Back to the Blogging World

I just can't get two statements out of head the last ten runs. A few years ago, my former assistant coach told me, "Nathan, sometimes you have to be selfish. Not in life, but with running." I'll be honest that for about two years I didn't think twice about that statement. I just went about my business. Living life, working the jobs I love ( actually two or three depends on who you ask), running daily, and pouring time into my runnners at Magruder. I haven't devouted more time to my own training plan in sometime. I'm in shape for most people, but for a former DI alum who still competes - I would call it weak. Only a few of my former college teammates still run (one really, really, really fast). The rest don't know I still run. But, you see the last few months. I don't miss running. I'm always running. I miss training. I miss races of my own. Trust me, I wouldn't have traded the last six years of coaching for anything. It's about balance. For a while, I didn't have it. Balancing faith, family, work, a social life, relationships, running, and everything is never easy.

So, back to these two statements. The first, I told you. The second one hit me even hard a few months ago. A standout runner in the area lives near Magruder and subs on occasion at Magruder. He asked about my top runner, life, etc. Then, he asked me a shocking question, "How about your running? I'd like to see you crank a good race this summer. Give your eight weeks and I bet you'll surprise yourself. Don't go crazy with mileage. Just get in two workouts in a week with a nice long run." I thought about his comment for a while and decided to cut out a few things I like to do to be able to train (not just run) again. So, yes, I'm going to give myself eight weeks for my first race back. A 5K in Bethesda in June.

So, Monday morning is coming and the week begins. And, for the two people who might read my blog - I'll keep it updated. Eight weeks. We'll see. Here it goes. As Jake says and I haven't said in a long time, "I'm all in."