Came to work early to finish charts, review labs and x-rays....maybe after another cup of coffee. As you can see by my previous blog post I am somewhat excited about 2013. Why not?! 2012 was amazing. I learned more than I ever thought I would. Functionally, with Eric's coaching I've become stronger, faster, and more powerful than ever. I've learned how to listen to what my body/running is telling me and I'm SLOWLY learning how to respond accordingly. Running for me has become about learning and growing...See my post about my Hope Pass hallucination! I am intensley excited (and a little scared?!) to see what I will learn over the course of the next year! Some of my personal challenges?? I know, you didn't ask, but this is where I get to bear my running soul so just move on the the next blog if I bore you!

-I tend to want to control what I learn and how...and not just allow it to happen and respond

-I'm afraid of losing running..either through injury, burnout, whatever...and that fear scares me...afraid of fear I guess

-expectations...although I don't feel that pressure now, and naively think I won't , I'm sure as races come and go...well...

-remaining in the present and being fully present...hmm..cure for 1,2 and 3 maybe?

One definition of running--The exercise or sport of someone who runs...how has "running" become less and less about "running"? I ran for 20 years for exercise or sport. It was all about the physical aspects and the physical results. Ultra running has opened a whole new world and perspective on "running".

Is it crazy to think that maybe all this stuff that I am experiencing in my brain will turnaround and impact how I run? I mean the actual physical aspects of my running...my physical endurance, speed, efficiency...physiologically? Or does only the physical training impact the physical speed, efficiency, and endurance?

Ultra running has opened up a whole new world for me. It's a little scary and I can honestly say there were times when I first opened the door and stepped through that I thought about running back through and shutting the door. I'm glad I didn't. I am learning how to bring my 2 worlds together...and let them merge/impact eachother.