This morning I tackled my first speed-work session in a long time. You may recall my last two attempts:

• I had no music so scrapped the speed work and went for a regular run…then lost my key because karma is fun like that.
• I only managed one speed mile before wanting to keel over and die in misery right then and there.

Needless to say, I felt a little wary heading out for my speed run this morning.

About to get started on my first track speed workout on over a month. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?

August 3, 2011 7:15 am via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@TinaFFF

Tina Reale

I had a pretty defeatist attitude going into the run because the speed interval paces frightened me. A mile in 7:50 seemed pretty lofty. Then, to do that twice?? Even with recover jogs between, I didn’t feel too certain. I tried not to think about it too much and got moving with my mile warm-up. As I rounded the last lap on the track for that first mile a thought struck me.

IT’S UP TO YOU. NO ONE ELSE. IT’S UP TO YOU.

Dang you, rambling thoughts! You just had to go and get all inspirational on me. But okay. I will give it my all. That is all I can do. It’s up to me to do that. No one can run this speed session for me. I will get out of my head and allow my legs to carry me. I can push myself harder and faster. I will go past the slight heavier breathing or the burning sensation in my legs. I will believe I can and will “do this thing” as I like to say. If I want victory over the dreaded speed work, then I must put in the work. It’s up to me.

That equates to 4 miles with an average pace of 8:43!! I utterly kicked that speed session’s butt. And all before the sun was even fully out.

I just may have done a little happy dance. And next month’s 6 mile speed session sounds totally doable, especially when I remember it’s up to me and I can do this. My choices come from ME. My effort in my workouts. My decisions with food. My attitude. No matter the circumstances, we can each make the personal effort to do our best and reap the rewards. What an empowering thought! And if I can do it, then anyone can. It’s up to you. And you know what? You got this! 🙂

• What workouts tend to make you nervous or expect the worst?
• What’s an empowering thought for you?

When going through where I get blog post inspiration, I failed to mention my exercise sessions as a prime source of material. Long runs, especially. Me…alone with my thoughts…ramblings in the head for over an hour. Yea. I inevitably find something to talk about with me, myself, and I on my runs.

Yesterday morning’s running commentary in my mind went a little something like this:

Me #1 (in a sing songy voice) = La-dee-DAH. La-dee-DAH. It feels sooooo niiiiccceeee to get back in my workout groove. La-dee-DAH. La-dee-DAH!

Me #2 (in a grumpy voice) = It feels nice to you, but sheesh. Did you have to get those headaches and feel tired and fall off your game? This would probably feel better if not!

Body = Ahem ahem. Don’t I get any say in this? Let me sing you a little song…

Then Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want From Me” came on and, believe me or not, I felt like my body and mind created a little duet right there on my run out of the song.

Body: Hey, slow it down, whataya want from me? Whataya want from me?
Yeah, I'm afraid, whataya want from me? Whataya want from me?
Mind: There might have been a time when I would give myself away
Oh, once upon a time, I didn't give a darn
But now, here we are, so whataya want from me? Whataya want from me?
Body: Just don't give up, I’m workin' it out.
Please don't give in, I won't let you down.
It messed me up, need a second to breathe. Just keep coming around.
Hey, whataya want from me? Whataya want from me? Whataya want from me?
Mind: Yeah, it's plain to see. Baby you're beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with you.
It's me. I'm the freak. But thanks for lovin' me 'cause you're doing it perfectly.
Yeah, there might have been a time when I would let you step away.
I wouldn't even try, but I think you could save my life.
Body: Just don't give up, I’m workin' it out.
Please don't give in, I won't let you down.
It messed me up, need a second to breathe. Just keep coming around.
Hey, whataya want from me? Whataya want from me? Whataya want from me?

For some reason that song finally convinced me that I did the right thing by not pushing the workout plans this past week and not getting caught up in the overabundance of cereal or lack of veggies. That my body had been asking for a “second to breathe” and that now it will be “workin’ it out” and “won’t let me down”. All I have to do is see that my body is beautiful and strong…and respect it. Yes, I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that not only is that song on my running playlist, but also that I got such a message out of it. We’ll call it my body’s love song. It was meant to be. And I will never expect you to understand my thought processes…I just share them. 😉

• What would be your body love song?
• What song would you hate to admit you have on your music playlist?