So, it's been a little while since I last wrote anything here. Training for the Disneyland Half started about 7 weeks ago and has been...ummm...going. Galloway is a smart guy, but man is this program boring. I've followed it, almost day-for-day, only veering slightly off track when I had a race scheduled, or in the case of Sucha's extreme sickness a couple weeks ago. There isn't much change in it. I do the same amount of time on Tuesday and Thursday, with a varied distance or interval run on Saturday. Despite being bored, I was mentally okay with everything until a few weeks ago when I did two halfs 13 days apart. The Patriot Half took place on May 28th(Memorial Day) and even though I felt pretty good, my official time was depressingly slow. I was hoping to see a little bit of progress because I thought my training had been going fairly well. Two weeks later I ran the Wounded Warrior Half and, other than the weather being a tad uncooperative, everything was awesome....until the finish line where I was still 2:21 off my PR. More frustration and no real progress. On top of the overall frustration, I somehow bruised my ankle, making it sore enough to have to cut my hour workout to 20 minutes on the following Tuesday.
The events of the last 3 weeks lead me down a trail of self-doubt about my ability to complete the Dopey Challenge in January. I mean, if I'm having to cut an hour run short, 2 DAYS after a Half, how in the world am I going to finish a full the day following a half, 10k, and 5k. *insert sad self-pity dance here*
After some re-evaluation of my lack of progress, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and ask for help. I know, the words are shocking to me too; I actually asked for help. I came to the conclusion that in order to finish the Dopey Challenge, uninjured, I was going to need a professional to help me do it....not that Galloway isn't a professional, but you know what I mean.
Lucky for me, I have a friend from college who is just finishing up his PT licensing in Colorado. Insert Nico Medrano...or, as I call him, Nico...with a C... not really sure why I call him that. I think I met him when I was slightly intoxicated and since I tend to remember names better if I know how they are spelled I asked him to clarify if it was spelled with a K or a C. So, now I address him as Nico, with a C. Silly inebriated nights.
Anyways...
I am Nico with a C's first true client, and I trust him completely. He is an athlete...to the max. I've contacted him a few times in the past with random questions and he has always been so willing to answer anything I ask, but this time is for real. Train with a purpose is what I try to remind myself, and Nico with a C is having me train for a purpose. He helped me re-adjust my goals to better suit my ability and has really re-kindled my overall motivation. I'm excited again. My weeks won't consist of the same distance and the same amount of time. He's given me a well rounded program incorporating strength, endurance and flexibility, along with helping me with my nutrition and weight. The total package. I couldn't be more amped right now. Bring on the PRs!!!
Tomorrow is the beginning of me becoming the athlete I really can be. I'm not sure how many people would say they are excited about a Hill workout, but I am STOKED to do a hill workout tomorrow!
Let's do this!
