Day 630 -- Mile Repeats
Coach Wilcox is asking me to run with the girls' cross-country team quite often this year as a part of my coaching duties. This is a good thing, because I can get a workout in during normal practice time--essentially killing two birds with one stone for me. I don't have to try to do anything after getting home, which is wonderful considering my skills are limited to sitting on the couch, eating, and sleeping from the time I walk through my front door at night. I am a slug.
I also get to do a lot of coaching on the course, which is where I feel I have the most to offer these girls. This makes me feel as though I am contributing more to their growth and success. So that's good too.
But, tonight I'm thankful for making it through a tough workout with girls half my age. The girls did mile repeats today, which is the hardest workout we have them do during the season. Essentially, you run a mile as fast as you can, then rest for three minutes. Then do it again. Then do it again.
Not only did I finish the workout with the girls feeling strong, I managed to be able to yell at, umm...strongly encourage, them during the entire three miles. :)
Afterwards, I felt so good that I decided to do an unheard-of fourth mile repeat, just because I wasn't quite ready to be done with my workout and I had time before I had to leave to pick up the kids. I decided to really go for it to see what I could get for time.
I was shocked to see that I had run my fourth mile repeat in 6 minutes, 5 seconds.
Not bad for a 30 year-old mother of three. I'll take it.
I wrapped up the entire workout by putting in another 4+ miles for a cool down and walked back into the school dripping with sweat, but with a grin on my face.
I was grateful for so many things as a part of this workout: the chance to be outdoors on a beautiful day after being cooped up inside; the opportunity to connect with a wonderful group of girls; the ability to run until my lungs hurt and my head was clear; the confidence of finishing stronger than my own expectations.
Thank God for mile repeats!
Lord, thank you for giving me the time, energy, and opportunity to run a hard workout with my team today. Thank you for the emotional, mental, and physical boost it gave to me. In your name I pray, Amen.
I also get to do a lot of coaching on the course, which is where I feel I have the most to offer these girls. This makes me feel as though I am contributing more to their growth and success. So that's good too.
But, tonight I'm thankful for making it through a tough workout with girls half my age. The girls did mile repeats today, which is the hardest workout we have them do during the season. Essentially, you run a mile as fast as you can, then rest for three minutes. Then do it again. Then do it again.
Not only did I finish the workout with the girls feeling strong, I managed to be able to yell at, umm...strongly encourage, them during the entire three miles. :)
Afterwards, I felt so good that I decided to do an unheard-of fourth mile repeat, just because I wasn't quite ready to be done with my workout and I had time before I had to leave to pick up the kids. I decided to really go for it to see what I could get for time.
I was shocked to see that I had run my fourth mile repeat in 6 minutes, 5 seconds.
Not bad for a 30 year-old mother of three. I'll take it.
I wrapped up the entire workout by putting in another 4+ miles for a cool down and walked back into the school dripping with sweat, but with a grin on my face.
I was grateful for so many things as a part of this workout: the chance to be outdoors on a beautiful day after being cooped up inside; the opportunity to connect with a wonderful group of girls; the ability to run until my lungs hurt and my head was clear; the confidence of finishing stronger than my own expectations.
Thank God for mile repeats!
Lord, thank you for giving me the time, energy, and opportunity to run a hard workout with my team today. Thank you for the emotional, mental, and physical boost it gave to me. In your name I pray, Amen.
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