All the Courage You Have Left

Two weeks complete. Roughly eleven more to go. Now, that I'm officially training for the KC W&R, I gotta say I feel like a total bad ass. I know I'm a pretty decent runner these days, and I know I've come a looooonnng way-but following a training schedule makes me seem so official. I am running with a purpose now. Clearly all my half marathons were self-derived and Goliath inspired running plans. I went off some Internet acquired know-how, basic running principles and a dog's energy. Obviously, not the best strategy but it worked-but I don't think it will be get satisfactory results for 26.2 miles.

My second super-official-marathon-training-long-run, we shall call these SOMTLR from now on, was this Sunday passed. I slept in, WOAH major surprise there, and ended up pushing the run back into the afternoon. Luckily it was raining, again. Mother Nature knows I run better in the rain. There's something about my playlist, being with Goliath on a muddy trail and just putting my heart into a run that makes me feel like an epic Nike commercial. The song "Shots" by LMFAO is like the most annoying song, unless I'm running. It's perfect for my cadence, and regardless of the lyrics it makes me move.

Maybe I rely too much on my ipod. Sure, I'd love to be some crunchy granola runner with no shoes and natural deodorant, but the reality is that I'm not. Running is easier if I can put a soundtrack to it, and sorry but I run for so many reasons and none of them include adding stress to my life. A bad run stresses me out, it puts pressure on my next run and fills me with self doubt. Logging nine miles in one day is not second nature to me, but getting lost in some fun Bieber on mile six definitely makes it feel like it is.

By our split, Colbie Caillat was calming down my playlist. I put songs like her's on there, because I unintentionally slow down. Sometimes I need that reminder, sometimes I don't but on this run it came just at the right time. I let my heart rate recover to 60%, stretched and allowed Goliath to explore the banks. By that time, the clouds had cleared and the sun was evaporating all the fallen rain. Steam was coming off the trail's pavement, and that's when my power song came on.

I have a special relationship with "All the Above" by Maino, and admittedly when I think about how motivating it has been to me and all the races and runs it's pushed me through, I get overwhelmed emotionally. So no, I've never been shot or spent hard time in prison-but I can relate to songs, running wise I guess. It's a song about struggle. I struggle on even my easiest runs. It's a struggle for me to put my shoes on most days, let alone spend the upside of an afternoon running. I struggle just to break into the middle of the pack. So, what's up Maino-I struggle too and thank you for making me a better runner.

We pushed nine that day. We spent the rest of the day recovery couchside with ice.

Total Mileage: 9.05
Time:1:238:37