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| My 10K clinic at our "End of Clinic Social". |
My last clinic was yesterday. On the one hand I'm glad to be doing my own thing again, on the other, I'm going to miss instructing. Teaching a clinic means that I am required to show up for clinic nights (Thursdays) and practice runs (Wednesday evening and Sunday morning). And practice runs are not about me. They are about supporting the people I instruct. That means I try to run with everyone at some point during the run. On long runs, I'd start out with the faster runners, stay with them for a few kilometers, then drop back to the mid-paced runners, stay with them for a few kilometers, then drop back to the slower runners and finish the run with them. It was never about my pace, and I wanted to be as encouraging as I could.
It's too hard to teach a clinic and train at the same time. I did both for my last half marathon, but had to run six days per week to get all my proper training in. I don't think I'll have the strength to train for a full marathon all summer and teach a clinic at the same time. But come fall, I'll be back to instructing. I love encouraging others to run. I remember how important it was for me to have a positive running mentor in my life. If it wasn't for Carol, I'd likely not be running today. I want to pay it forward and be that person to others as well. Although it takes up a good chunk of my week (about 5 hours on average), and it's basically a volunteer position, I love running with and meeting new people.
Many of my runners are moving onto the half marathon clinic. I'm really proud of them because even though I know they're nervous, they are working towards their personal goals. Some of them doubt themselves and their ability, but I know that they are all ready to move on. Running is never about comparing yourself to others. It's about being the best runner you can be. The only person you truly compete against is yourself.
Tomorrow will see a few personal bests. I'm running the Meredith Hagan Inspiration Run with three of my clinic girls, Monica and my hubby. I think this is the first 10K race for everyone but Monica which guarantees a PB for five of us. But this isn't my race. It's the goal race for my clinic. I think I'm going to run with them like I do on long runs and start out with the fastest runner and end with the slower runner. It's the last time I'll get to run with them as their instructor. I'm hopeful I'll get to run with them again in the future. Maybe we'll even do some races together!
Marathon training starts in one week and I'm not happy with my running performance of late. My pace has not been great over the past week, and I could blame that on my faulty orthotics, but instead of making excuses, I'm getting real with myself. I need to drop fifteen pounds. I can definitely be leaner than I am now. I have chunky upper thighs and hips. I know that dropping weight will help with my pace and may even benefit my foot issues. I also need to work on strengthening my core, so I'm taking Marion's advice and doing some yoga and core workouts with the hubby. Hubby also wants to drop some weight for his running performance so we are doing this together.
Our plan is to continue to follow Paleo, and focus more on the lean protein and veggie side of Paleo. No more nuts in the house, and I think I'm going to cut out my fruit, but hubby will likely be limiting his to one serving per day. And starchy veggies (root vegetables)? One serving per week (which will likely be consumed on long run days). We're also going to do core workouts three days per week. I'm not putting a time limit on my weight-loss, but I will be running my full marathon on November 3rd fifteen pounds lighter. It is harder for me to lose weight now, but I think 4 months to drop 15 pounds is reasonable and certainly doable. I know what I need to do, I just need to getter done!
So I'm back in weight-loss mode again. A place I don't mind being. It was where I was most comfortable with my eating because there were strict rules to follow. It's much easier for me to follow a strict eating plan than one that has too many choices and options. If I know something is off limits (ie: nuts), then I won't go there. And it's all good. I'll have nuts back in my life when I've dropped these last 15 pounds. I'll return to eating Paleo the way I do now for maintenance. And I'll be the best runner that I can be. Not only do I want to be a positive and supportive running mentor, but I want to practice what I preach.
