Let Your Light Shine

For my team:

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within."

--Elisabeth Kuber-Ross (Psychiatrist, 5 Stages of Grief)

As we work on our leadership skills to become a better unit, remember that it is important to have confidence in our abilities, so that others will want to follow our path. I love this quote for many reasons. In my opinion, stained glass is the most beautiful when there is just a flickering of light behind it... like the light in your heart and soul. Be proud of who you are and what you do.

You all do amazing things--believe in YOU--so others can too.

Rollercoaster Week

Well the past week has come and gone. Not without it's own ups and downs however. I had a feeling this last week was going to be a little tough, but I wasn't sure how or why. For all the runners out there, maybe you can empathize as the first three days of the week I was plagued with all kinds of not fun intestinal discomfort. It's always interesting when stuff like this happens... like what did I do to you small intestine?! I've been eating the same foods that I've consumed thus far--what gives!? Needless to say... it made running hmm... a little more "exciting" some days.

However, I beat whatever was trying to bring me down! Next step was tackling the Yasso 800 workout. I might as well of had IBS... that's how nervous this workout makes me. Why you ask? Well, I guess I put some weight on it. For those who are unfamiliar with the "Yasso 800's," it's a workout designed by legend Bart Yasso, that has been deemed a fairly good predictor of your marathon performance.

Before I continue, I will say, that no, this workout is not a sure fire predictor of your marathon performance. If you google the workout, there will be a lot of haters out there that have too much time on their hands, so they blog or comment on how worthless this is as a marathon predictor workout. What I'll say, is it's pretty good, and probably just as good as any workout one of these people has deemed valuable at predicting marathon performance. At the end of the day, it all depends on the person. In my experience, it has been fairly close at predicting performance--but (if training goes well) I usually race better than the workout predicts.

So here's how it works. You do 8-10x 800. The pace you are able to complete these in is the equivalent in hours and minutes to your marathon time (with some give on either side). So for example, my target is 3:10. So if I can run the 800's at 3:10, there is a good chance I will run near a 3:10 marathon. For this reason, the workout scares me--because it gives you an inkling of where I'm at in training and how much further I need to go.

Here comes the up of the week. One of my former athletes, Joanne, joined me for this workout. Yes, she is just that good to just 'pop' in and join me. And then drill me. It was awesome. It was hard. There was a lot phlegm involved. Running with Joanne really made me miss being part of a team. I also realized how much harder I could work if I had people to push me---it's been a long time since I've done workouts with a group. By the 8th rep, Joanne embraced the role of the coach and encouraging me on--to a 3:09 (as she led). I can't thank her enough for helping me work through a tough workout to build my confidence. Now I need to find a group...so I can rediscover those fast twitch muscles I had in grade school and high school as a 200m runner... ah... so long ago...

By week end, I was ready to put in a big run. Definitely sore from the week, I chose an 'easy' long run route, that could be viewed as mentally challenging or engaging--depending on the perspective. Due to the recent snow and general nastiness that returned to South Bend I ran from campus--a 6 mile loop, repeated three times. Not exactly exciting but it works. The 18 miler pushed me to 57 miles for the week. Still walking--always a good sign :)

7 weeks until Beantown.

She paved the way...

It's incredible to think how far women have come... but how far we still have to go... if I were to pick one woman from the history of female racing that I would love to meet, it would be Joan Benoit. What she has done for the sport, for women, and just as a human being, is remarkable. It is amazing to think that I was two years old when they ran the first Women's Olympic Marathon. It would have been incredible to watch. If you want to see something truly fabulous, check out the video.

Whoa! We're half way there....

Well today marks the half way point.. 8 weeks down. 8 weeks to go. It's been interesting so far. For the most part I feel good about the training. I'm getting to the point of training though that I know the doubts are going to start creeping in my mind. It's the time of training where you are far enough out that there is still a lot to put in the legs...but it feels close enough that you wonder how you'll ever do what you planned and hoped for based on where you are currently. Maybe being conscious of this period of doubt will be enough to get me through it. This past weekend's long run was not ideal---although I should just be happy with it, I'm not.

