Saying good-bye to rest week

I really enjoyed this rest week. It was the first time I didn't go entirely sloth. I worked towards some of my long term goals in other areas of life. I played with my grrls a little extra. I enjoyed listening to Grumpy play his guitar and sing at Open Mic night. I laughed with family.

All week long, I fretted about my run test on Saturday. I was supposed to go to the track and do it there. I prefer the treadmill to the track. At the track, you run around in circles and don't get any where. You look forward to getting some where but, it's right back where you started. Although on the treadmill you don't go any where either, there is never a time you think "When am I going to get there?"

I have never done a run test outside of a race. I worried whether I could push through the pain with out the added energy from others racing. But, this year is about going longer distances. To do that, I'm going to have to make friends with pain.

So, early Saturday morning, I dragged Grumpy down to the local high school track to watch. 

Looks peaceful - doesn't it?

I did my warm up to get the blood flowing and the legs moving. Grumpy kept asking "Are you done?" Finally, it was time for running as hard and steady as I could for 20 minutes. I started off sub 9 so, I backed it off a bit. I finished the first lap in about 2:45. That meant it was going to be about 10 laps total.

I finished the 2nd lap in about the same time. I was going faster than I had planned and a LOT faster than my last 5k. I still had 15 minutes to go. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep this pace up for another 8 laps! I knew if I didn't, coach would toss out the test and make me do it again. I drew strength from that. I was going finish this test correctly or puke trying.

I drew this up in response to my friend Molly's bike test storyboard. This was my internal dialog for laps 3 through 7.

Do Mirinda or Leanda have these thoughts?

Once I hit lap 8, I began to think I could do it. Coming down the final stretch, I put it all out there.

This hurt... bad. But, I learned I can do this. I know this pain and I own it. I won't have to wonder if I can do it. I've already done that.

Tomorrow starts the next build phase and an early peak. I don't know whether to have a drink or cry.