Routines And Breaking Them

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday. Part of me is exhausted and the other part is wide awake. Excitement of a new job, new (kind of) city, new routines have me smiling. Speaking of routines, I had another training session with Matt tonight. There is no routine with him other than challenging me. My attitude is that I'm only cheating myself if I don't do what he instructs me to do. Truth is that I do feel stronger --- especially my obliques and my hamstrings. And while I'm not running as much as I should be the cross-training and intervals on the stairs, bike, and rowing machine that Matt has me doing are making the runs I actually do much more productive.

The last time I trained for a half marathon I was too methodical and put too much pressure on myself. As a result, I often left out important things like making sure that the muscles that were so important to running a half marathon were properly trained and rested --- because I was running too much. I wasn't focused on the big picture. Then came injuries and you know the rest. This time I'm committed to a more holistic approach. I'll get my mileage in but I'm not going to run more than 3 days a week and I'm going to pay attention to cross-training, hydration, and nutrition throughout it all. Sure I have a time goal. But ultimately I care more about crossing the finish line injury free.

So this weekend I'm going to run 5 miles. I don't know whether it will be Saturday or Sunday. I don't know if I'll even wear my Garmin to time it. I'm going to enjoy the scenery of the 'burbs and the sunshine and music. I'll enjoy knowing that I'm stronger now because I'm not so regimented that I am forcing myself to follow a routine. I might not be fast, but I will be smiling. Then I'll rest so that on Monday night Matt can "beat me up" again.

Happy Birthday Liberdy

It's Liberdy's birthday today. In her honor Matt, my new trainer, beat the crap out of me tonight. It felt good. I liked the fact that Matt said that he knows with me he can dish out whatever and I will take it. I like pushing myself and challenging myself --- especially now that I truly know I'm capable of it. Liberdy got me to this point and I'll never forget that. I know she would have been beaming tonight as I did things I'd never been able to do before. She really would have loved the intervals that Matt had me do on stairs.

Matt is pushing me in a good way. Because I've known him since we were kids I trust him implicitly. Tonight I told him about my goal for Vegas. He didn't wince and he didn't say it wasn't possible. I know that he will do everything possible to get me ready. But the truth is that I have to believe the goal is possible and put in the time when no one else is watching. It's easy ton push myself when Liberdy is there or when Matt is there. Doing it when no one is watching is the hard part.

It's been a while

I'm sorry. I've been crazed. I know it's not an excuse but it is what it is. A lot has happened. First, I've relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin --- my hometown. I will always love New Orleans, but family comes first. I'm living in the suburbs, which is coincidentally amazing for running. But more about that in a subsequent post.....

I went to Chicago this weekend to watcgnmy friend Gen run the Chicago Rock N'Roll Half Marathon. I was supposed to run it with her but after the surgery in June that wasn't an option. It was so amazing to be there and see her do so well. My step mother asked me if it felt strange to watch and not run. The truth is that it wasn't. I was proud of her for doing so well but at the same time after my half marathon experience in Toronto I know that unless I'm in the physical shape to do it well than, for me, it's not worth it. I'll be ready for Vegas in December.

As a result of the move I had to say goodbye to Liberdy. Even though she won't be training me any more she will always be my trainer. I did start training here with a new trainer. I've known Matt since we were kids. He runs ultra marathons and is big into running. It's a good fit. I've had two sessions thus far and looking forward to my two sessions this week.

Gen ran the half with the method of run 4 minutes and walk 2 minutes. I tried it on my 3 mile run today. I didn't love it but I will try it again. I ran with my new CEP achilles brace. I did like that a lot.

I promise more consistent posts. Until my next run.