Midweek Reminiscing

I pulled out my high school and grade school yearbooks yesterday while looking for something in the attic.

Inside the grade school yearbook were my ribbons from my final 8th grade track meet: 1st place for the mile relay, 2nd place for the 440, and 4th place for the 100 yard low hurdles.  I thought those were long gone.  That experience, thanks to our physical education teacher and track coach, Mr. Jarvis, was the first time running was more than something I'd just do for play.

I also was able to get the right spelling for the name of my high school cross country coach who, I feel, was the most influential in introducing me to the sport of endurance running: Mr. Mike Borysewicz.  I only ran for him for two years (sophomore and junior year at NCHS), and I wasn't much of a competitor or skilled runner, but I learned a lot, had fun and it introduced me to the fitness benefits of running.  I wish I could take my head today and transplant it in that 15 year old's body 30 years ago.  I just didn't have the same understanding or approach to improving my running like I do today.  Mr. Borysewicz's seed was planted those many years ago, but it's finally begun to sprout.

I wonder how he and Mr. Jarvis are doing today?  I'd love to tell them both how I've finally discovered the joy of running after all these years.

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Followed through on yesterday's workout plan.  Did a little bit of a pyramid profile with my pace, logging 5 miles that went from aerobic to anaerobic and back again.  Was also able to hit the weights.  Not as easy as Monday, so I'll hold off until next week before lowering the pins.

Planning on meeting up with The Rock running ministry folks again today at RB High School.  I'm trying to break out of my solo-running comfort zone.  I think it helps to run with other people and practice different pacing, especially if it's slower.  My notion is to run the 5 mile loop briskly, timing it to finish right around 6PM, which is when I'll meet them.  And then run an easy 3-mile loop with Leah and Kelly for a total of 8 miles.

I've also planned my final 20+ mile long run for Sunday, and I'm intending on running the trails of San Dieguito River Park, spidering out from the Rancho Bernardo Community Park and back.  Besides being new and (I'm hoping) fun/scenic, I can support myself with water and fuel by looping back to the parking lot and by pre-stashing things at accessible trailheads.  I can probably work out the logistics so that the longest stretch between pit stops is about 5 miles.  I'm trying to avoid having to carry a water belt or hydration pack.

I'm anxious about having a successful long run, but I'm looking forward to it.