Friday, November 07, 2008

Syncopation

In music, syncopation includes a variety of rhythms which are in some way
unexpected in that they deviate from the strict succession of regularly spaced
strong and weak beats in a meter (pulse). These include a stress on a normally
unstressed beat or a rest where one would normally be stressed. "If a part of
the measure that is usually unstressed is accented, the rhythm is considered to
be syncopated."

Since I know this term, did I just out myself from the band geek closet?

Really, I was very, very cool. I was the one band geek that was immensely popular. Honest. My imaginary friends and collection of unfortunately located pimples were a testament to this coolness. You might say that I was one of the pioneering RBF’s before there was blogs…or internet…or household computers. The RBF’s existed in my head. And I was their king.

This entry isn’t about band or my childhood syncopated pimple pattern. I believe we’ve covered engorged pores here ad nauseum. Today, it’s about running. Syncopated running. As always happens after a marathon, I devolve into a slothful, gluttonous orgy of rest and sugary food. When I finally get back out on the road, it takes some time to get back into the smooth, steady rhythm of running. My steps are awkward. My mile splits are erratic. Basically, I’m out of sync (i.e. syncopated).

Now, I’ll take syncopation over constipation any day. But, really, there was no reason to bring up constipation here other than a cheap, loose rhyme. Since I’ve covered zits and poop now, let’s see if I can work in boogers and vomit at some point and really not act my age. Just because I’m officially closer to applying for my AARP card than being in high school does not mean Adult Onset Maturity has set in.

Do you ever feel out of step with your normal stride? Something’s not right. I still have a lingering hamstring pain from the marathon. I’m sure I’m carrying around an extra 5 lbs worth of bite size Snickers and Three Musketeers pilfered from the kids’ Halloween bags. Maybe this is knocking me off stride just a bit. My training mile splits are about the same but it’s taking a lot more huffing and puffing to knock out that 3 miler than it did just a few weeks ago. Perhaps, post marathon 3 miles = pre-marathon peak training 16 miles? Is that normal runner’s math?

For kicks and giggles, I did 2x800 at the local track last night. Both 800’s were at 2:46. Okay, I’ll take that. But it sure would have been nice not to feel like puking all over lane 8 and wiping my chin spittle with the High School Track Records banner hanging precariously within arms reach.

I’m sure things will be back to normal after a few more runs or so. I won’t be that goofy, syncopated, red faced, air hogging runner that children are pointing and laughing at from passing cars. I’ll shed the syncopation for the smooth, steady pace of a metronome. Children will once again look upon me in wonder and amazement. ‘Mommy, mommy, look at the expected, rhythmic, non-syncopated beat of that majestic runner’s pace’. I can hear the awe in the little booger eaters voices already.

I haven’t decided on a theme for this fall/winter. I had my Summer of Speed. The Fall of Fast seems redundant. The Winter of Whiz could be mistaken for things other than speed. Maybe this will be the Season of No Theme.

Without being tied to a training plan, the next two months will find me attempting to build speed again at a distance of 10 miles and under. I consider this my base building time. Shorten the distances. Maximize the speed. When another marathon approaches, I’ll just need to build from the base of 10 miles. Prepare yourself for a steady diet of 800 split times and limbo runs again in future posts.

First, however, I need to conquer the syncopation. Like a true, strict Carmelite monk, I find the best way to knock myself back into rhythm is through a form of running self-flagellation. I’ll hit some 800’s. Hard. Every lap around the track is a whip strike to the back. I will pay for my sinful two week exile from training.

Before long, I’ll be back in rhythm.

And, probably, pretty pissed at llama’s again.

Happy trails.

23 comments:

Vava said...

Booger eaters! nice.

My winter will be spent trying to strengthen my legs, though I can't come up with a catchy title for it... Good luck on finding your rhythm, and avoiding llamas!

C said...

I feel that way now and I'm still in training mode. This does not bode well.

Out of curiosity, what instrument did you play?

Kristina said...

If you continue with this pattern you could call it the Winter of WTF?

Turi Becker said...

Fall of Fast? Are you going to do one of those airitarian diets? At least we won't have to be subjected the the Fall of Fart Jokes...

Sarah said...

Can you please teach my dog syncopation? Today I had 40 pounds of craziness pulling my run left and right - followed by me trying to drag the 40 pounds away from something it smelled. Worst run ever.

Anonymous said...

see, sycnopation in dance takes talent. you should have related yourself to a dancer, and then you could pretend like you INTENDED the syncopation. yeah. that's right. maybe i LIKE puking all over lane 8. it's part of my syncopation plan.

Unknown said...

There is such a thing as 'Adult Onset Maturity?'

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Unknown said...

I would love to read a llama themed post. I think that has been lacking.

Vava said...

Re: your comment on my blog (thanks) I must admit that I've cleared two gut busting hurdles already, with one to go, since Canadian Thanksgiving came and went in early October. Good luck on the last two obstacles in your personal dietary steeplechase!

tfh said...

I don't know anything about running marathons, and therefore have not experienced post-marathon lack of syncopation, but this entry just made me feel incredibly good about my strategy of running a bunch of 10 mile races before embarking upon training for my marathon. Yes. Because now it is officially a strategy, not an accident.

(Did you play the trombone? The flute? I started off with oboe, downgraded to saxophone, and finally chose trumpet since it had the fewest keys.)

joyRuN said...

You? Out of sync?

(gasp)

Maybe you need to start puffing out your chest again. It might add the rhythm back to your gait.

Viv said...

Maybe it is just me, but I like the Winter of Whiz...

This whole post I could just think of this medial condition my sister has called syncope. Which basicly same as the candy off balance thing.

Spartan7 said...

You made me pull out the dictonary way too many times this post. Therefore, I believe, you played some type of woodwinds in band.

Very interresting use of words, dude!

Anonymous said...

So that explains it! 3 miles post marathon equals 16 miles at peak. So that's why my 6 miler kicked my butt the other day. Thanks for making it all clear for me now! :o)

Ms. V. said...

Do you ever feel out of step with your normal stride?

Um. Yes. Hell yes.

Great post. How about just relaxing a bit? Aren't you the one who hurt himself moving his chair, or was that Viper...


By the way, your word is *chingi*, which I think is a cussword in Spanish. Thanks for that...

Marci said...

I like this post, there is always a period after a race where you don't feel in sync.
Those are speedy splits! LOL winter of whiz!! Have a great weekend.

AddictedToEndorphins said...

If you figure out how to get back in sync, let me know!!!! It's been over a month. I'm sure I'm not normal. (but very uncoordinated)

RunToTheFinish said...

Sounds like Winter of Weenie to me..wait no no that's not it. Very nice on working in so many bodily functions, I feel ...the need for a shower.

sRod said...

You read my mind! I don't like this whole running aimlessly business. I can't wait until January to start training again. Until then, I'll have to settle for sporatic gym visits and three-quarter-assed runs.

BTW, my word verification word is "ovenesse." Sounds like it should be a word, like "I read the receipe, but it was too full of ovenesse for me to understand."

Unknown said...

You could have the Fall of Freedom if you don't have any races coming up.

Arron said...

this one time at band camp....

and i set a PR this holloween by consuming 22 mini snickers. top that. later.

jen said...

I find myself out-of and in sync about every other run these days. It's annoying. Good luck finding your rhythm.

Winter of Winning? Whining? Winging it? Just a couple of ideas.

Stuart said...

Damn those 800s were fast!

I am obvioulsy out of sync!