I’ve had a tough time developing my Cool Impossibles for 2014. Back in November and early December I was stressing WAY too much over it. Lori Enlow asked me, “If you had nothing to consider what would you LOVE to be able to do this year?” My answer: I. Don’t. Know. Do I want to go faster? Farther? Steeper? Arg!! Which really freaked me out, since I plan EVERYTHING. And then I finally told myself to stop obsessing over it and just let it happen.

And it did, midway through Phase One of Eric’s training program.  I started to find I actually liked the speedwork. I have assumed for many, many years that I was just a slow runner and worked only on distance. But now I’m seeing that I CAN run fast (well, for me) and I want to see how fast I can get. My best 5K time was in cross country in high school. 26:14. At the time I thought that was slow, but I’d give anything to be able to run that fast again! So CI #1 is a 25:00 5K this year. I still love distance and trail running so goal #2 is a 50K completion. Speed AND distance? I must be crazy! Well, I don’t plan on working on them at the same time. I’ll finish Eric’s training plan in his book in the middle of February. That gives me 14 or 15 weeks to work on speed before I start my training phase for my 50K.

Will I make it? I don’t know. (And I’m finally ok with that!) Will I enjoy working towards my goals? You bet your ass I will!