let the fun times begin!

ok, is it wierd how I excited I was to see this in my email last night?

I think I was checking my email all weekend waiting for it.  The second I got it I opened it up and looked it over.  I had such a different feeling this time around.  Last January when I looked at  my plan, I was scared, intimidated and worried I wasnt going to be able to do it.  This time, I'm excited, I'm ready, and I cant wait to see how I improve and get stronger with this cycle.  My "base" is so much different than last time, so that makes me even more excited.  I feel like I can really get to work right away.  Of course, there are some intimidating workouts, but I feel so much stronger that I know I can do it.  My head is definetely in a different place, a better place.

This first block of training we are going to focus on getting my speed down, specificaly my 5k time.  So you will be seeing a lot of interval and track workouts.  This is similar to what we did last time too, except I wont have to try and run on the track in the dead of winter :)  We are also going to be working on figuring out my heart rate, using my easy days to not go above a certian number.  This means I will need to SLOW the F down!  This is an issue for me.  I'm getting much better, but I still have it in my head that faster = better (even on my easy days, which is stupid, thats how I hurt myself last fall), and that if I'm running "slow" people will think I'm some bump on a log that doesnt know how to run (even more stupid!).  So I have a feeling this will teach me some very valuable lessons, plus I totally trust Nichole and know that it will make me a better runner.  So I guess that means I will just have to run along and enjoy the scenery :)  I am also hoping that by having to force myself to slow it down, it will help with recovery time and on my harder days I'm able to push a little more - we'll see!

So what's my first workout of the plan you ask?  Oh, well, it's a tough one - REST DAY!  Ha!, funny to start it off that way, but I havent had a day off in about 10 days so my legs sure to appreciate it.

Oh!  I almost forgot, Jake and I will be making our way back up to Hayward/Cable, WI with Nichole,Nathan and their family for good ol' Musky Fest and the Chequamegon bike race.  Jake will be riding in the bike race again on Saturday the 22nd.  Then we will all be running the 5k on Sunday.  Maybe it will be my lucky day and I can shave off those pesky 7 seconds and finally get a time with the numbers 20 in front. 


So with that, let the games begin!  This is going to be a good summer :)

Also, Jake had the brilliant idea of getting a kiddy pool so when we get back from long runs and stuff we can just use that for an ice bath....I think its a genius idea, I'm sure our neighbors will disagree though...

yep, you'll have to know a secret handshake and everything

Have a great Monday friends!