Dear Coach...

To my coach:
I am in the late stages of recovery from the severe achilles heel injury that hobbled me all winter. Thanks to your expert advice i was in a walking boot for 7 weeks and NO running for 12 weeks! I missed the Winter Cross Country Series, had to skip Boston and suffered mental anguish due to the lack of daily therapy gained during my runs. Thanks Coach. You are a friggin genius!
Now on April 1st I am finally running on a regular basis. The injury reminded me how much i love putting on the running shoes and heading out the door or down the trail. The good news? The break probably did my body good. My hips and feet feel 10 years younger. Granted, they felt 75 back in December! My cycling is in great shape. I suffered through endless cold, wet winter rides but I needed it.

Oh yeah... thanks for encouraging/ approving me to race this weekend. I am a bit worried and cautious as I head into Sunday's "New Orleans 70.3 Half Ironman". I am confident that the swim and bike will be fine. The run? 13.1 miles with no real long runs this winter?? How could you possibly think this was a good idea?? Worst. Coach. Ever.

Coach... I have chosen to give you one more chance. I should fire you. I should beat you with my massage stick. I should have you thrown in the dungeon! But you know me better than anyone. You know what makes me tick. Take care of me this spring. Make sure I do not do anything stupid like overtrain, run through severe tightness and stabbing pain, ignore all of the red flags, etc. Help me get back my running speed and remind me to stretch everyday.

Coach.. i love you ... and i hate you. I don't want to miss 12 more weeks of running. Let's do this right ok? Please...