Running Through Life

TNT Wednesday track practice was yesterday. On Wednesday. Today is Thursday. The day after Wednesday. Ok, now that I have taught you some of the weekdays and their generally accepted order, back to the post.

It was hot (80 degrees) and humid (69%). I'm not lying. Go to weather.com and use a zip code of 61801 and look it up. The track was busy.

Another track club

A group of young marines

A group of even younger high school kids

A group of older adults

A few individuals as well

The usually crowd was there for TNT. We decided on 3 x1200m with 2-3 minutes recovery rest. I and JG took off at our normal 8 minute pace and ran the first two 1200s aound 5.53 - 5.54. PJ and KS were slightly behind and both ran great. KS pushed his first two hard. PJ couldn't count laps and made the middle 1200 a 1600. She must have missed the lap counting day at school.

JG has been having a few IT band issues and it seems to be geting worse. I feel for her because she is training for a marathon in October and is really gunning for it. She has been pushing all of her runs hard. Makes me a little proud, I have to admit, knowing that I have had a little part in her training. I think I have pushed her at the track workouts and gave her some encouragement in her long runs.

Say it with me internet people - "Bad, bad IT band. Straighten your lame-ass muscle out and let her run free. Free like a kid with no worries."

Hope it feels better now JG.

So after track, I was bad. I did go for a beer. But now for the bragging part. I got an email at 4:21 am. When I saw that it was from Chicago, I thought, well at least they are telling all of us who is going. So I did not look at it. I got up, showered, dressed and ate. I had to know though - wait you have no idea what I am talking about.

This was the email telling us who is going to each of the 4 wonderful TNT marathon events for the winter season. We have -

St. Petersburg Half

Honolulu marathon

Disney half and full

RNR Phoenix half and full

Yes, this was that email. And to be quite honest there have been a lot of changes in the way TNT operates here in the Land of Lincoln. changes that a lot of us alums, coaches and mentors aren't quite happy or sure of. Myself included. There has been a lot of 'constructive' criticism ging on. But apparently they have taken it all as constructive.

This email at 4.21am told me that I had been chosen to be a traveling coach at one of the events.

Yes, I, Coach Mike, person of great rapport with all animals, wannabe marathoner has become a Chosen One.

I have been chosen to be the on-course coach for (drum roll please - ok, stop making that drumming noise in your head now) (you know you were - don't deny it) the Disney Half marathon.

But wait, if call right now in the next 10 minutes - I aslo get to stay an extra day and become a "certified TNT coach". Taught by none other than the great running Jack Daniels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Daniels_(coach)). Not sure what certification gets me, but I bet it makes me better, which will be good for my TNT participants. The last training I went to in Chicago helped alot, I am sure this will help too.

So, now this means that I have to start training harder, more miles to accomadate this trip.

the beginning of the end

AD is still nursing a stress fracture on the side of her foot and took it pretty easy for her 6 mile run. SA showed up. She was actually in town for a change. Apparently her job sends her often but she has been a walker/runner for awhile and is doing fine. PW is doing good on his walk/jog routine to get in his time and mileage.

Everyone is looking good. I have high hopes for this group.

I only had 2 alum show up. Speedster AB, I mean AM, ran a 10k in 53minutes. Correct me if I am wrong butwasn't she complaining about being slow and not running for 3 or 4 months due to her wedding. If that is slow, I got to get her to do a marathon. I see a 3.30 in the girl.

JG came out for her 14 miler. Detroit in October will be her first marathon. I think Detroit needs warning. She is going to kick ass.

All in all it was a great TNT day. Again congrats to all and thanks for coming out.

So, in my news then, I got another 9 miles in and made it 15 for the week. Compared to 7.5 for the previous two weeks combined, I am calling that a good start back to running. I still havn't decided if I am going to race in October or not. I have had calls for both Indianapolis and Detroit. But don't know. Hotel prices scare me.

Hopefully next week will be bigger and better mileage. I am still doing my other workout as well. I have learned to new moves. I really hope this helps my inflexible flexibility and some core strenghtening.

the beginning of the end

Since I am coaching TNT now, I ran my intervals before them. It is really hot at 5pm. Scheduled run was 1000m, 2000m, 1000m, 1000m with 400m recovery. I was close to the scheduled time but slow on the last two 1000s.

I am the coach.

I will work them hard.

Nah. Scared ya didn't I?

Probably be like mile repeats for time. I want to set a baseline for them to see where they are starting at. Then I will pull a baseline later to se their progression.

After they are done, I'll do my workout -

warm up

1000m @ 4.59, 2000m @ 10.19, 1000m @ 4.59, 1000m @ 4.59

cool down

The intervals will be sperated with a 400m recovery jog.

We'll see how it goes. I haven't run since last Wednesday but it felt great last week to run. I suppose when you only run once a week you are well rested for it.

the beginning of the end

But I gave it the ole college try. It was ok. Didn't really bother me until the last two sets but I gutted it out. Glad I did.

Scheduled run - 3 x (2 x 1200m @ 6.02) with 2 min RI in between and 4 min RI in between sets.

Fast on set 2 - not sure what happened and I always try to make the last set quicker as well. Overall, I feel good. My hammy is a little sore - knew it would be.

Tomorrow is an unscheduled x-training day. I have to pick up 25 bales of straw to start stocking up for winter for goat bedding.

Well back to the grind and thanks for reading.

the beginning of the end