Naturally

With the discovery of my 2010 word, "True," I've also found a little more umph in my training. My guess is, without the worries of trying to just finish a race like IMUSA, I have gained some breathing room, allowing me to explore my limits.

For example, my rather bumpy history with running.

This normal childhood milestone seems to have alluded me. I've always been comfortable swimming in the water - no matter how slow. I've jumped crazy waves, barely panicking in riptides. And, in the past few years, I've learned that there is this amazing biking groove - where pedal stroke and power synchronize to meet happiness (as long as it isn't too hilly anyway).

But I have very few recollections of feeling "natural" when running. Glimpses of playing tag or other schoolyard games cross my mind, but are quickly replaced with the lumbering, breathless images that dominate my memories.

During this off-season - and my year of doing races that bring me joy -I've been revisiting running. In some ways - I am trying to relearn to run.

To do this, I've been spending lots of time on the treadmill. I don't really like running on the treadmill, but it has allowed me to set challenging paces while removing the thinking.

Yes, I have to "think" when I run, especially if I am trying to run fast (which really isn't very fast at all).

For quite a few recent workouts, I've let the treadmill think for me. I've set a pace and concentrated on form and relaxing my body.

So far it is working - at least on the treadmill. I've run my fastest 2 miler and 3K - and have come within seconds of my 10K PR.

I know that running outside is different, just like bicycling on the trainer doesn't compare to being on the open road.

But, I am hoping that my mind is working with my body to create a new imprint - one that will result in a very late bloomer learning to run -

...naturally.