I have been looking for motivation and enthusiasm for months, but neither have really appeared. Heavy and disinterested, I still knew how important it was for me to get back to a more challenging and rewarding training schedule. And so I enlisted help from my friends Scott, George, Josh, Shawn, Zack, and now Mike. We have an 8-week training plan. Today is the end of week 1. This is what I've learned during week 1:
- Morning runs begin the day before. What you eat, drink, think, and plan for set the tone for tomorrow's run. Eat enough, but not too much. Lose the booze. Get some sleep. Put your clothes out and be ready to get out the door at the appointed time.
- Pace is made in the kitchen. The more body you have to move, the slower you will be.
- Your mind will try to talk you out of effort. Planning 3? The mind will tell you 2.75 is enough. Keep moving. Please the body by trusting it to get stronger even when the mind wants to take breaks.
- It's really hard to train alone. This weekend, I ran three runs alone. That is new to me. I don't like it. But I did those runs.
- Rolling hills are your friend! But they hurt like hell.
- Biking legs are not running legs. My glutes (butt cheeks) hurt like hell.
- Drink gallons of water.
- Cross train and shake up your weekly workout. Get off the plateau.
- Have a weekly nutrition goal. Change it up.
- Be confident.
- Remember, reach out, and offer love and friendship to all who have gotten you this far.
