the new lease

It's been a few weeks since we last spoke and I know the world is giddy with anticipation for the next installment of the Amanda Diaries...

In summation: I moved to a new apartment, scored a pretty awesome roommate, and love my new job.

And to answer your next question, yes I am still streaking (the running kind not the naked kind). Day #147 baby and still going strong.

New events have been placed on my radar, so my training will start to shift in the next few months as I gear up for a cross-country season in the fall. I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to strap on some racing flats and get back in the world of competition again.

I think what I'm most excited for is the opportunity to try a different approach to training. Historically, my inclination is to dive all in to an aggressive training regimen and emerge the fittest version of my injured self. Not to say that I don't love a good disappointing racing season spent on the bench, but for the sake of changing pace I aim for a slightly different outcome this time.

Those instances where I find myself compelled to push during moments of uncertainty will instead be met with a casual wave as I let them fly on by. "Risk vs reward" will now be a game of strategy and thoughtful contemplation, as opposed to impulse and pure dumb-assery.

This will surely mean some compromise, opting to be a few seconds behind my goal in exchange for a healthy year of racing. I hope to gain fitness over time, shifting my focus beyond the season at hand to the success of my career as a whole.

As such, I've made a list of my common mistakes for the purpose of accountability...plus, I'm sure I'm not the only one guilty of these offenses.

1. Too fast, too soon.
Oh, how tempting it is to jump on the track and bust out some 400 repeats...or to push the last few miles of your easy run. Patience. There is so much fitness to be gained from keeping it comfortable and building strength for a little while.

2. Why so serious?
Skipping the beer mile because I have to run 10 the next day? Passing on ultimate frisbee because I'm supposed to do a tempo later? Having fun is part of what keeps the sport from getting stagnant. Don't skip on hanging out with friends, you'll only grow to resent your running.

3. Mileage madness
Probably my worst offense is my obsession with my weekly mileage. I'm adopting a new philosophy, quality over quantity.  What's the point of getting in those 10 miles to meet the weekly goal of 60 if you feel like a steamy pile for 9 of them? Mileage is just a number baby.

A new approach to training that will hopefully yield positive results. When what you would normally do doesn't work, do the opposite right? Makes sense to me! Until next time.