Running along the lakeshore in Chicago was great.... as long as you were headed south. Too bad I went south for the first half. The second half into the wind was brutal and I'm pretty sure I lost my face somewhere along the way. I had to pee the entire time---hello Chicago! there are millions of runners--no bathrooms at all in the winter!? As any runner knows, having a full tank for 2+ hours is hmmm... NOT FUN. Ahhh well...

After coming down in mileage last week, I'm bumping up to 60 (hopefully) this week. The first of my Yasso 800's workout comes this week too, which should let me know how much trouble I'm in---or how on course I am so far. I've laid out the meals for the week, which should cover the enormous appetitie that will come with the miles. And then it's a matter of finding the time and energy to get those miles in on top of my other commitments. It might be time for a massage after this week!

Redemption

So--not completing the workout was really eating at me. Ruining my day, which just is not acceptable. So after work I decided to give it another stab--outside though. Unbelievable. Went over to the track and just told myself, don't worry too much about the pace, if it's not as fast you want, let's just get through it.

So the workout was 4-5x2000 +3x200. I finished one repeat in the AM. Well last night, I made it through the first repeat and it felt good. It felt much easier than it did in the morning...so I said, let's just see if I can get a couple more. Ended up doing 3, total of 4 although not at once :(  During the last one as I clicked off the laps and mentally checked my progression through the repeat...20%....40%.... if it were easy everyone would do it Jackie. 70%...This is nothing, lap and a half. 90%...Done. It was SO mentally gratifying. I probably could have gone for the 4th (or 5th) but since it's my 'recovery' week and the plan calls for going on the shorter side of mileage, I decided I would take it.

The 200's just reiterate that even distance runners have butts... and they help you find them. Which I do feel today. I'm pretty sure it was a combination of my stubbornness and frustration that called me back to the workout--which is new for me. I feel like last year I would have conceded and then been frustrated until the next good workout. I'm all in.

"Never Quit. "Don't ever, ever quit.

Recognize that stopping now, regrouping to try a new approach isn't quitting.

If you quit you'll regret it forever."

~ Rudy Ruettiger

Looking forward to my 18 miler on Saturday. Planning to run along the lake front in Chicago. Biggest run yet... so I'm hoping it feels good. I've been mentally preparing for it this week. Maybe the next post will disclose what takes place in my head for 2.5 hours of solidarity... and how amazing it is..... All you crazies out there know what I'm talking about :)

Happy Weekend---February is flying by!

Fail

Attempted my workout this morning. Fail. Not sure why it was so hard but I couldn't get through it at all. Really frustrated right now. I'm hoping to give it another shot tonight, we'll see. I was really hoping this workout would go well. This is the first week of genuine 'marathon' training, aka the hard stuff starts coming out... and it sucked. Not a good feeling. Sixty days until Boston... need to re-group.

Call me a lucky girl

Monday's text exchange:

Matt:  Get your run in?
Me:    7 miles
Matt: Nice work... was that the plan?
Me:   45-60 minutes
Matt: Dead on.
Me:   Ya this week is recovery. I'm half way through
Matt: Amazing it's that close. I was just thinking about how it's just around the corner.
Me:   Scary.
Matt: Do you feel like your plan is getting you in the shape you need?
Me:   I feel more confident, less frustrated and in better shape than last time. Not sure if I'm faster yet.
         I need to make time for the extras: core, weights, etc
Matt: You're amazing. Keep it up. Can I help you make time? How much can you do of that stuff at home?

Everyone needs a cheerleader in their corner. With all of my crazy dreams and goals, I don't think I've ever been told 'no' or 'can't' by the people in my corner. It's amazing what someone else believing in you does for your confience.

My advice, if you want to go after something---go for it. First, believe in yourself... and then make sure you have the right people on your "team." There will always be days that are hard and it will seem like you just can't do it--that's when your team lifts you up and helps you through.

I'm one lucky girl... thanks for everyone who has been a part of my "team" over the years. It means more to me than you can imagine.