Accelerated Taper

I whipped out a 10 kilometer rowing session last night. Tonight I'm putting in an easy five mile run and with that, my countdown to Surf City on Sunday begins. Call it mini taper. I prefer accelerated taper. You know - normal taper for a marathon is three weeks. Since this is Half, I'll accelerate the process and do it in three days. (Hoo boy.)

After my run tonight, I'll need to get to some important tasks - like a Half Marathon play list. I had one, but I've not been having the best luck with mp3 players made by the company that named themselves after the Beatles' recording studio (despite what the official story is, they *did* get sued for copyright infringement). In the past three months I've been through two 3rd generation Shuffles and 3 5th generation Nanos. I'll take responsibility for the shuffles - one was a straight out loss. But these Nanos? I've had two where the lock buttons stick in the "lock" position (meaning you can't even turn the things on and off), and the third one (which I've had for all of 2 days) does nothing but reboot. The Apple Genius Bar and I are becoming BFFs, and I'm starting to get perturbed. Anyone else having these problems?

Oh well. Enough ranting for a while. I've got an appointment at the Genius Bar I need to get to.....

Today's Rant - "Doing It"

I'll be back on the trails here in Orange County today. On the schedule is an eight mile general aerobic run with 10 100 yard stride outs. I'm sure I'll end up choosing the CDM to Crystal Cove route again. This has evolved into my favorite route - despite running on a sidewalk on a busy road for a short distance, the varied terrain and wonderful views make it a beautiful run.

I'm finding that these eight to ten mile runs are getting easier and easier. Sometimes I feel that I'm not running very fast, but I think the increased aerobic base is starting to have it's benefits. This past weekend, I bettered my 10K PR by 32 seconds even though I started out tired. That can only be explained by being able to run farther faster and by carrying less weight when I am running. There was a comment posted yesterday about me mentioning an "easy" 14 mile run. Well - to be sure - 14 miles *is not* easy. But, I am finding that it no longer intimidates me the way 14 miles did a year ago. I know that I can go 14 to 16 miles without too many problems. I'll need a nap, and I'll be sore the next day, but my confidence to accomplish a run of that distance is way up.

And now the title of today's post "Doing It". A tweet from runkerrierun really got me thinking:

"All my old friends want me 2 help them lose weight. I write it all down & spend the time & then they don't do it."

Well, folks, I'm proof that if you "do it", it will happen! I am amazed at what I've been able to accomplish. I am amazed that race after race I go out and set new PRs. I am amazed that 14 miles is doable and 16 miles is well within my reach. I am amazed that I've lost over 45 pounds.

I got here by "doing it". Not by making a lot of excuses on why I can't. Or why I shouldn't. Or why the plan is wrong or why I know more than Hal Higdon or Pete Pfitzinger or Jack Daniels. It's having the trust in those far wiser than me that know what they are doing when they put a training plan together.

Start trusting your plan. If you are injured - take the weeks or months off and get better. If you are tired - take a day off. If you had a bad run - get over it. Close the book on that one - learn what you didn't do right, fix it, and then carry on with the plan. All good plans have the flexibility to allow you to do that. Have the patience to let things happen. But most important - trust. Trust those who know what they are doing. They have planned the work using years of experience with thousands of athletes. Now - it's up to you to stop doubting and work the plan.

(Rant is now over. Back into my hole.)