Back in America and already in the middle of normal business!
After my small but nice Christmas break at home - which was so needed- I flew back to America on 01/02/2023. The VERY LAST TIME. After that, there is only one flight home, barely imaginable!!!
Work is calling - on 01/03, the normal schedule was supposed to start; as I said was supposed to.
As almost usual, it took me out, and I was sick in bed for a week. I just can't cope with the jet lag and the air conditioning; I really need some time to acclimatize. I really wasn't feeling well, and other than the bed, I didn't see much.
With a week's delay, I started on 01/09 again and easily into the usual training, plus work and university also started again...my last semester at FAU as a graduate student (with a little extra load of courses to do my master's degree in May ;))
The week of training went well, the weather went a little crazy here in Florida, and it got sooo cold. Hat and jacket were unpacked - with the windchill it felt like 0 degrees Celsius. - Believe me, the cold really hits differently here. Experience it, then you believe me ;)
There was not much time; it was already competition week!!! I canceled the first competition because of my illness, but now it was time. On the 19th-20th of January, my first indoor meet of the season took place.
Wednesday 01/18/23
In the morning, we drove in 3 vans (Sprinter + Distance girls) to Gainesville. Yes, right to Gainesville, Florida. There the first indoor track in Florida ever, was built. The opening was a week before! Admittedly, the building is not finished yet, but the main thing is that the track is there, and we drive "only" 5h there :D
When we arrived in the afternoon, we briefly loosened our legs, got something to eat, and I could, fortunately, go to bed early.
Thursday 01/19/2023
Race Day 1. Today the 3.000m was on the program for me. The starting signal was at 4:45 pm.
I did a casual run in the morning and then spent the rest of the day working before we went to the track.
Warm-up, and off we went.
I ran a 10:06 min and was absolutely upset, and disappointed in myself at first. I also showed it in my emotions. I just expected much more from myself, especially since I have been running these times Toujours for 3 years, no matter how or when - I even do it in practice. Mentally I was absolutely in the old pattern. That was a huge setback for me at first moment. Briefly let it all out and then looked forward again - it's part of the process, and the start has never been easy for me, especially in the track.
In hindsight, I see my performance as good. The past few weeks have not been consistent, and I've been struggling with illness. It's good to get started. I don't need to run a 9:30min overnight.
Friday 01/20/2023
Race Day 2. I describe it: The speedwork of a whole missed year well done.
It started with the mile (1609m) at 11 am! I usually don't get sore muscles after a race, only internally; the stress/travel/conversion wears me out.
As usual, the routine and off the race goes. There were 3 heats, and I was in 2. There were a few girls from FAU competing.
If you watch the video below, you'll wonder, did she sleep through the start? She sure is taking it easy. No, that's not an accident - that's reality. :D
I was definitely in a better mood and hyped for the run. The first few laps, I ran on the outside lane, which was really not advantageous, but that's what the short races are for me, to learn how to push with other girls.
I stayed calm and relaxed. In the last round, I was able to make a "small" kick, which made me happy. Good progression, even though it was not a race at my limit.
Finish time: 5:09min - was just short of a PR I set 3 years ago. Can be left like that. There is still much more; the subs 5 are definitely targeted.
fter that, I had a short run and ate directly (food/drink is the key!!) before I went on. I decided to run the 800m. Motto: practice being stuck in the situation, lose fear and keep learning.
Warm up numero 2 of the day, and at 2:15 pm, was the start for the 800m runners. Of course, there were several heats. Jess and Rosa ran a great race in the first heat - 2:06.98 min for Jess - PR and school record - it looked so smooth. Brilliant!
So my race went better ;) - The start was better, and I went through the first 200m in 33sec - ha, that's almost a PR! I couldn't think much. I just felt my legs getting stiffer and stiffer and my insides tightening up.
Target time: 2:24 min - is ok; I can not expect or compare anything because the short runs are just nothing for me.
Done for the day! Or not? I found out that they are looking for a replacement for one of our 4x400m relay teams. Sure, I make myself available - with the joke thought, because I/Madlen/never.
After the cool-down, I was given the official OK, I will start. Oh great, the others probably didn't want to. Yes....well, the panic rose immediately - how do I take and give the baton? I had never held such a thing in my hand before.
Well, all a first time.
Warming up Numero 3 and somehow waking up. By now, it was almost 5 pm and the long day made me tired.
FAU fielded 3 teams; The A team delivered and won the first heat. We, the 2 other teams were in Heat 3...and I was the tail runner. Luckily: all I had to do was receive the baton!
I haven't been this nervous in a long time. My heart was racing. I was not responsive. The handover worked, and I felt 100 kilos lighter. That only lasted for milliseconds before I realized, here we go.
There was no time to look left or right, gaze more fixed than ever. The upper body was so cramped, even the hand where I did not have the rod in my hand. The main thing was not to lose.
That was an experience in itself. It was funny, and I still had fun :D
That was the last event of the day. We packed up quickly and then got something to eat before we drove home. At midnight I was exhausted in bed.
2 days - 4 competitions - a roller coaster of emotions.
When I sum up the days, I go home with a smile. The start was bumpy, not what I wanted, but it was good for the day and GOOD for my current situation. The past few weeks have been a bit of a mixed bag in terms of training. I haven't had any speedwork or anything like that. I've been doing well for that.
P.S.
Fan Girl MOMENT ;).
