Ryan Hall:
A Bad Case of the Mondays
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 14)
Posted July 31st, 2008 at 12:26 PM by Ryan Hall
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Ryan Hall
Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Ryan Hall as he begins his quest for Olympic gold! Check back every other Friday for Ryan’s latest entry at http://ryanhall.thefinalsprint.com/
I could write a whole book on the lessons I have learned from marathon training. I feel like every time I build up for a marathon I get a whole life’s worth of wisdom from just three grueling months of training. These past couple of weeks has been filled with ups and downs. One day I will be doing a 13-mile tempo run feeling strong and filled with energy. The very next day I will be doing close to two hours of running (split between two runs) and feel like I couldn’t take on a recreational jogger. Deena has routinely been dropping me on my easy runs, but its OK, I can take it, she is a bronze medalist after all.
This weekend was a big weekend for me. I ran a 13-mile tempo run (hard run) on Friday and then came back on Sunday with a grueling 2-½ hour long run. My long runs are usually very hard, but this one topped them all. I was working hard from the beginning, visualizing myself running in Beijing. It was easy to see myself there considering the 80-degree temperature we started in and 90-degree temperature we finished in. It was great to have Sara along on the bike for the last hour of the run. I always visualize her riding next to me when I am racing. It calms my spirit. When I finished I told Sara that I really hope the marathon doesn’t take 2 ½ hours in Beijing. But it was a great run for me to practice running hard for that duration. I feel very prepared for Beijing.
On Monday I was tired. After enjoying a casual run, and I do mean casual, I couldn’t keep my eyes upon till lunch. I crashed out for an hour nap before lunch and then tacked on an extra two hours that afternoon. Recovery is a huge part of marathon training and it isn’t all napping either. There is stretching, icing, massage, and proper nutrition that all go into proper recovery. Monday’s are the hardest days of the week for me; I just try and keep my sanity. After all that napping I did feel better on my afternoon run but once we hit the gym my energy was once again lagging. Sara just laughs at me in the gym on such days when I am pretty much useless. On Monday’s I just tell myself to make it through the day.
One thing that keeps me going even on the Mondays is the thought of the lives in Africa that I hope to change through my efforts. I am reading a book right now called The End of Poverty, and it has really opened my eyes to the underlying causes and possible solutions to some of the injustices in the world today. I have decided to commit my race in Beijing to the World Vision projects in Africa, and we’ve even made a new website that tells how you can get involved, ryanhall.org. Having this as a goal gets me out the door even on the most tiring Mondays.
I am always surprised when Tuesday rolls around and we head up to Lake Mary (9,000ft) to do an interval session and I actually feel good. I closed my last 800 meter repeat in 2:10, which I like to think of being worth at least 1:50 at sea level (I wish). Regardless it was good to get some snap back in my legs and set myself up well for the remainder of the week. My energy level feels much better today, Wednesday, and I feel ready to finish off the last really hard week of training before Beijing. Next week I travel to China so I will have to make some adjustments in my training. Then there will only be two weeks to go and the taper will begin.
I can’t wait to get over there. Not only because of the excitement of competing in the Olympics but also so I can run in shorts and no shirt again. For the past couple of weeks I have been running in black running pants and long sleeve shirts. Knowing that I am going to have to bundle up for the 80 degree afternoon sessions don’t not exactly make me feel like heading out the door but I know that it is really working to help prepare me for the heat and humidity in Beijing. I can already feel a notable difference when I am doing some hot weather running. I know that a lot of being successful in Beijing will have to do with the bodies ability to handle the conditions so I know that bundling up will be just as important as hitting those big workouts that we have scheduled week after week. It is going to be a battle out there in Beijing, not just against the competition but against the elements as well. And thankfully, the race isn’t on a Monday!
