breakthrough run

I had one today.

I was supposed to do it yesterday but sleep was a better option. And it was cold and dark and I am a wimp so I stayed in bed.

But today I woke up before the alarm and got out the door. It was a good, good run!! The scheduled workout was warm-up and then 4 x 8 minutes at my steady state heart rate. With 3-5 minutes in between.

Just for shits and giggles, I thought, let's see how fast I can run 4 x 1 mile??? I am a 9 minute miler. Always have been, assumed I always would be. Before CTS, I had an online coaching program that I was trying to follow but I could never get under those 9 minute miles, consistently. Sure I could do one or two but 4? Amazing how your head determines where your body goes...

We live in an older area of town and the streets were built on one mile grids. It is exactly one mile from Ruth Street to 8th Street down Eastlake Avenue. Here we go!!

The first one was 7:53...and I felt really good!! As in steady and not killing myself...but could I do 3 more? Jogged around for a few minutes, hit the lap button on Gary Garmin and away we go again. 2nd mile was 7:54...pretty much bang on the first. And still feeling pretty good. Heart rate in check, legs feeling good, not breathing too hard. Bring on #3!

About half way through #3, the wheels are trying to come off...it was a struggle...it was hard...I was fighting not to slow down...I was almost to the end...good form, good form, good form (this is Coach Justin's advice, always with good form...) 7:58...whew!!

But holy shit I still had one more. That last one was tough. I thought about just walking home. Coach Justin's advice also, is do them until you fail...so I was assuming this one would be well over the 8:00 minutes...7:59!!! One little second to spare.

I am super proud of this. I feel like this is a breakthrough as in I never thought I was capable of doing this for more than one or two miles...and I did 4!! Who's the rockstar now?? Hahahahahha!!!!

Funny story: The other day I found a five dollar bill in a parking lot. I gave it to Matthew and told him to hang onto it and maybe the next time we were at the store, he could buy himself something with it. He comes home last night after school and says "Mom!! I traded that money you gave me for this GOLD COIN!!!"

A LOONIE!! (for our american friends, this is ONE DOLLAR in Canada....) I guess I have some work to do on teaching about money....