sticking to it. Consistency and guts result in maturity, growth, a super huge engine, and yes, SPEED! :-)
And dude, you could totally smoke any of us out on the track!!!
Continue putting the rubber to the road (or the 'mill) and annihilate that marathon PR and keep doing your ultra thang! But only if you're having fun doing it. After all, it's a part of you.
Good luck and stay warm! Someday we'll meet each other on the other side of a 3:10 marathon perhaps.
-Steph
I love the E-speed name! Wish I had a cool nickname, even if it was J-Pokey. : ) Don't let the haters bring you down ever.
I think E-Speed fits you perfectly.
I think you are speedy and will only get faster!!
i see you as a Speedy McGigglepuddy, but that's more because of that jumping on the bed video. oh, you thought i'm old and therefore forgetful? no, still a great video.
but the key is that speed is still there.
and you know what? you can call yourself whatever you want. this is your blog! you can be e-speed or hot-bunz! and i'm not going to go after you with a thermometer to check your accuracy.
pah!
i can't run for 6, maybe 12 months. i'm not going to say that i'm not a runner. phkm! pardon the fwensh.
Don't let him get to you Elizabeth - you are fast, and you can go long and fast. I agree with D, most of the time this is a great place with lots of support. That's good. For those other occasional comments, let 'em slide. The ones I take to heart are from the bloggers I've been trading comments with that have earned my respect as a blogger, if I've never heard of them, then forget it.
just give me a name.
i know people, who know people.
i'll take care of this for you.
g.
p.s. i think you are a strong and versatile runner/triathlete, and am inspired by what you accomplish.
damn straight.
I was at WIBA, so the nickname fits you.
Fast is in the eyes of the beholder.
I think what ever works for you, you should stick with. You don't have to explain it to anybody.
You did awesome at the 50 miler, I would take that any day then a BQ race.
I think you are a Speedy Runner. I want to be a speedster just like you.
I like E-speed. You're speedy to me! :)
Thanks for the congratulations. I can't believe how humbled I felt by all the admiration my friends, family coworkers and fellow bloggers have been heaping on me. Even though many of them have done things just as amazing. :)
Thank you for some additional inspiration! :)
you'll always be e-speed to me. :)
How about E-Dance?
For the record, you are fast!
E-Speed forever! I always refer to you as E-Speed.
Thanks for the reminder about defining what "speed" truly is.
Hi Elizabeth. Your name is your name. Keep it!
I read the comment on the last post. I think that guy didn't mean to criticize you so much as point out that you are possibly not reaching your full potential because you aren't focusing your training on one kind of goal. I've been following your blog for some time and I've thought the same thing. That's not to say you aren't doing great at all! It's just to say if you wanted to run a sub-20 5k you'd have an easier time if you focused on that particular goal rather than the ultras and tris. On the other hand, you clearly have some talent in the ultra arena, so it's quite possible that you could be incredible there if you made that the sole focus of your training. And then of course, there's the issue of maintaining the triathalon training. If you focused your training on running 6-7 days a week you would likely see more improvement in your running than you would just running 3 days a week. You could use one training cycle for your 5k goal and then the next for tris and then the next couple for ultras. To me, it seems that trying to do them all at once is quite possibly limiting you.
Now, only you know what works best for you. If you are happy with what you're doing and you think that it will maximize your athletic potential, go for it!! I just thought I'd share my observations for whatever they're worth!
And keep the name no matter what!
Seriously ridiculous....don't let the clowns bother you.
Girl you are smoking fast out there.
Let me know if I need make a call to my boy Tony Soprano and we'll take care of this "issue" for you.
My only question is with the "it works for me" statement - regarding running 3 days a week and cross training/resting the other days.
Have you tried running 6-7 days a week?
If so, and it doesn't work, that's fine. But so many times I'll hear people say, "I can't..." when they really mean, "I don't want to..."
Also, keep in mind that the meaning of "high" mileage can change over time for an individual. In college I couldn't handle 55 MPW, now I rarely run less than that.
Some people really are clueless. You are speedy, and WELL BALANCED. Some people spend their whole lives following strict plans of what training they do each day, but what's the fun in that?? Dance if you want, yoga, bike, run, whatever!! Keeping it varied like you do TOTALLY works for you!
do they let you stop for coffee and bagels on Ultra-Marathons?
The name says something about your personality - it gives it character to those who haven't had the privilege to meet you in person. Your post was awesome! I just copied it to my desktop so I could read it over and over. It's not only inspirational, but there's a 'fighting spirit' to it. Thanks.
You are right-"fast" is a realtiv term. Some have the goal to get faster and faster - others just enjoy running for the sake of it with no other purpose than be with nature and ones thoughts. Training for Ultras means, doing high milages/week in a slow pace; otherwise (if you go to fast) you'll wear out. And you know waht? You can even get faster without any intervalls. Every mile you run pays back with benefit and helps increasing your VO² max!
I wish you luck and joy for your training - keep running on (egal, ob schnell oder langsam), Marcus
I thought E-speed was the definition of your speed. Your Speed. Your way. Your style.
After reading the comment in question, I think there maybe something lost in the translation.
By the way you are far speedier than I.
My speed is slow and steady or folk-speed...slooooowwww
I agree with most of the sentiments here and whatever you want to call yourself is cool with the rest of us. We think your speedy and I completely do not agree with the idea that you cannot run ultras and be fast at the same time. There are plenty of runners in the ultra community who prove that.
I have never once thought of you as anything other than SPEEDY. And you are so right that speed is a relative term. You are an amazing athlete - don't even THINK about changing your name!!
I have the same problem. It is easy to get caught up in the cult of speed, but no matter how much we train, 99.99999% of us are not going to the Olympics. (Or even gettign within reach of the qualifyign standards)
i love the espeed name! dont go changin your nickname OR who you are! we love you for it ALL! by the way, i'm on my way to kick that guy's ass. you da bomb girl!
Hi I'm x, we've never met, but I come here sometimes and we have mutual friends. Nice to see you.
I think if I could run as fast as you it would not be optional - people would, by requisite, have to involve the word "speed" in my name. If they didn't, like if they said, "thank you", I'd pause and say"...thank you..." and they'd sheepishly look to their feet and say "thank you mr. speed." And I'd say, "That's better." I suggest you demand it of your co-workers and family. Your cat who enjoys Harry Potter should have to work something akin to long "e" vowel sounds in his random mewling to indicate the word "speed". So says I.
Have you seen the Benji Durden Marathon plan? It fits your style. Three quality workouts per week: strength, lactate threshold pace, and long run. All other days are easy, rest, or cross-training.
Speedy in my book all day long. And anyone that gets a nick in Wisconsin is ok by me. :-)
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