My goal in the days preceding the new year is to revive some muscle memory, seeing as my runner's legs have been dormant for the better part of a year, and establish a routine. Luckily it's like riding a bike, I remember vividly what it feels like to run fast so the embarrassment of my sub-nothing mile pace is fully realized.
In the past, this type of performance would usually serve as the perfect excuse to throw my hands in the air and call it a year. However, I find each hindrance more motivating that the last. The spark that I felt had been snuffed out long ago has apparently reignited, and my desire for greatness finally awoken.
For now, time is no longer my enemy. I'll take to running with the intention of finding purity in my love for the sport. So I laced up and shot out the door headed west, chasing the beauty of the sun setting over the horizon.
After five days of running I took my first rest day, mostly a result of my gorging on sandwiches at an office party. Perhaps I will have to address my lack of restraint when it comes to food handouts as I amp up for the new year.
With a whole week of training under my belt, naturally I'm ready to race this weekend in Bend, OR at Club XC Nationals. A 6k in freezing temps with the possibility of snow. Sure. Aggressive hills and exceptionally uneven terrain. Absolutely. Complete with 8 hay bales and a trench jump per 2k lap. Say what now? I'm going to have to channel my inner-steeplechaser to survive this quintessential XC event.
Nonetheless, I look forward to feeling the adrenaline flow through my veins as the spirit of competition consumes me (note: I said the "spirit" of competition being that my pace will be anything but competitive). More to come on my adventures in Bend.
No comments:
Post a Comment