New and broader focus...

Been a while since I have had a chance to write on the blogger....

after stumpjump I was really burned on running for speed...i was stressing myself out with my workouts trying to maintain a certain pace and honestly beating myself mentally when it came to my running....I took a week or so after stumpjump off in hopes of getting some rest but that really didn't change too much....By the time November got here it was time for Wade's Big Adventure and I really was not too excited about running it....although I hoped it would give me the motivation I needed to get back seriously running....

I had this big plan written out for SwampStomper training that I was going to try to follow...it was all about running long at race pace so it was very intense....I never could get amped for it so I scrapped it....the last two weeks or so my focus has been on running to enjoy running for running's sake...not to worry about my pace, not to think about my splits or anything like that...I had made running so that it was almost not enjoyable with all that type of stuff...I just wanted to run to run.....and man what a difference it has made...

I have also decided that I need to be a more well-rounded athlete...my focus has been to concerned with running...I love to ride and I have been neglecting that, I have a boat I completely have neglected paddling, I never do any upper body/core work all because I have been so focused on running....well, that is all going to change...I just needed the motivation to change it....

I have been wanting to shift my focus to be a more well-rounded athlete ever since Stumpjump but it was just last week that Lauren gave me the motivation I needed....she is doing her Physical Education program at U of Memphis and she really wants to incoporate outdoor education into her program and possibly work in the outdoor education field....so she found a course at Outward Bound specifically designed to teach youth outdoor skills....

So this brought up an old idea of mine that I have been tossing around for the last 2 years or so of doing an Outdoor Educator course at NOLS (National outdoor Leadership School)....basically, this if I took this course and got my Wilderness First Responder (medical) certification, I could teach outdoor education during my summers off....so, I researched programs and I think I found that one that I want to take...it's a 31 day mountaineering/rock climbing course in the Pacific Northwest....

This has completely changed my attitude towards my training...I want to be in the best shape possible now for this course, as it will make it that much more enjoyable.....I know I have a solid endurance base and I want to improve upon that....i still plan on running around 50 miles a week...but I'm going to make sure they are all quality miles...no longer going to go out and slog through miles simply so I can write them down in the log....I'm gonna focus on mixing lactate threshold efforts, anaerobic efforts, and endurance work so that I become more well-rounded....

the biggest change to my training is going to be incorporating upper body strength and core training to benefit my climbing...I am going to try and climb at work at least 2-3 times a week...also going to focus on pull-ups and core ball exercises....

all in all, the idea of NOLS has really helped me change my attitude and gotten me motivated to get back out running, riding, and strength training....and I think my running will probably improve just from the added LT, anaerobic, and endurance work....I guess as far as running goes, I'm still working hard at it, its just I have a whole new motivation as to why I am running...

happy running and share the road!