Something Clicked

Sitting at lunch and realized that it had been forever since my last entry and it isn't like I haven't had anything to say, as I am sure my wife would attest to. Guess I am just not used to blogging and keeping up with it but I promise I will try to do better over the next few weeks as the half marathon gets closer.

 

This past month has brought me my share of ups and downs. I struggled with a cold that wouldn't go away and dealt with an Achilles that tried to tighten up and interfere with my training but I also had days where I accomplished things that when the coaches told me what they expected I was like "yeah right". One of those experiences came this past week like when we did mile repeats x 6 and I had to complete each at 7:19 as the coaches want us to work on consistency. I ran the first in 7:12 which as I was told was too quick so I took my required rest in between and began my second and came in at 7:21 which left me a little disappointed as I thought I hit it. As I started out on the third of 6 it finally happened for me, I heard the beat inside of me that Ruthie Burke has been telling me for weeks existed and I came in right on time not just on that mile but for every mile after that. Not sure how to explain this other than to say suddenly everything from my breathing to my strides seemed in sync, it was almost like I was on autopilot. Suddenly a workout I had been fearing since I first saw it posted in Training Peaks was now one of the highlights of my training. Combine that with the great 1':45" run I had on Riverside Drive (lots of rolling hills which I actually enjoyed) 2 days before that and I was on top of the world.

 

Even though I have been doing the work it wasn't until last week that something clicked and I finally felt/realized I was getting what the coaches wanted me to get out of this training. I mean I knew I was getting results as both my coaches and teammates had said things that indicated I was improving but I guess I didn't see it myself.

 

I still have many things to work on such as pushing myself harder when on individual runs and not drifting back into comfort zones but over these past few weeks I have learned that listening not only to my coaches but to my body will enable me to reach new heights never before imagined. I guess whoever said sometimes you have to step back to move forward knew what they were talking about.