Training for Fun Running

Since the Indoor Masters meet a couple of weeks ago I'm now back in my groove and training again for the meets coming up in the summer.  I'm using the pattern I laid out in my last post: one long run, one tempo run, one speed workout and one sprint workout combined with weight training.  That leaves me two days of rest, or a day or two of easy running, each week.  It's very apparent that I haven't done my long run in three weeks now and it shows most in my tempo runs.

I can't hold what should be only 85% pace for more than two miles.  That's a little disappointing, but I've got time and it'll come to me if I keep at it all.

The sprint workout this week was better than last week and I wasn't nearly as sore.  I felt completely recovered just two days after that even though my tempo run was a little weak.  We'll see how the 400's go tomorrow and my 10 mile run on Sunday morning.

I'm really psyched about the schedule and the variety of workouts I've found over the past year and now I get to put them into action.  That 800 race has really bolstered my confidence in my plan and I can't wait to see where it takes me this summer.

I always feel better when I'm running.  I feel strong, free and a long way away from where I was just four and half years ago.  Makes me smile.

Being in shape, being able to push through some discomfort and getting faster is just a fun, fun feeling.

As awesome as that is, it's not quite as fun as hearing my oldest step-daughter telling stories about how she's screwed up the Tooth Fairy a bunch of times.

For some reason that little transaction keeps slipping her mind in the middle of the night.  One time she woke up and realized she didn't swap the tooth out so she runs into Ava's bedroom yelling, "Ava!  Get up!  I need your help!  I can't wake your father up and he's going to be late for work!"  Ava sort of stumbled out of bed looking at Amy like she was nuts, walked into her parents' bedroom only to find her dad was up and in the shower.  Meanwhile, Amy was grabbing the tooth and shoving a dollar back in it's place.

Another time she walked into Ava's room as she was waking up with an armful of folded laundry and pretended to trip and threw it all over Ava.  As she tried to dig herself out of the pile of clothes, Amy made the exchange again.

The best one, though, was when both parents realized they had blown it again when Ava came walking into the kitchen fighting back tears.  You see Ava tends to take things very seriously and she holds onto information forever.

A couple of years ago to get Ava to brush her teeth better, and answer the question "what does the Tooth Fairy do with the teeth?" they told her that the Tooth Fairy used the teeth to pave the roads in it's home town.  And to build beautiful, white buildings.  The Tooth Fairy only gave money for the best, cleanest, well cared for teeth, so brush well!

Fast forward to that moment in the kitchen.  Amy's having coffee and trying to wake up as she hears Ava.  ..sniff....sniff....."I.....didn't......" she opens her hand slowly showing her tooth "...brush...well enough!"...SOB!!!

Amy hugs Ava and starts to yell, so Sean can hear upstairs. "Oh no honey!  You brushed fine!"  (getting louder)  "The Tooth Fairy didn't ignore your tooth!  We just had the house painted and the windows must be stuck!  I'll be the Tooth Fairy TAPED YOUR DOLLAR TO THE FRONT DOOR!!  Meanwhile Sean is tearing down the stairs with tape and a dollar yelling, "I'll check the door you guys stay in the kitchen!"

He barely got outside the door before Ava came running out of the kitchen hoping for all she's worth the Tooth Fairy really did get locked out.

I don't think Sean actually put the dollar on the door he just held it up for her to see.

Tragedy averted.

I can't wait till the next tooth comes out!