Week 10
I’m still experiencing the after-effects of the Public Nudity Epiphany, I think. For the past 15 months, I’ve been struggling with the rowing machine at my weekly Spudds session. There’s always at least one station on the circuit where you do two 20 second rowing sprints separated by a 10 second rest. The goal is to get 100 meters in 20 seconds. I’ve done it a few times in the past year, but I’ve never been able to get two in a row. My form is improving though, and I’ve been closing in. (Last week I had 101 and 98.) Yesterday I stood before the machine and took a few seconds to visualise myself doing it. Then I sat down and strapped in. The first 20s felt good, and I was well within pace. I got 101m for that one. Spudds came over to congratulate me and told me to “stay loose” during the 10 second rest. “Back yourself!” he yelled. And I was off. My pace was slower, and my technique was definitely sloppier. But he stood over me shouting that I could do it, and I gave it everything I had. As the buzzer sounded, my distance slipped upwards… and stopped on 100m. I gave a shout. It was as satisfying as finishing my first half-marathon. He gave me a high-five and told me that I was the first female to do it. (I’m a little doubtful of that; I’m sure some of the women in his evening classes could do it. Still, it’s a big accomplishment.) I tweeted afterwards: “I feel like I can do anything.” I really do. This whole “self-confidence” buzz is intoxicating.

But hey, running is what this is all about, right? Because of my continuing issues with my right foot, I’ve dropped my running back to three days a week (rather than four). With my Sunday distance increasing, I want to give my arch as much rest time as possible.

Mar. 5: 5.27km
Mar. 7: 10.16km
Mar. 9: 5.43km
Total this week: 20.86km
Total in 2010: 191.27km (119.5mi)

To meet my 1000km goal, I should be at 192km. So right on track!