Running with Cheetahs

For the past several weeks, a group of us have been meeting every Wednesday evening at Liberty Park for speed work.  I usually do a few sprints and call it good.  I know these sessions have been helping, but at the same time, I was kind of guessing on numbers and technique and not really reaching my potential.

Ty and Sonja have been my mentors and coaches as I've been getting ready for Nebo.  They are both going to run it with me and pace me to a sub-2 finish.  I'm scared!  But also determined.  I'm going to try my best, and even if a sub-2 doesn't happen this time, I know it will happen next year.  I can see it, I just need to work for it and reach it now.

Ty is awesome and made me my own little plan for these last couple of weeks.

Well, last night, Jarom and Ty coached me during my speedwork, and while it turned out to be one of the toughest workouts I've ever done, it also turned out to be one of the BEST and most rewarding.  Ty and Jarom are both cheetahs.  Like, really.  Ty's half marathon PR is a 1:19, and Jarom goes out and runs 5:00 miles for fun.  I was very humbled and flattered that they would take the time and slow down for an evening to help me become a better runner.

We started off with a 1/2 mile slow jog, then Ty told me to go run two sets of 1/2 mile at an 8:30 pace.  When I finished those, I met up with him and Jarom, and they did two more sets with me.  It was GREAT running with them because I let them worry about keeping me on pace.  It was nice to not have to keep looking at my watch.  Ty was SO supportive during the sets.  He kept encouraging me and telling me to keep going.  Then, for the last one or two tenths of the set, they'd speed up to a 7:40-ish pace or faster.  They both thought I didn't look dead enough, but I swear, I was DYING!  After we finished those, we did two sets of 1/4 mile at an 8:10 pace.  Those sucked, big time!  Ty helped me work on my breathing and form.  I cannot get over how helpful and awesome he was.

I learned so much last night.  Not just about running form and numbers, but about what I'm capable of and the value of pushing those limits.  I'm NOT going to become a faster, stronger runner unless I push myself like this consistently.  I always knew that in my head, but I finally DID it.  It is so much more to actually DO than it is to plan or wish or think about.

Joshua and Robert Merriman were with us, too.  RM couldn't stay long, but it was so great to see him!  He ran my second 1/2 mile set with me, and I loved having him with me.  He also brought us Canadian candy because he's just the coolest like that.

Joshua did his own speedwork session, and I think he's going through the same transformation that I am.  Just finally breaking through and pushing towards his potential.  He made this graphic about himself the other day, and while it made me laugh, it's so true!  The cheetah is inside of us, ready to burst free and RUN! Marathon training sort of turned us both into sluggish runners, hence the cow.  Too funny!

Afterwards, we went to Sonic to visit and stuff our hungry faces.  We laughed and laughed.  So fun.  I say this all the time, but I had NO idea running would change my life this much and bring so many incredible people into my life.  They are my family.

You can't tell from this picture, but there is a lot of PAIN going on here!!

Flanked by stud muffin CHEETAHS!

Oh Ty, Ty.  You're so pretty.

After much thought, he went with a jalapeno chocolate shake.  Gross.

My brothers!  I love them so much!