Baby Burn

Time: 6:00pm
Location: Eastside Track
People: Dee, Clemmie, Dave, Mandy, and Ruth
Weather: Cool, but definitely not cold
Workout: 1 mile MGP, 400 at 10k, 1 mile MGP
Comments: Since I've been feeling a little defeated the past week, Ruth adjusted my workout and boy, it made a huge difference. On the warm up to the track, I was having my same issues and all my mind could do was race all the what if's, should've's, and mantras. I stayed close, but was behind Dee and Clemmie as we took off to the track. Calves felt tight (my fault for not rolling), legs felt heavy... again. I kept telling myself it's mental, its mental, snap out, but kept in mind that normally it takes me 3-4 miles to warm up anyways so I needed to not look into how I was feeling yet and be over dramatic.

We get to the track and everyone is figuring out paces, when to flip around, etc. I was a little envious at Dee and Clemmie for doing the actual Burn workout, but I was relieved at the same time that Ruth had other plans for me. They took off, and I let them get about 50 meters ahead before I started. 1 mile MGP felt pushed, but thankfully I hit it, right on the dot. 8:47, PERFECT! My breathing was a little labored and I started thinking negatively, that my MGP shouldn't feel like this, and blah blah blah. Then I decided to just quit it. If this was mental, I need to fill my head with positive thoughts and so I started. The 400 meters at 10k directly proceeded the MGP, and I picked it up. It felt ok, and once I hit the 100 meter mark, I realized I was a second or two slow, but wow, I was running a sub 8:00 mile. No way in hell I could have done this on Wednesday when trying to run 10:44 was a struggle, so the positive thoughts started. I kept repeating, as corny as it sounds, "I can do this, I can do this!" Seeing Dee and Clemmie on the track helped. They reversed every 4 laps, so I was running towards them and their positive energy was felt every time I passed. I thought to myself, "They're doing it, I can do it." 1 mile back to MGP felt much better. It took me 200 meters to dial back into the rhythm, but I felt like I was back in my groove. 2nd mile at MGP was 8:41, 6 seconds too fast. Halle-freaking-liehja!!! I stopped, reported to Ruth and asked if I should repeat... and she told me no. "Really?? I feel better, I think I can do that again..." Ruth said, "Nope, you're done." "Alrighty then... I did it." It was a little wierd being done so early before everyone else, I'm soooo used to be the last one, especially on track workouts. So I hung out with Ruth while Dee and Clemmie finished.

They did AWESOME!! So inspiring to see friends do well. They completed 8 miles of the actual Burn workout, and would have done the full 10, but Dee had to get back for a call. I'm so proud of them. It's amazing how much I feed off other people's success, I hope this is a good thing. When Clemmie and Dee do well, it makes me happy and I want to be right there with them :)

Good job, guys! I heard all the southies rocked it. I'm looking forward to Saturday's run, no longer scared. I started taking my Iron pills, sleep will no longer be an issue (gonna make sure I let my body rest) and I've got the mental demons slayed. This is my race and I've worked too hard to become a whining baby. I've got this!!