A steamy late August evening on the track. Workout was all 400s, 800s, 1200s, nothing short and fun like a 200. But no mile repeats. Joy. It was all quick with little rest, those few seconds of breath that make a track workout "oh, this is ok, I can do this" -- no, not much of that tonight.
Last interval was an 800. Knew I could not do it. Did a very hard 400 instead.
Went over to Coach Braz and said "did a hard 400, couldn't do the 800."
He half-turned his head to me. Said "didn't do the workout."
I stumbled on the track's start line. Walked off the track. Looked at it.
Got back at the start line and did another hard 400.
Went to the Coach. Said "did another hard 400."
He half-turned again and in a soft voice said "still didn't do the workout."
Track was getting darker. Most runners had left, having done their workout.
I did the last 800.
Did not go back to report. Did not have to. You do it for yourself, not the Coach.
You know if you've done it.
But you need the Coach to remind you to dig into yourself. And do the work.
If you want to run your best, play your best, set and reach personal and team goals, find a Coach, find a program to help.
