One of my goals for my steemit account, is to chronicle my development athletically. Something really wonderful just happened around that just now...
My running has basically been base-building for the last few years (my first few years running). With a race coming up, it is time to start using a training program and focusing a bit more seriously on goals.
I had thought well of the Jack Daniels running programs, as a few of my friends have enjoyed his work, but on a lark, I thought I would 'shoot for the moon'. I contacted a Canadian champion to ask for help.
One of the athletes I follow on strava is about as elite as it gets. Her name is Emily Setlack, she is currently a half-marathon runner. I would probably fumble it if I tried to give her credentials here, so I'll leave that to your search of the IAAF info, and tell you what makes me think of her as the best I could hope for.
Her speed really shines. She has won races in large cities, taken national titles, been a respected teammate, all the things which make up a champion athlete are there, in a mature and impressively fit runner. She also happens to focus currently, on the half-marathon distance, which I hope to sharpen.
What many may not fully appreciate, is the challenge she lives, maintaining her training focus in a northern town. There are weather problems, infrastructure limitations and once, last fall, she had to chase a moose off her trail.
Add to that, the fact that she is happy to support me remotely, and my less social nature clicks RIGHT into place.
When she agreed to help me train for my Klondike Road Relay, I was ecstatic. I honestly can't think of a better coach. I certainly couldn't afford one. She hasn't even asked me for anything, just offered to help.
I'm planning to bust my ass to properly respect her help. I hope it's enough.
Anyway, todays training consisted of a push workout (1hr). I was having a tough time, and skipped the last couple of sets, since I wanted to prioritize the speed workout this week, which was an interval run, as per Coach S.
The plan called for a 20 minute warm-up, then alternating 1 minute fast with 1 minute recovery, 10 times. 20 minute cool-down after that, and I was home.
the ice is rotting away on Frame Lake
The workout was pretty hard, but her instructions were to make the recovery work, even if I had to reduce effort to do so. I did well with it, and look forward to working out how to do other workouts.
My Garmin was pretty helpful here. I'm using features I haven't used since I opened the thing and tried it out :)
Anyway, for a chubby old man to land a national champion athlete as a coach is just incredible. This is a tremendous opportunity to improve my running economy long-term, by improving my speed for this race.
Not to mention anything ELSE I might learn from her along the way.
Training with a national champion athlete; Now that's really neat! Look forward to seeing updates on your progress.
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Thanks! I can't wait to see how it goes with her :)
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