I’m sitting here listening to new Wintersleep.  Seems like the perfect thing to do when not running.  New Wintersleep may also be the perfect thing to do when running, but I won’t know that until next week when I’m running.  Actually, I won’t really know that because I don’t listen to music when I run.  Only when I’m warming up before a race from time to time if I’m on my own and the team, group, training partners… whatever we are, aren’t there.  Wintersleep is also exceptional music to listen to when you’re reflecting on the past couple of months.  Wintersleep is not rock, or alt. rock, or indie rock, it is a whole new genre – “reflective rock” (note, as I move my word document over to the other monitor to see iTunes I see that Wintersleep is considered indie rock.  iTunes is wrong).  Now, getting back on track and still tying Wintersleep into this, what I wanted to blab about was my reflection of the past few months.  I think a couple people imagine I may have been a bit bitter with the ways things ended up in Calgary. Reality is that I am quite happy with the last few months.  New paragraph for focused thoughts on past few months.

I raced 14 or 15 times, did not finish all of them, debuted in a few distances, ran some international events, earned prize money for the first time ever, wore a Canada vest twice, had the “elite entry” experience, drove a couple thousand miles in the Larry Laredo (my Jeep actually had a name), and most importantly started training with a great coach.  Last time I had any of the above-mentioned items happen to me I was a Junior which was the better part of a decade ago. 

And now to tie the previous paragraph in with the title of my post.  All of these experiences had their ups and downs.  Some were straight ups, others were straight downs.  But regardless, they were all new and unique experiences and I think they all taught me something about running, training, racing.  Most importantly, even after a DNF in Calgary, I finished the season on an up.   What most people don’t realize, was that the initial goal for the spring and summer of 2012 was to simply race a lot, regardless of destination, position, or time. But things worked out well, and back in December 2011 I imagined most of the races (I didn’t think I had 15 in me), would have mostly been low-key local races under the direction of Coach Pawluk (that’s me!!).  Instead I raced all over the place and had all sorts of great experiences (previous paragraph) and again found a great coach in Richard Lee.

There were some side to sides too.  Amazing how I’m able to tie the title of my blog into my writing!!  Racing a lot for a guy who doesn’t race a lot takes a toll.  Mentally I was done a couple weeks ago.  I think I may have been physically done too.  I guess that’s the side to side part.  Knowing overall that things went well but not every effort was great, and simply not being able to sustain the momentum right to the end.  Regardless, of what part of me was burnt out, the past few days with no running whatsoever has been refreshing.  One always knows it’s the right time for a break when one don’t feel guilty about not running for a few days.  Though I imagine by this weekend I’ll be getting antsy again which will mean go time!

Now to sound corny.  I’m truly excited to see what the fall brings.  I am more motivated then ever before.  I’m part of a great club with some of the best local runners to train with.  Add a talented coach and strong support and good things will happen. Lose focus now.  This is where I wanted to cleverly insert the name of a Wintersleep song into a catchy and cheesy line.  They do not have an appropriate song.  Someone, somewhere might be able to add a goofy line, but not me.  Oh, and because of the hate mail regarding my “random day number” blog titles, day number 9833 actually means something!!  Figure that out and you win a prize, which will likely be a granola bar buried in the bottom of my backpack.  This last paragraph is not well written and deviates off course.  I’m not going to edit it. 

Samuel Pawluk