Becoming a Runner

In the past 23 days I have run 22 times. That's a run a day and when you miss one day because for once you drank too much... it means a double run. Now a daily run doesn't mean 120 minutes a day at a 6 minute mile. In fact it means the opposite. Some runs are 30, some 45. But right now on EZ run days they are at a certain slow pace. We've begun to delve into the land of pickups, which means during a 45 minute run I will pick up to R (race) pace for 30 seconds at a time.

When you have spent your triathlon career with a stellar swim bike combo and a die on the run tradition... you have to one day accept that no amount of cycling will make you a runner. Running makes you a runner. Risky? Only if you don't listen to your body.

So much has changed within me as I have been running frequently. My right Achilles was very tender on the way to IMLP. (Last year I tore the left). As I have been running daily the pain has subsided. I am feeling very strong. My mental attitude towards my runs has been reinvented. For once in my life I freaked out when Monday I had no run scheduled. And then I laughed. Who would have thought?

Like I keep saying... what I was doing wasn't working, so it was time for something new. With luck this all will enable me to have a great day at IMFL. Beyond that I know my 2008 season will be a much different season than seasons past. But I am willing to take the gamble. I am willing to take that chance.

While we are in Germany Coach T cooked up a good block of training for me. Daily swimming and of course daily running. Mid length bikes with sweet spot targets. You will notice a lot of pacing going on here. It's there for a reason.

IMFL is no joke. Some people believe it is an easier Ironman. I don't consider 112 miles of straight pedaling to be easy. In fact I don't consider 140.6 miles of anything to be easy. Each Ironman has its own unique flavor. Remember you are talking to the girl who has done IMLP 3 times. 10 minute break on each loop of the bike! That's 20 minutes out of 6 hours I don't pedal!

So take each Ironman for what it's worth.

This morning we are off to Hamburg Germany for the ITU World Championships. On this trip I get to be the Tri Sherpa, as it's Curt's day to shine. I packed up both of our bikes last night without a hitch. Everything is ready to go.

We are scheduled to arrive in Hamburg Wednesday morning at 7:40am. In a sleep deprived state we hope to find the pool, get in a swim and a run before checking in to the hotel. I have everything mapped out so with luck, we won't have to think too much!

I will have laptop on hand and hopefully will be sending out some updates. Until then.. Bon Voyage!

:-) Mary Eggers