Full Moon Rising
Today, I spent 10 miles on the treadmill. Well, actually it was 9 miles; well, maybe more like 8.94, or something like that. In an effort to tire out the dog, I took her for an almost-1 mile run which consisted of enough starts and stops to make me puke, a mad dash up a tree (YES, UP A TREE) to chase a squirrel, and a literal tilt a-whirl off a sidewalk and into the street to avoid THREE large dogs coming in hot. My coach divided my workout into two areas of focus: running form in the 1/2 half; push the pace in the second. So done and done. I'm running the Rocky 10 mile race in Philly next Saturday. Ten miles isn't a very common distance for a race; I only have three prior races of this distance.
During my second half of today's workout, I maintained strong form, pushing the pace, while I worked on my mental game. 'Something' took me back to this time last year...
I don't know how it happened, but I was slowly coming out of a funk. I distinctly remember being moved by something. I decided that a meeting with my (former) coach was in order. We talked a bit about my depression, my weight gain, my everything-he'd-listen-to vomit, and my sudden urge to try to race again. I wanted to train for an upcoming half marathon, but I wanted it to be a great experience. I wanted to love the run, I wanted to chase my demons - not run from them, and I absolutely wanted to do it all for me. Just me. I trained with my brain; my body followed. I finished the race with all heart, blacking out the last 1/4 mile or so. I didn't put up my best time - that wasn't ever the plan; I crossed the line with tears of joy - an unintended consequence. Read all about it here.
Hmm, it's been almost a year. So this 'something' that lives in me keeps poking at the back of my head. This 'something' reminds me that I have more to give. This 'something' spoke to me today during a sweat fest in my pain cave. It's telling me that I need to go for it. Tomorrow is the beginning of a short taper week; as my body reaps the benefits of rest following a cycle of increased mileage, I'll build my mental game.
'Something' tells me it's going to be good. Watch out. I'm gonna get 'cha.
