A couple of years ago I started coaching some friends in their running. It started all a bit casually with passing on some basic training advice that turned into full-fledged weekly programming. For me, it has given me a great place to redirect my personal enthusiasm and motivation, particularly in times when my own body wasn't able to respond to the physical demands I was asking of it.
One of the first friends I started with was Dora. She is a mother of two and this year has started working full-time. I know that this is not a matter of much surprise as many women runners balance their training with full-time jobs and families. But for me, Dora has impressed with her blind commitment to the training (we've been doing 6-days per week this year!) and the fact that she never balks at the training plan I give her, and I'm not known for being easy!
Yesterday, we ran a 5km time trial at the track, which I paced her through. It was a windy afternoon and despite the aggressive pace, there she was right behind me pushing through the entire time. By the 4th km she seemed to have reached her limit, but in the final km she picked it up and pulled off an impressive PB of 20:45!! That is a 17-second improvement from the spring and about 3 minutes from when we first started out. Her km splits 4:12, 4:09, 4:08, 4:11, and 4:04. We ended with big hugs and both of us feeling proud and happy!
As for me, last week's training was completed as planned with a total of 29km for the week including, 5 runs, 3 strength days and a long run of about 7.4km. Last night, though, as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep, I kept thinking about Dora and realized that her effort was more exciting and motivating to me now than anything I had done for myself last week. So, this week it's about time to get in some intervals and take things up a notch. I'm looking forward to it and setting some real PBs for myself in the future.
Way to go, Dora!
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