- Ryan
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Related Stories:
- Ryan Hall: The Countdown
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 12) - Ryan Hall: The Team
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 11) - Ryan Hall: Confidence
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #3) - Ryan Hall: Vision
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #2) - Ryan Hall: Perseverance
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #1)
Tags: elite athlete, elite athlete blog series, elite runner, motivation, Move a Million Miles for Ryan Hall, one world one dream, Ryan Hall, ryan hall blog, sara hall, support group, team running usa, team world vision, temp run, Terrence Mahon, tfs elite athlete blog series, the final sprint elite athlete blog series, thefinalsprint.com elite athlete blog series, track and field, world vision
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July 31st, 2008 at 12:42 pmRyan, I will wear your tshirt this week that I purchaed at the 2008 LA Marathon. I rode the bike challenge and the rider in front suddenly dropped. I ran over him. Then turned back to help. He had a heart attack and collapsed. EMT arrived and all was not well for the man. Done. But he was happy b 4 in front of me. The EMT’s said to me to keep on riding, to complete the course, that is what Hall would do. Your shirt was over my jearsey.
Hit the wall and knock it down!
July 31st, 2008 at 4:11 pmRyan,
best wishes for Beijing.
I have been living (and running) in China for many years and I can assure you that the conditions will be tough, very tough
the problem is not only running 2 hours at 80F, but that you will have to live for several days in those conditions, with crappy air quality and high humidity. So it is very likely that you can suffer from poor recovery from your training sessions and poor sleep.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:59 pmTake it easy once you land here, otherwise you might get too fatigued even before race day
(personally once I run 8/10 Miles, I feel as fatigued as running 15 Miles in better weather)
Wow, I know I’m dying on my runs when its 80 degrees and I’m just in shorts and a t-shirt! I always used to feel like I was the only one who had days where they just felt dead and to know a runner of your caliber has those days too makes me feel as though I’m not alone. I think it is such a selfless act that you are committing your race to World Vision projects. You are such an inspiration. Safe travels to China!
August 1st, 2008 at 1:10 amRyan,
Thanks for your incredible witness to God. The article in RW was awesome and inspiring. I will pray for you and your safe travels. God bless you.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:15 amRyan,
God will bless all your efforts. You are an incredible witness to Him. Just read the article on RW, and as a side note - please write your book on faith & running!!
Never stop running for Him. Praying for your success.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:32 amRyan,
August 1st, 2008 at 5:51 pmYou are an incredible inspiration!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!! I know you’ll have a great marathon!!
Ryan,
Just read the RW article. Great witness. I will be praying for your safety and successful witness to God’s glory in Beijing. I just started running this year and joined TWV for the Chicago Marathon. Thank you for the inspiration to keep up with the training.
God bless you.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 amI’ve been following your blog & Sara’s and would love to know what other 2008 Olympians have Christian testimonies that you know of? I’d love to be praying for them to be living for the Lord vibrantly in Beijing!
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pmRyan
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pmJust finished reading the Runner’s World magazine article as well as the “Brief Chat” online article and then on to your blog entry. As a worship pastor and a runner I can’t tell you what a joy and encouragement they all were to me. As a runner hearing of your training/race prep and the personal side to is inspiring. As a pastor hearing the stories from your faith journey have resonated deeply with me and I have been blessed. Praying with you and for you that you will continue to seek to bring Him glory in all that you do.
May you continue to run the race set before with your eye on the author and finisher of your faith.
Praying for you as you head to China. The RW article is great. I appreciate your willingness to be authentic in how you live you life. God bless you and Sara.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 pmWhat an inspiration you are. You will definitely be in my prayers and may God’s glory shine through you.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 amI really want to thank you for the inspiraion you have given me. I was so excited to find this link so that I could let you know how much you have effected me. I am a highschool xc/track athlete and have gained so much from reading these blogs and watching your interviews. It is admirable how you always remember to give God the glory. My parents ordered me your shirt and gave it to me right before the state meet this spring. It is now my favorite and I will definatly wear it during the olympics. I wish you the chance to run to your best ability in Beijing, I can’t think of anyone who is more able to represent our country.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pmRyan, You are in inspiration to everyone in Big Bear! God Bless You in your efforts, not just at the Olympics, but in everything you do.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:06 amThank you for your willing heart to serve God, Ryan! I will pray for your coming training. Our security is in God alone, and I am inspired by your confident hope in Him and in your perseverance to be His servant on the world-stage.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:25 amRyan,Sara and the rest of the Hall family.
