The test

Friday, July 13, 2012 · Mike Davis

Today was the day that was going to totally trash my legs and end my running career. After some poor judgment because of one missed day of running, I was going to follow through with my 10K training’s group hill training. Thank goodness I didn’t have to run with the morning group as my legs were still smarting from yesterday’s Spartacus workout and a 6 mile run. Instead I spent a crazy day at work trying to do a million things for a million people. In the back of my mind I was thinking about how hot it was getting and how much I had tasked my body this week.

Just after lunch I sent out an email to the group with some words of encouragement and a request that they let me know if they would be running. Not one response, but one of my younger runners told me he would be there (I think he’s trying to impress me for future employment opportunities). At 1515 (3:15) I headed for the locker room and would continue to at least act as if I were actually running. Cecil (the young man) was there changing so I now knew that I was running.

After changing I headed over to where we would be meeting and wondered if anyone else would brave the 88 degree temperatures? No one was there and Cecil was nowhere to be seen, hmm… Eventually I saw his van coming in my direction, so it was go time! He got out apologized for being late and we were off. The plan was run a little less than a mile to our hill and then run for 18 minutes up and down and then run back. Surprisingly my legs were much better than I could have imagined but man it was hot! Dumb me was looking at my watch almost every 90 seconds and thinking that there is no way I could make it to 18 minutes in this heat. I stopped looking at my watch and kept focused on my form, my breathing and staying positive.

I did some math and told my partner that we had 2 more trips and would be done. Knowing that I had my resolve and knew I could do this. Cecil and I started encouraging each other as we headed up our final time and boy ole boy did I need every bit of that encouragement. Being twice Cecil’s age I had to let my pride play a role in getting to the top of the hill. We got there and I was toast and had absolutely nothing left. We walked a bit and then ran slowly until I said let’s walk the remainder and enjoy some of the run. It was hot and we could have easily succumbed to the weather and not felt bad, but we didn’t. We helped each other like running partners should and when we were done, we hugged and felt good about ourselves.

I was able to overcome my training ignorance and get it done. No, it has not been a smart week of running and I will try and learn from it, but I am grateful that I didn’t incur and injury. Tomorrow is an early morning Spartacus strength training workout and rest my legs the remainder of the day. Saturday will be an easy 7 mile run to finish up the week and Sunday will be a rest and travel day. What a week! I will talk about the importance of 18 tomorrow so check back. Cheers!