I have really been working hard to keep to the schedule that Coach posts for me. Although I sometimes “Gumby” the workout days or move around the order, I generally keep to the plan. If he says “easy,” that is what I do. If he says “don’t be a slave to pace,” I keep my eyes off of Ms. Garminia. It is my hope that I will soon note an improvement.
Well today was not the day for noticing improvements. “When will this get easier?” I whined because the hilly loop continues to get the best of me — and I have been at it for quite some time now.
Coach asked for me to give the day’s run a moderate effort. Thankfully, he didn’t say to run a particular pace. I ran as best as I could, which sometimes felt like even turtles could go faster than me. But I did not give up.
A quarter of the way in, I set the standard for the run. Today, moderate would mean that I would not stop to rest and I would not walk. When I logged the run and compared the time to the same route, one week ago, I was immediately saddened to find that it was almost 2 minutes slower. Then I factored in that I generally turn the crono off when I stop.
Maybe I am improving. Maybe the difference is still immeasurable.