HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO YOU. May the road rise up to meet you ......
Today my workout homework was to do a long run, a 6-mile run. OF course last summer when I was training for the half, my long runs ranged from 6 to 13 miles on the weekend. Every week I went out in the 80-90 degree heat and ran my homework, and in August I completed my first half marathon. What jubilation I felt. I did it, I crossed the finish line, and I wanted to do another one, but at a faster pace, if only by 5 minutes. I told myself I would wait 3 or 4 months and start training again, but I have not been able to convince myself to begin that training so my longs have been between 6 and 7 for the past 6 months. I thought for sure I would have signed up for another ½ by now, but lots of things getting in my way, mostly ME!
I had great motivation last year, it was my first long distance run, I was running for Theofanis who has cancer, I wanted to see if in fact could I accomplish 13.1 miles, and yes I did. So now, it’s the numbers in my head….how much time do I need to dedicate to this new goal, can I go faster? Faster, it’s not a big deal to anyone but me. Does fast really matter? For some reason to me, it does. I just don’t like to do anything the same; it’s just got to be better than the last time. So today when my 6 miler was 4 minutes slower than my last one 2 weeks ago I started hanging my hat on that. Oh the terrible mind games we play with ourselves. Ok enough, in fact Coach Lisa said scientifically our bodies must work harder than normal in the heat to cool ourselves down. Here in Chicago we went from 40 to 65 in a matter of days, so my body had to adjust to that change. STOP the expectations, just go out and do the best! I did my best today. That matters so much.
Additionally, every run won’t be great or the same, every day won’t feel the same, but other times the run will feel magical. The goal, I think, is to focus on building each and every week and the base will grow. I trust Lisa- she has run 30 - 26.2’s and several ultras, setting many standing records and Lisa knows the score. Oh to be so fortunate to work with such an elite athlete. What a privilege it has been for me to learn the highest level of performance and building base from Lisa.
For the past 16 and half months Lisa has been teaching me about running form, she has worked with me on not allowing me to quit on myself and by golly Lisa has me doing intervals and tempo runs. I’m so proud of myself. I’m not braggin friends, I actually can’t believe I do these workouts that some runners would probably scoff at, and others would cry at. Doesn’t matter, I’m doing more than I ever did on the track! Impossible doesn’t exist, only possibilities. I’m looking forward to the future, even though my friend and role model, LISA MENNINGER is leaving town. Will I push like I have this past year, will I keep on keeping on? YES, I must because Lisa has taught me that if I respect myself I won’t quit!
6 miles today, 5 on Monday, 3 on Tuesday, 2 with weights on Thursday and something, something on Sunday. I’m feeling pretty good, but I have a long way to go so I’ll just KEEP ON!
Love and energy to you,
The Roadrunner
