The alarm rings at 5:30 a.m. and I'm in total denial. But... driving past runners on the street makes me feel like I should pull over to let them in on my little indoor-track secret. I love the track now and can't believe I've spent all these winters suffering through -7 degrees, dark, icy mornings. However, you do have to contend with other people who also want to use the track. But it's not half as bad as going to the gym. Also, it's fun to pick it up for a lap every 4-5 laps. It makes 'speed' work more measurable/do-able. I have no brain for real training. Which is why I love that Fartlaeking is an actual thing. As unstructured as Fartlaeking is, I am even more unstructured. I do things like "I'll run fast where there is no ice on the road" or in the summer "I'll run faster whenever there is shade"--with total disregard to distance, time or V02 capacity. But races are like that too, if you're unfamiliar with the course. You have to be ready to jam on the downhill, take advantage of a curve, or settle in on a long hill. I don't know, all I can say on this -7 degree Monday morning is, I am grateful for the track at BYU. | 