The 2nd TNT track workout

Well, I am eating humble pie today because of my BIG mouth.

And so…
My post on the 2nd TNT track workout (which I did not get a chance to write before one of the TNT couches stumbled across my blog and then emailed me his comments, copying all of the other coaches AND the team manager). It looks like a remedial course in Blogging 101 is in order.
*sigh*

My rant last week, and the subsequent discussion that followed, I arrived at track, optimistic that the night would deliver a more satisfying workout than last week. You will remember that, less than 24 hours later, I was feeling hypocritical about my complaints and overwhelmed with the task at hand. So, here I was, dressed for whatever workout was to be delivered and desperately hoping to connect with someone during the evening fun.

I was over eager as the warm up began. As if it was a race, I went as soon as the word “go” was out of the coach’s mouth. Within seconds, I looked back to see where everyone else was. If felt like a false-start in a swim meet. I waited to be called back to the line, slowing to let the crowd catch up. They did. Not only did they catch up, but they passed me. I fell in line and enjoyed the quick pace that was set (although my heavy breathing would not indicate any enjoyment). After 10 minutes, we were warmed up. I was hot from the heat, but by no means adequately warmed up. Remembering last week’s workout, I wasn’t too worried.

We did some more stretching and then were given our workout for the evening.

Three groups:
1. Newbies: 300 x 9
2. Runners: 400 x 9
3. Experienced Runners: 500 x 9

Once again, we ran in relay fashion, only this time the groups ran together.

Group 1 started it off. When the first in their group arrived at Group 2, the next group began. And then it was our turn. Group 3 took off like race horses. I immediately was humbled. I was NOT warmed up enough for this pace. We finished up our leg and then, given the option to either jog the remaining (300) of the track or walk back the 100 to the next starting point, I opted to job. I needed to warm up. I did this for the first 4 repeats, and then decided that it was time to get a longer rest. I did not want to bring up the rear, and many of the girls that had finished behind me has switched to Group 2. As it turned out, the added recovery time did me good. I found some strength in the 2nd half of the workout and quicked my finish times by 5-10 seconds. The workout ended and I was satisfied.

As in the week before, there was not cool down run, but there was some core strength. I was happy that I’d been doing my homework during the week. It felt a bit easier. After core came stretching. This was where I really felt like I was being put through mill.

One of the honorees stood up to tell his story as we stretched. As we all listened to him speaking about his stage-4 cancer, I just cried. While pretending to be stretching and put my head down and cried as he went on. He was honest about the tough roller coaster ride, the suffering and sacrifice, and the end result of being alive but permanently disabled. While I was truly happy for him, as he announced his news of being cancer free, I was sad for myself and my children. Although I am pretty sure that my husband would not have wanted to forego the same suffering, he never got the chance to decide. It is what it is, and our life goes on.

If I could have curled up (unnoticed) in the fetal position, I would have. I was sure that my tears were looked upon as having been touched by the speaker’s words. I was. I wiped away the tears, got up, and went to “hang with gang” for some post-track pizza.