Well, I've made a change. A good change I would say. It came to me on the 3rd day of the 4 in 4 attempt that the amount of time it takes to get out and run multiple events and reach another star level within the Maniacs just doesn't make sense. This made me question what I really wanted out of my running. What do I want? The answer is simple. I want to run to my potential.
My life is busy. Teaching takes all the mental energy I have stored in my brain. I came to the decision that I really want someone to tell me what to do and when to do it. I want someone to make a schedule for me, help me with my nutrition while on the run, make sure I am running the pace I should be rather than taking it easy all the time and also make me feel like an athlete again.
I asked a dear friend about possibilites for a good coach and she pointed me towards Paul Dewitt. I definitely knew the name so I looked him up, sent him an e-mail and before I knew it I had a coach.
It's only week one, but yesterday I felt like an athlete again. A 20 minute tempo run yielded a 5k, which is a 6:26 pace. Paul had targeted my tempo pace at 6:25 and I was a bit nervous about the workout. I had negative thoughts about my ability to run that pace for 20 minutes, but remained positive. I went out too fast the first 2 miles, but I held on. After the cool down I was spent. It felt good!
I have targeted the Pacific Rim 24 hour run as my first goal race and am excited by the possibilities.
"Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training and some are not."George Sheehan
Friday, January 16, 2009
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21 comments:
Is this the pot calling the kettle black? Has hell frozen over? Will you no longer say "recovery is over-rated? Go long or go home?
I'm glad you have a plan and a coach. You really do have some untapped talent in the speed arena that you have been sacrificing to the multiple long runs. You will be sub-six min. pace when you go run your first 5K. What will upset you is those sub 5 guys.
Have fun on your new adventure. I'm coming down to Pac Rim to run a 50K after Chuckanut. Someone's got to do it!
Glad he whips your butt! And what's up about priorities post? Read mine?
20 minute 5k, that's fast in my book. I've never broken 21 and you're just getting started with Paul. Looking forward to reading about your training with the new coach.
Hey Rob, that's cool! Glad to hear you're feeling good and the coach is working out (or making you work out). I don't know when I'll see you, I guess at Pigtails. I'll be missing tomorrow's run to work on the baby shower I'm hosting in the afternoon. Have a good week!
I agree that teaching does require all your mental faculties! It's wise then to get yourself a coach. I often think it would be nice to have someone tell me what to do, but then I remember that I hate that.
You're right, teaching takes all the mental energy out of a person...
Someday, I think I might be interested in having someone telling me what to do. For right now, I like making my own schedule and figuring things out on my own.
That sounds like a great change - a coach to help you achieive your potential. :-)
Sounds great! I'm tentatively planning on counting laps at Pac Rim again this year. So maybe I'll see you (and the gang) there!
This seems very wise and very sound, Rob. Good for you. I think this will work well for you. Listen well to Paul, he'll have your best interests at heart.
Your post is also funny...I just walked in from my run and did much thinking about coaches and intented to blog later today on the subject. Ha!!
Way to go Rob on getting focused to reach your full potential. Good move on the coach to keep accountability and push you.
Look forward to following you in 09'
Hi Rob, I hope the coach works out well for you. I bet he'll keep you on the right track and help with the motivation when the going gets tough. Hey you wouldn't mind just updating your link to my new URL would you. Cheers.
Great idea about getting a coach. It is nice to have someone else tell you what to do. Turn off your brain and just go. Enjoy feeling like an athlete again. :)
great idea hope it works well for you......lots of benefits to having a coach to keep on top of everything
It sounds like a wise decision for you. A coach will really help you define your goals and stay focused on them. You do have a ton of racing potential. Have fun with it and good luck with the training.
Do what you gotta do and follow your heart. Good luck with your new goal and training. Maybe you can train me afterwards? See you at the next run!
rob,
you picked a great coach. with that, plain won't be a problem and if you can stay on course a fast time will be posted.
i will say, if you want to "race" pac rim, bring a counter so you don't have to stop at the table now and then. oh, don't get me wrong, the volunteers are fantastic. but let's face it, it is hard to write down a bunch of runners as they enter the tent. this is no fault to the volunteers. it is just hard to record that many folks each lap.
you will do great with a coach. (heck, you would do great without a coach.) does paul suggest cross training, nutrition, day of rest?, etc. just curious.
tom
Glad you found a coach you believe in. I have always been on the fence about one.
I'm sure you will be blasting your way through Ultra now.
Good for you! That sounds like something you will really enjoy. And that time for the tempo run is unbelievable - the possibilities are definitely endless. Keep it up!
5K in 20 minutes is really fast. To have a coach and/or following a program is a good way to achieve great performances.
My dad recommended me getting a coach but I just haven't had the heart to do it yet. I'll be excited to see your thoughts as you progress. And maybe one of these days we'll meet on those trails we keep talking about. :)
Congrats on getting a coach. I've toyed with the idea myself. I too like the do what I'm told mentality. The coach represents Discipline for me. I hope it works out well.
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