So after my last speed training session with my husband, I was feeling disheartened. Maybe I wasn’t meant for speed training. Maybe I wasn’t meant to run a sub-two hour half. Maybe I was at my peak. I mean, it doesn’t feel like I couldn’t run faster except for when I tried to run faster! Frustrating!
The great thing about Steve is that he is a coach. As in, he can coach almost anyone in almost anything. He has this innate ability to speak to people in ways that they can hear. It’s possibly my favourite trait of his. Anyway, yesterday we headed to the track where he sprung a new work out on me. Instead of 200 metres and 400 metres, we started with 100 metres. He figured that telling me to run as fast as I could for a shorter distance was a better way to start. So I did. Four 100 metre intervals. As fast as I could.
Then we ran around the track (400 metres) once after were were done and my throat constricted and my lungs ripped out of my chest and my legs almost collapsed.
I felt absolutely horrible, dizzy and on the verge of vomiting after speed training. That is to say: this was the first time I did it right.
It hurt and it sucked and it was hard and my legs and butt are sore and tired today, but I did it and it was the first time I’ve ever done it that it hasn’t felt completely futile and gotten me down.
I think I’ll get in four more sessions before the Army Half, which is less than I had ideally planned, but hey, more than I’ve ever done before.
It’s like Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t – you’re right.”
Not only do I think, I now know I can.
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Hopefully we can connect on your upcoming visit to Ottawa. I’ll be doing the 5km at Army. Good luck with your speedwork sessions!