I have completed my first week of the training schedule provided to me by my coaches and figured I should take a little time and share the experience. I will start off by saying the schedule is different than what I have done in the past to get ready for any race I have run. That said it should be known that when it came to running my only knowledge of what I needed to do was to put one foot in front of the other for a predetermined distance as fast as I could. My lack of knowledge was just one of the reasons I wanted to be selected to this team, I knew I had much to learn.
Looking at the schedule Sunday night I saw that our coaches had set up our schedule so that instead of running a specific distance we would be running for a set amount of time which for me I knew might be difficult. Not difficult because of the amount of time but more so for picking a route that would match that duration. You see, I am one of those runners that just goes out and plots their run as they go with the only criteria being that once I get back to the house or gym the run is done. Besides our runs the schedule also included yoga (something I had never done) and a 2 mile time trial on the schedule which I have to say worried me more than the yoga.
Monday called for an easy 40 minute run, which I decided to run downtown after work, as they wanted us to stay fresh for the time trial on Tuesday. I have to admit I did not sleep well Monday night as I thought about that time trial. Tuesday came and fittingly enough was gray and gloomy for most of the day. However as the time grew closer to me meeting the team and coaches at the University of Richmond track the clouds parted and the sun came out. The time trial wasn't as bad as I thought as I ran 15:35 though after I was done I knew I could have done better. Wednesday brought a day of rest which was good for me as it was my anniversary. Thursday morning came early though and I headed to Carytown Bicycle for yoga not knowing what I was in for. Let's just say that when the session was over I had found that which was going to kill me. Seriously though I have done many an exercise program in my life and never have I left one feeling as humbled as I did that day but I can definitely see the benefit of it and will now be adding it to my regular exercise regime. After yoga I immediately went out for what was supposed to be an easy 30 minute run that I turned into a 40 minute run. Friday and Saturday both called for a couple of 40 minutes runs though Fridays required me to push it a little harder than Saturday as Sunday was our first group run.
Sunday morning I got up and once again headed to Carytown Bicycle to meet the team and one of our coaches for the scheduled 1':10" minute run. Ruthie gave everyone some pointers and even talked about a route before setting us off to do the work, As we all took off I ended up in a group with Molly, Leigh, and Theresa and as we chatted and ran we ended up going past the discussed route and ended up making a new one on the fly. We stuck together for the first half of the run but eventually broke up into two groups, Molly & Leigh making up one with Theresa & I in the other. For me this is where things got interesting as I tried to keep pace with Theresa even though I knew she was a better runner than myself. I did well for most of it keeping her pretty close until we got back near the VCU campus and Monroe park where she pulled away. I know I thanked her once I got back and even later on Facebook but she really did push me to run/work harder than I thought I had me on a very humid day and as such I must thank her again.
I could go on (and maybe I will in another blog) about the people in this group and how they inspire and push me to do more than I thought I could but let's just say there are some pretty amazing people in this group. We may only be a week into this training schedule but if this week is anything like the first not only will I be a better runner but I will be a better person for the people I have had the opportunity to meet.
I can't believe that I almost forgot to mention that at the end of week one my legs are more tired (but strangely not sore) than I thought possible. I just hope they don't rebel.
Sunday morning I got up and once again headed to Carytown Bicycle to meet the team and one of our coaches for the scheduled 1':10" minute run. Ruthie gave everyone some pointers and even talked about a route before setting us off to do the work, As we all took off I ended up in a group with Molly, Leigh, and Theresa and as we chatted and ran we ended up going past the discussed route and ended up making a new one on the fly. We stuck together for the first half of the run but eventually broke up into two groups, Molly & Leigh making up one with Theresa & I in the other. For me this is where things got interesting as I tried to keep pace with Theresa even though I knew she was a better runner than myself. I did well for most of it keeping her pretty close until we got back near the VCU campus and Monroe park where she pulled away. I know I thanked her once I got back and even later on Facebook but she really did push me to run/work harder than I thought I had me on a very humid day and as such I must thank her again.
I could go on (and maybe I will in another blog) about the people in this group and how they inspire and push me to do more than I thought I could but let's just say there are some pretty amazing people in this group. We may only be a week into this training schedule but if this week is anything like the first not only will I be a better runner but I will be a better person for the people I have had the opportunity to meet.
I can't believe that I almost forgot to mention that at the end of week one my legs are more tired (but strangely not sore) than I thought possible. I just hope they don't rebel.
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