Pep Talk.
Are you there, legs? It’s me. Barbara.
We need to talk.
I know you’re a little less than pleased with my behavior as of recently. Sure, I spent a solid five-six weeks giving my liver plenty of love and attention while you took a well deserved rest. But the time has come to find your rhythm once more. I understand you’re not thrilled that I’m already out pounding the pavement at arguably a speedier clip than most “standard” runs for the past 4 years. But the truth is, you’ve got plenty of speed hiding in those sturdy muscles down there, and it’s about damn time we put them to good use.
You can’t tell me you’re not happy with the 8:49 pace you held at the Hot Chocolate 5k in November. Or how comfortable and easy that 10:23 pace felt last night for those 4.4 miles and yet you felt the need to still hold back. You can hang onto a speedy clip--at least speedy by my standards--when you want to. And it’s about time we start wanting that more. This is not going to be the year where you accept that feel good participant ribbon everyone gets. It’s not about being lazy and backing off because you know you get a medal regardless of the time you cross. It’s time to start truly earning some respectable finish times. The ones you can be proud of. And working hard for them. Learning to push yourself when there's no finish line...just you getting lost to the sound of your feet hitting concrete and the tasting of the sweet winter air hitting your tongue with each stinging inhale.
Because this year, we’ve got goals to meet.
We need to talk.
I know you’re a little less than pleased with my behavior as of recently. Sure, I spent a solid five-six weeks giving my liver plenty of love and attention while you took a well deserved rest. But the time has come to find your rhythm once more. I understand you’re not thrilled that I’m already out pounding the pavement at arguably a speedier clip than most “standard” runs for the past 4 years. But the truth is, you’ve got plenty of speed hiding in those sturdy muscles down there, and it’s about damn time we put them to good use.
You can’t tell me you’re not happy with the 8:49 pace you held at the Hot Chocolate 5k in November. Or how comfortable and easy that 10:23 pace felt last night for those 4.4 miles and yet you felt the need to still hold back. You can hang onto a speedy clip--at least speedy by my standards--when you want to. And it’s about time we start wanting that more. This is not going to be the year where you accept that feel good participant ribbon everyone gets. It’s not about being lazy and backing off because you know you get a medal regardless of the time you cross. It’s time to start truly earning some respectable finish times. The ones you can be proud of. And working hard for them. Learning to push yourself when there's no finish line...just you getting lost to the sound of your feet hitting concrete and the tasting of the sweet winter air hitting your tongue with each stinging inhale.
Because this year, we’ve got goals to meet.
Time goals.
Especially for that half marathon distance you’ve got your eyes on this year. And you’re only going to get one, maybe two shots at it. So your ass (well...legs, the ass is fine in that non-cocky kind of way) better make it count.
Yes. It will likely hurt. Possibly bringing pain to my head and ego more than anything else. You may tremble as I’m heaving my lunch on the side of the track after laying down a sub-8:00 pace on a descending series of 400’s. And you may recoil in agony as I subject you to an ice bath worthy of a gitmo torture chamber.
The truth hurts.
Yes. It will likely hurt. Possibly bringing pain to my head and ego more than anything else. You may tremble as I’m heaving my lunch on the side of the track after laying down a sub-8:00 pace on a descending series of 400’s. And you may recoil in agony as I subject you to an ice bath worthy of a gitmo torture chamber.
The truth hurts.
And the truth is we can always go faster.
And so, we will do things, through awesomeness and through pain, to get to where we want to be. Or at least where I want us to be. With or without your cooperation, I am going to will us to a few select finish times I’ve got looming in this pretty little head of mine.
And so, we will do things, through awesomeness and through pain, to get to where we want to be. Or at least where I want us to be. With or without your cooperation, I am going to will us to a few select finish times I’ve got looming in this pretty little head of mine.
So pony up, legs. Be prepared to grab onto the heels of your speedy, gazelle-like friends and hold on for dear life. Enjoy being seduced by that evil, temptress of a foam roller for the next 16 weeks. Get ready to push some serious watts on the CompuTrainer. And suck it up in the weight room to hone in on all that untapped power and strength you’re afraid to unleash. You may not be able to walk any stairs the following day, but an extra set of squats and lunges certainly won't kill you. Plus it'll help you look more badass in a two-piece come summertime (and let's be honest...we need some help in that department).
I promise…you work with me and give me what I need to really unleash the beast and make April 11th a success, and I’ll take it easy on you for a little bit...
…well…
…at least until tri season hits full force in May.
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 9:01 PM
6 Camper Comments:
Wow. Your pep talk fired me up and I'm not a runner. Hope you do well with your endeavors.
This is my first comment on your blog. I am running the Go! Half as well with a time goal. We will rock it!
Love the Judy Blume like entry. No pain - no gain is what my HS track coach used to say
Crack me up! LOVED it.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
GO BIG OR STAY HOME! :))
Love it!
Hope you do well with your endeavors.
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