So here’s where we are: Week two of my coaching with the Amazing Natalie. Last week I was on vacation, so she encouraged me to take the week off (any wonder why I love her?) but this week, WE ARE BACK AT IT, BABY!!

She took it somewhat easy on me, and here’s the plan:

Monday – 3 miles easy
Tuesday – Track workout – 3×800’s (yes, that says THREE. More on that in a minute)
Wednesday – 3 miles easy
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – 3 easy with 4×100 strides after run
Saturday – 8 miles
Sunday (thank God!) – rest

I’ve done it all so far this week, although on Tuesday I “accidentally” misread the schedule before I left the house and only did 2×800’s not 3. I promise, it was an honest, although perhaps somewhat Freudian, mistake.

I emailed Natalie the following: “I’m secretly glad I misread the directions.” Her response? “I think you had a typo there. You meant to type I’m secretly SAD I misread the directions!” Yes, Coach. That’s it exactly.

I had a bizarre experience on Tuesday. I was literally so excited about my run that I almost couldn’t fall asleep and was then awakened at 2:30 am by a horrible spasm in my upper back. I laid their thinking not “wow, this might be serious.” But instead “NOOOO!! I have a track workout in the morning and it’s only going to be 65 degrees!” (please go check local DFW weather for the week if you just assumed this was a post written in October and not July . . . seriously, it’s bizarro but amazing.)

So when I finally got back to sleep (after three Advil) it was rough going and it still hurt when I woke up. So I thought, “I’m going to put my running stuff on and try. If after a half mile it still hurts, I’ll call it a day and call the chiro.” And then the miracle happened. Not only did it not hurt worse while I was running, the running actually loosened up whatever was sore and I felt BETTER!! What?!?!?! This is craziness! AND it was cool outside! AND I rocked my 800’s! AND I use too many capitol letters and exclamation marks!;)

So all that to say, week two is off to an amazing start. Thanks, Nat, for being awesome and kind with just enough kick a$% to keep me motivated:). You are a gem!!

If you’re here because of my guest post over at my friend Stephanie’s blog, I hope you’ll stick around! I do a lot of rambling but hopefully I also provide enough idiot mistakes to keep you entertained.

Happy Running!!

Jen