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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Step by Step

  (Bill's gonna put me back on his blacklist for posting this song, but that's probably where I belong anyway.)

My run focus is coming to an end. I have to admit, it was really manageable. I was really concerned about doing a run focus because of personal issues that took place at the end of Dec and in January. When you're dealing with family issues, anything can happen. On top of that, I had work issues that I was dealing with; in other words, if the workout didn't happen early in the morning.....it was going to be tough for me to get in. 

I really wanted to do a bike focus. This way, I could jump on the bike first thing in the morning and be done with it. I thought the run focus was going to be about hammering alot of miles and speed work. When I told my coach about my concerns, she said, "This is going to be unlike any run focus you have done". 

Right there. That's why I like her. She's a she. She knows how to talk to me. She's not intimidated by my strong personality. When I question her on things, she explains. But most of all, she doesn't "teach or lecture" she "shows". She coaches by doing. 

When I handed her my race schedule, she drew big RED X's through many of my races, "Nope. Nope. Nope. These races don't fit with our plan. " 

She hasn't steered me wrong yet. 

So, I went with it. I was nervous. and excited. I knew that I needed/wanted something different. 

She was right. During the crazy cold and snow, I found myself at the indoor soccer field doing drill work and strength workouts. My long runs weren't all that long but had various mixes of speedplay and running hard uphills thrown in the mix. Did I mention strength work? The best strength work I have ever done. All of my weaknesses were put on display in front of everyone at the gym on the ball and bosu....for everyone to see. (Don't even get me started on the myrtls).

But I got stronger....very fast.

And I got faster....very fast.

Now, I'm looking at the end of the run focus. My run focus ends on 3/2 with my final 5k of the race series. If you've been following along, you know that these 5ks....well, they haven't been all out efforts. They've been 5ks tucked into the middle of a long run, pacing, pacing, pacing, BOOM.

BUT on 3/2, my run focus ends with my final 5k of the season. A 5k meant to be run AS a 5k, all out effort, taking everything that I've learned and putting it together for one fast run. 

I have to admit, I'm crazy excited for the 5k, but at the same time. I'm a little sad to see the run focus end. Except for one little fact:



I FINALLY GET TO DO A BIKE FOCUS.

......to be continued