The Carlisle family wishes you good luck and thank you for the wonderful time we had at your send off. The prayers continue for your safety and well being.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:12 amBlessings to all,
Bob, Patrice and Preston
Dear Ryan,
August 6th, 2008 at 10:25 pmI hope you have a good run. One of the things I’ve learned in marathons is time is a relative thing. My team (Achilles)was humored when we read your blog about hoping it doesn’t take 2 1/2 hours to finish the Olympics. We saw you in NY at ING marathon - incredible. My finish time at NY was 7:45. Our group goal is
Dear Ryan,
I hope you have a really good run at the olympics. I live in the uk and have been inspired by your great achievements throughout your career so far and wish you all the best in running the marathon. I wish England had an athlete of your quality because we lack very much in distances events in the uk.
Iv just turned 19 and im coached by eammon martin (previous winner of the london marathon 1993),training and commitment to running hopefully will give me a place in the olympics some day.
Know we all no that beating the kenyan runners is possible and you’ve shown us it can be done.
Good luck in beijing
August 7th, 2008 at 7:21 amGod bless
Paul
Ryan,
August 7th, 2008 at 8:33 pmPraise God out there- every step of the race & in training and everything will work out perfectly!!
Praying for you and can’t wait for the big day! Go get em!!
tom
Ryan,
August 8th, 2008 at 4:40 pmPing and I are praying for you these next few weeks! We are so encouraged to hear your efforts and all the glory given to our Father in heaven. God Bless in Beijing!!
Thanks! Really amazing. I wish i could spend my time on writing articles…just have no time for it.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:32 amHello Ryan,
August 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pmI remember running with you in gym class back in eighth grade. Actually, I remember running far behind you in gym class. That experience was the first indicator that you were headed towards something big in your life. This notion was reaffirmed when I was thumbing through my sports illustrated magazine and came across an article about you dominating the olympic trials. I am very excited for what you have accomplished and I am looking forward to what you will accomplish in running, along with your humanitarian efforts. Anyway, I sort of meant this message to be a hello, and perhaps a way to get back in touch. Good luck to you old fishing buddy!!! My wife and I will be cheering you on.
RYAN,
August 9th, 2008 at 10:53 pmyou are ah-maz-ing!
i am a 16 year old from IL and i run xc for my high school.
you inspire me to be a better and faster runner and to build me faith stronger and stronger.
i really hope the best to you in beijing!
kick it into gear and fly!
you can do this, i know it.
i have faith in you!
LOVE!
Ryan- You have been a inspiration to us all, especially to my son Roy, who is running for Big Bear Track and X-Country. I’m not sure if you saw it or anyone pointed it out for you, but on your final lap at your send off on the 4th in Big Bear, one of the thunderhead clouds took the shape of a gigantic bear’s head facing west(towards China). A number of people saw it and felt it was very special. We held a Big Bear Medicine Wheel re-union at Pan Hot Springs this weekend and I spoke with Benny Labeau, a Shoshone medicine man and healer and told him of this and he said that it was your totem that will watch over you and yours in Beijing.
Gods speed,
August 10th, 2008 at 8:16 pmThe Bowling Family
Ryan.
I read the article in Runner’s World - I am impressed. You have amazing talent! Continue to let God shine in all you do!!! To God be the Glory!
August 10th, 2008 at 10:23 pmI watched you last year in NYC at the trials. I also watched the tragedy that happened to Ryan Shay that day. When you’re beginning to lose stamina during the latter part of the race, think about how he’s cheering you on . . . .
August 20th, 2008 at 11:17 amRyan, you are an amazing runner, and to finish in the top ten, basically in the world, is truly amazing to me, i have only been running for almost 2 years , and you are an inspiration to a whole lot of people, i even kicked in 700 + miles for ryan campaign,i can say that i love running as much as you , but my miles are in 8-9 minute range, watching some of your training runs at your 4:30-4:45 miles, are truly amazing, good luck in everything that you do , mark
August 26th, 2008 at 2:44 pm