Speedwork and coaching

This week I started my mom on the Couch 25K program to prepare for the Skirt Chaser inTempe in Feb. She did a great job w/ her first ever treadmill and running workout. It's an exciting change of pace to be coaching another beginner through her first steps and I"m mighty proud of her.

On x-mas day, Luke and I went for a nice 4.5 miler from his house. This was my first time running this route since we got married in 2005. In 2005 I had must started running. We lived in Pasadena and I'd do a 3 mile loop around the Rose Bowl. It was flat, but it was really hard for me and I felt really proud of the accomplishment. So, after our wedding I was excited to try to go for a run with Luke in his local stomping ground. I had no idea how long the route was, or that it was a pretty hilly  run. Plus I was trying to keep up with Luke, who had never run with me before. I was running about 11 minute miles, he was pushing 8? 7:30? It felt like 4 minute miles. By mile 3 I was dead. Then we hit the second to last hill at 3.5. With the cramping, tension, distance, and speed I burst in to tears and started to sob. By the time we made it 4 miles and were staring up at a .6 mile hill, I was threatening divorce. I mean, married less than 24 hours... there should be some sort of annulment option. Like a return policy. I made it, I nearly killed Luke, and I swore we would never run together again.

So this route? it had a history.

I also kicked it's ass. I'm not used to running hills, and I had to take it easy on the downhills to stop from cramping, but we maintained a 9:30 min/mi average pace, even with a good amount of rolling elevation change. The day was cold, but sunny, and we chatted nearly the whole way. It. was. awesome.

One of my favorite parts of running is seeing the slow and steady progress you can make if you just put in a little extra effort or a few extra miles. I'm amazed at how fast I am compared to where I was, and I look forward to going faster, longer, and stronger. I'm having a good time looking back on where I was when I first started, and giving my mom the encouragement I needed, and received, to keep going.

I'm running or XTing every day, but not necessarily blogging b/c of all the family around. I should be back to things after the new year. Until then, happy miles, happy new year, and follow me on DailyMile!