Yesterday morning I headed out (16F degrees) for my run at 7:30am. My husband and kids were still snug in their beds. As the cold wind bit my face, I thought to myself, "why am I doing this?"

Just a few yards into my run (before I could shake off that negative voice in my head) I was startled by a man in his bathrobe wearing a norwegian-looking ski hat....at his mail box. As he looked at me from across the road he said only one word, "Dedication!"

The thing is, I wasn't feeling very dedicated. I was feeling cold. But that man (with only one word) encouraged me to hold my head a little higher, breath a little deeper, and actually feel dedicated while I finished my four miles. It's amazing what a person can do with just one word.

Week 9 totals: 13 miles

Mon: 1hr Spinning

Wed: postponed track workout for my knee

Thurs: went to the dome to make-up the track workout, but forgot my watch(argh!). 3 miles

Sat: 4 miles (feeling dedicated)

Sun: 70min on treadmill (6ish miles) It was great to be out of the elements and in control of the incline!

Goal for week 10: 16 miles

Mon: off

Tues: 50min treadmill (4.5 miles?)

Wed: Track (3.5 miles)

Thurs:off

Fri: weights

Sat: 4miles

Sun: 4miles

Totals so far:

Week 1: 10 miles

Week 2: 12 miles

Week 3: 10 miles

Week 4: 9 miles

Week 5: 7 miles

Week 6: 14 miles

Week 7: 9 miles

Week 8: 9 miles

Week 9: 13 miles

Note to my coach: This doesn't seem very consistent to me. If I'm running a race in June, when does the training need to be more serious? When do track workouts become more important? Should I be worried about missing that fourth run most weeks? Also wondering if I should do some practice races before June...just to get the feel of it?