once upon a run
Tearing Up the Track
Getting up at 4:30am sounds miserable. Even more so getting up at 4:30am and heading to a local track by 5am to do a workout sounds miserable AND terrible. Here’s what I would say because someone said it to me, it’s mind over mattress. It’s not that bad. I know it sounds simple, just get up. Once you’re up, lace up and head out. I’ll be there, waiting for you.
Once 5am hits, let’s do a little warm up. One mile broken up by 4x 400 with a 60-90sec rest. A tad faster each lap just by a few seconds.
Now you’re ready. Ready enough. Here comes the workout: A pyramid, cut down, ladder, maybe throw in a mile. Why not? What else are we going to do? We’re already here. Now when you’re in the middle of the workout, at the backstretch rounding the turn, arms pumping, breathing heavy, opening up that stride, your heart rate is elevated. You are in a fight. A battle with yourself. Each lap you run by me, each lap you finish you win the fight. Over by the 200, above the tree line the sun comes up. It’s so beautiful, the sunrise. Next thing you know we’re down to the last interval. This is when I say Gut It The F**K Out! And you do. You always do. I see it. The effort is amazing to watch. It’s so inspiring. That’s why I’m out here coaching. You inspire me.
Everyone is welcome here. This oval place. It’s our weekly 5am domain. Spring to Fall, I’m here waiting to welcome you. I don’t care what your pace is. That’s because when you’re here, you do not worry about anyone else except you. The most important thing you do here is improve yourself. There is no first place, no middle place, no last place. This is every runner’s place.