Data Recovery

It’s exactly as it sounds – reboot, restart, recharge. All projects require that. Getting some distance from the project itself allows you to see it from a new perspective and make any necessary changes, not in the project but in your performance.

It was a tough week even though the runs were shorter. The recovery runs are meant to allow the body – and mind – recover from the intensity of going long-distance so you can run even further.

Let me put it this way: I was a little bit slower than I usually am when I go long-distance. But this was the time to mentally put my feet up while continuing with my training. An interesting paradox – relax and keep going? Is it possible? Why yes because…

1. You allow yourself to become your own coach. This takes introspection – and maturity.

2. You start to see, really see your own potential, exactly the way your coaches have always seen it.

3. You see how far you’ve already come.

I let myself do the run-walk without really fretting about time. Sure, I was watching my time, but I also though how nice it would be to get a full sports massage or else sit in the hot sauna afterwards. It’s the reward that follows the work. Believe me, I’m a glutton for punishment, and when I up my own stakes, I like a big payback.

8 Mile

Saturday’s run was supposed to be 8 miles long, but I missed my turnaround and did 9 miles instead. A blessing and a curse…

Halfway through my run, I started to tire out due to loss of electrolytes (I’ve been crosstraining and running on alternating days). My only comfort was a Cliff bar and even that wasn’t enough juice. I figured that I wasn’t properly hydrated because…I’ve been drinking a little too much coffee lately, and I do love me a good cup of coffee. The neighborhood coffeehouse, Philz located in Palo Alto certainly loves my business.

Outside of the physical exhaustion is the mental see-saw of going the extra mile, literally. I knew this was going to be a long run, and by the time the week was over, I would have covered 14 miles for the week. That just covers the runs.

Even before I started, I was searching for my mental ‘Get Out of Jail’ card that would make the run more challenging, more fun; it would be a better way to be my own personal coach and learn to temper my pace, ‘Slow down at this pass, pick up the tempo for the next 2 miles, and for God’s sake take a water break!’

Usually at the turnaround point, my mental focus changes. This always happens. My pace picks up, my mental focus sharpens, and I charge. This time, I couldn’t find it; my turnaround point and my mental focus.

I went a little bit further and finally found a ballard that indicated how far I really went. Bingo! I found it. The extra mile was the turnaround point that I was looking for. I accidently went the extra mile and knew that I had to dig down even deeper for the ride home; time out, time to refocus, get out the map, and chart a new course.

Just for running that extra mile, I decided to reward myself: a nice dinner plus dessert. This is a stretch coming from a reformed pseudo-vegetarian. While I normally don’t do this, a well-earned reward is a good thing.

Some people look for medals, accolades, what-not as the prize. I got a tres leches cake as the reward.

Six And The City

I’m a little impatient. It’s in my nature. Is this a bad thing to admit?

Last Saturday, I ran a total of 6 miles in The City. Now, this is a milestone because I’ve never ran that far before. Prior to my professional training, I didn’t always look forward to my runs. Short of being a bad date, I usually thought, “Are we there yet? Are we done? Let’s get this over with.”

Now, for someone who is actively training for a real date – the San Francisco Half Marathon – this is a not-so-positive attitude. Feelings of anticipation, excitement even, should be more prevalent. I should have something to look forward to.

Before I started training, I thought I knew my body well. I thought I knew all there is about running. How hard could it be to put one foot in front of the other? Well, my professional coaches proved me wrong. And to that, my runs in The City proved it.

I wasn’t prepared to run against strong headwinds or in the rain. Talk about performance anxiety! Even before the run ‘dates’ were done, there was something that my coaches would point out – at least to encourage a better performance next time.

I had to learn how to run again, this time the right way. While my coaches give me tips and pointers on improving my stride, I have to prove to myself that I’m learning to be a more compatible date. This relationship, after all has to work. It has to get me to July 25, the date of the marathon – and even beyond that.

Three times a week, The City is our mutual meeting place. Instead of dinner and a movie, it is a banana and a smoothie. Every date is like that, and I come prepared, fully dressed even with top running shoes. These are the Manolo Blahniks of the street.

The City shows me things every time we meet. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected – a turn in the weather, strong(er) headwinds, a hill at 6% grade, STAIRS, and occasional potholes or even a crowd of tourists – and to…love it. I come better prepared with a stronger attitude – and not to get this done.

Six in the The City has been the best thus far. The best part is, we have about 7 weeks together, 3x a week before the ultimate date on July 25th. Best part is no cigarettes needed…

Plus One

I’m a loner at least when I run.

My Plus One is usually a stopwatch. Admittedly, my runs usually turn into a ‘race’ between me and the passing seconds. Ironically, this is my downtime to unwind, so when my Zen-like frustration mounts, it’s Minus One for Christine. I’m used to this, since I figured all runners do this or want to improve in some measurable way, right?

Last week was a true Plus One moment: my cousin was kind enough to run – and pace me – last week. During the first mile, we caught up with each others’ lives, talked about planned vacations, while she gave me running tips on breath control, posture, etc. It was a wonderful run, at an investment of 9 minutes to my overall time.

But that 9 minute investment meant quality time to run with her dog, Champ, to run toward the Golden Gate Bridge, to watch the sunset together, and to simply enjoy each other’s company. Not even a stopwatch can beat that.

So imagine my surprise when I did an additional 2 miles at my next training session. The value of 9 additional minutes on a casual run gave me a Rate Of Return of 2 additional miles easy, all at a relaxed pace. I got the same results at last night’s training session, too.

I put away my stopwatch for good since I figured the only investment I could ever need is good company who will watch over me.

The One, I Won, and Day One

It’s usually The One thing that wakes us up, challenges us, or makes us ask ourselves the harder questions. For me that was the day I lost my job last fall. Suddenly my indefinite time-off was the wake-up call, the challenge, and the hard question, “Now what?”

Pink slip in hand, this was a defining moment; I would – and could – do exactly what I always wanted to do, only more of it: volunteer more, read more, spend more time with friends and family, visit The City more, and…run more. Working 50-60 hours a week guaranteed less. But now, a few months later, I’m lucky to still be doing ‘more.’

I Won a gift certificate for a 10-week professional training program for the San Francisco Half Marathon. Before that, running was a hobby, 2 to 3 miles at most every time. Now I’m looking at reviews for the latest running shoe technology, exchanging information about VO2 output, finding new recipes for protein smoothies, etc. This is now my new job, only I get paid in runner’s high. And my co-workers are 150 other runners in the same program.

Day One of the program started last Saturday at 9AM. My official ‘first day of work’ started with a 2 mile run along the Marina in San Francisco and ended with a light breakfast, including mimosas. Saturday’s take-home pay was a new pair of Asics. Imagine every workday being this way.

Can’t wait until Day Two.