We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails (Dolly Parton)

~ Chocolaterunsjudy
Deb Runs

There are things I can’t force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.
— Denis Diderot

Adjust is the Wednesday word this week.

Running means constantly adjusting: adjusting to the weather, to the road, to how your body feels. Adjusting your training depending on what you’re training for.

I have most likely run my last half marathon for the year. If you’re really masochistic, you can read about it here. There’s the joke how do you know someone’s run a marathon? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you about it. Just insert “half” into that sentence.

So it’s time to adjust my running and have a little off season. Because I plan to train through the winter, something I really loathe, for a spring half marathon. Serious training will come all too soon.

Actually, I think this is the year I will finally run the Stockadeathon. And it will be a PR; I’ve never done a 15k.

An off season for me doesn’t mean I stop running — at least, hopefully it doesn’t. It means I adjust my running schedule: I run less mileage, maybe less days, and I don’t run as hard. Maybe some very short hill repeats, maybe some short speedwork, but probably no tempos.

If I run Stockadeathon, maybe I will run some tempos. A 15k isn’t a 5k, after all. It’s not double digits, but it’s close, so it deserves some respect. I’ll have to sit down and think about how to adjust a training schedule for it.

First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal: a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends: the wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.
— Aristotle

What do you adjust after you’e run your goal race?

21 thoughts on “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails (Dolly Parton)”

    1. I am not signed up for another half. Although my husband did agree to VA Beach, which is in March.Still haven’t actually signed up for it!

      I’ll try again later, but this morning your blog wasn’t posting my comment (happens sporadically). Great job! You know the heat will take it out of you.

      I’d rather deal with the wind than the heat!

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    1. That is a big adjustment. I always like to be signed up for the next one before I’ve run the current one, which is kind of a bad habit, especially as a person who struggles with injuries!

      But not this time. Pretty sure I know what my next will be & my husband is ok with it, but not yet signed up for it.

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  3. I have continued my running of 3-4 miles every other day or so. My long runs on the weekends will be shorter of course.

    Glad that you are doing the Stockade-athon. I love the course. Hope to see you there if not before.

    If the weather is ok, I plan to run at the Crossings next Thurs – Oct 20 (I have to shop at Trader Joe’s).

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    1. You mean the 22nd, right? That’s Thursday. I should be running by then. Actually, I’ll do some sort of long run this weekend.

      I haven’t actually signed up for Stockadeathon yet. Too busy relaxing. 🙂

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  5. My goal race is coming up in January, so ask me then, lol. If I’m healthy and can make it through the marathon there will not be much rest, no, no more marathons but I think after doing this it will make my half’s even more fun than they are now! I hope so because I sure have a lot planned! 🙂

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  6. Wow, if you are thinking of VA Beach in March you will see me! It’s a good race, too! But your question is a tough one — after working so hard for a big race it’s hard to know how much to pull back. Talk to me after November 14!

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  7. Well, you know I’m in a BIG adjustment period right now. I have lots of things I want to do as Winter is perfect running here in the deep south. But, it will all depend on how quickly I heal and then how I adjust my running after that. I’m afraid for a while I’ll be super afraid of running a lot of mileage.

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  8. 15k seems like a good goal.

    I was thinking of running the Hot Chocolate 15k in April in Philly. A strong possibility.

    Adjusting and running…the story of our lives….but one i will continue to adjust to!

    Enjoy your off- season….mine will start in early Dec. I am signed up for the Rehobeth Half the 1st weekend….it may be my last half. I am still debating if i am actually going stop running halfs-I will see how my body/knee feels throughout the off season.

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    1. How far away are you? It’s a really long drive for us and since we live in the northeast March is dicey.

      I definitely want to do it, but it’s going to depend on some outside factors I can’t control. I’ll probably sign up because you can defer it.

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  10. I’ve adjusted my running miles way down since Ragnar. The timing is perfect since I’m visiting my mom for the week. I’ve been running much shorter mileage, and enjoying totally relaxing walks!

    Love the Aristotle quote. Thanks for linking up!

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