Smoking Hot and Fast

Key Words: Chicago/Indy, Head Band Man, Whose Ear?
Word Count: 425
Likely Next Topic: Do they make a dri-fit suit?

As for my promise of Chicago travel plans, I'm still not sure what's going to happen. I will be in Auburn until the Friday before the run, which means I either need to get a Houston, Atlanta, to Chicago/Indy, to Houston set of flights, or fly back to Houston on Friday, only to hop on another plane to head to the Windy City. Details, details .... will hopefully know soon.

Today was speed work. Our coach, Head Band Man (I don't know his name, and I don't mean this moniker disparagingly; he's actually an excellent coach), said last week that we probably wouldn't be doing sprints this week, so I think that (and folks getting over the 15 miles) dulled attendance. Leon joined Jon and I though, and did some side running while we did 6 Yassos (6x800mx400m). Last week I tried to nail 4:15 over each 800, this week, I just wanted to run hard and accepted that my time would slow. The times were 3:56, 4:01, 4:01, 4:10, 4:17, 4:12. I got water after each hard part and allowed myself 30 seconds of walking at the start of each easy 400. I was pleased with my performance; I felt a lil' queasy at the end (I was running hard to pass some smuck in a red shirt who was cooling down), so I think I gave a good effort.

I'm trying to be brief(er) than yesterday, but I'll still leave you with a philosophical comment on the mental side of running. It's worth noting that at the start of the fifth repeat, which was more than last week, things suddenly got harder. Of course, they didn't, it was just in my head. When I misread my watch in repeat six and thought I had ran a very slow 39 second first 100m, I suddenly felt very winded; again, the brain working against the body. The way I broke down on last Saturday, and all this ill mental energy at the speed work has me thinking that I really need to spend some time getting my running head back on straight. Getting out there three or four times every week will help, and sprints, which give you many chances to doubt your ability to finish, should help too. I hope to run tomorrow, and I'm running with HoosierFIT on Saturday morning (Whose ear? Whose ear??) while in Indy. Back in the saddle again! Now, time for some glutamine :o)