April already? Let's get SPEEDY!

I left the house overdressed, of course. It's been a thing for me for the past few years. I'm less tolerant of the cold, but around here cold is part of the deal. Spring is tricky. We run the gamut from snow and ice to rain and dreariness to warm and windy, sometimes all in the same day.

When I first got serious about running, decades ago, I don't remember having to grapple this much with weather conditions. My 'just do it' attitude got me out the door without thinking a whole lot about what I was running into (literally) - but I took it all in stride. (Sorry for all the unintentional running puns today!).

Nowadays I tend to procrastinate. A lot. If it weren't for a race on my calendar, and a crazy (some might say ill-informed) race goal, I'm not sure if I would be this consistent in my training.

Know what I found to be the leading cause of procrastination? NOT HAVING A FULL TIME DAY JOB! Seriously, when I worked full time and had to be at work in the morning, I found ways to get my workout in. Whether it was an early morning/before work gym session, a run at lunchtime, or a planned group ride in the afternoon, I always got it done. There's something to having a tight, full schedule that made the workout feel like a non-negotiable.

With my current job flexibility, I have too may opportunities to delay my workout until (pick one): it's a bit warmer, it stops raining, after this next client meeting, after I walk the dogs, etc. Sometimes, I delay too long, and then the workout doesn't happen. Don't ask me how many times this has happened in the past month. It's embarassing.

But I am happy to say that I have been more consistent lately, and my running speed and endurance is improving! Last week I started some speed work - 2 x 5 min at my intended race pace (which, as you are aware, is 7:30 min/mile). Today I did the same workout but with one more 5 minute interval. Aside from some easy, short running days, my next focused workout will be to run longer than I intend to at the race. My weekend running workout is "7 miles or 1 hour, whichever comes first". Sometimes it's nice to be your own coach!

If any of my local friends want to join me for my weekend run, you know how to find me!

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