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One Track Mind

Hello dear readers,

The blog is fairly quiet these days. Guess everyone is busy gearing up for the holidays. I’ll be taking some time off in the next two weeks, with just an occasional post here and there, but I’ll definitely be back in the New Year.

As for today, the red prajioud test looms large and is occupying most of my brain these days. It’s on Friday, and my last trial test is tomorrow afternoon. Scary stuff, especially since I threw in the towel during the last test run.

Everyone has been telling me that I’ll pass this test easily–that I’m in great shape and it’s no big deal. But this encouragement is a double-edged sword, because to me this is a big deal and I am genuinely nervous about it. If I pass, I will be ecstatic and very relieved, but everyone will say, “Of course you passed. We told you that you would pass. We knew you could do it,” which takes away from the fact that I wasn’t sure. I’ve worked very hard to prepare for this. But, just like an exam, there comes a time when you have to stop studying.

My original plan was to work on the running portion of the test (one mile in eight minutes and thirty seconds) all week, but one of the issues with my last trial was that my leg muscles were exhausted and sore. They still are, so my new plan is a lot of rest, massage, and stretching. If I’m not fast enough by now, I’m not going to make up for that by fitting in two or three more sessions on the treadmill. All I can do is my best.

I just hope it’s good enough.

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13 Comments

  1. TS

    Good advice – rest! You can’t cram for a marathon by running lots before the big day. Focus on the big part: mental, and the physical will take care of itself.

    I know, easy to say than do!
    Break a leg 🙂

    Reply
  2. Story Teller

    Thanks so much, TS. I’m really spooked. I wish I was feeling more confident, but maybe that will come after my trial tomorrow.

    Reply
  3. Lisa

    Being well rested is probably what is most important right now. Both mind AND body…

    Remember – think positive!

    We are all rooting for you!

    Reply
  4. Kim

    I agree with the rest. You’re “taper” before a big event requires slowing down two weeks prior (your training plan, as I recall had that built in… the peak was two weeks ago). Picking up pace close to an event is counter productive. You will do far better not being sore on test day. I actually also would suggest not doing a trial two days before of the run. Go out and run relaxed and easy perhaps Wednesday for 8:30 seconds if you wish but don’t think about distance (and who knows you might do the distance in that time running relaxed and easy — wouldn’t that be nice to find out!). You don’t want to be hurting for Friday. You want to be fresh.

    Reply
  5. Story Teller

    Thanks, Lisa and Kim. I really appreciate all the support, encouragement, and advice you’ve given me throughout this process.

    Kim, the toughest week of my training was actually last week! Perhaps that was a bad thing?

    Reply
  6. Kim

    Your coach should know your sport best so…. hard to say…. it’s not endurance, your sport is power based, and the two weeks is based on endurance sports.

    Reply
  7. Story Teller

    Hi Kim,

    Well, there are some aspects of endurance. The test itself is an hour of consistently grueling exercises designed to challenge both cardio fitness and strength. And then there’s fighting itself–it takes a lot of endurance to last all three, four, or more rounds. Still, it’s not the same as a marathon, but that’s why Kelly suggested I run so many 5Ks to prepare. Honestly, I thought the double classes required enough endurance to prep me. It’s my running SPEED that needs work.

    Reply
  8. Elspeth Cross

    You’ve been working hard for this. Keep a good attitude. Good luck!

    Reply
  9. Chris

    Good luck on your test today! You’re going to kick ass.

    Reply
  10. Story Teller

    Thanks, guys! I hope so. I will do my absolute best.

    Reply
  11. Ev Bishop

    Have a wonderful time on Friday! I know it’ll be tough, but just think, you’re doing it–rock it! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Ev Bishop

    Hey, you. I’ve checked back a few times, but you’ve pretty quiet–hopefully just enjoying the holidays/New Year. I miss your blog posts! Hope all is well.

    Reply
  13. Story Teller

    It is, Ev! Just taking a long-awaited break over the holidays. Thanks for your patience. And Happy New Year!

    Reply

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