The Begining of Confession's of a coach

Tips from the Top:I was thinking that with all the hard workouts Runwell Runners have been doing lately, including: hill work, track work, and tempo runs, that I would pass along my running mistakes and solutions.
I've been running consistently for years now. No layoff's, no life getting in the way, or any other excuses to miss my workouts. Running 4-6 times a week, rain or shine! I read about running all the time. I'm continuously trying to learn how to improve myself to become a stronger, faster, and smarter runner. And still at times, okay, a lot of times I have made rookie mistakes, from starting out to fast, to not fueling my body properly. My latest mistake was forgetting everything I've learned like - running several hard runs in a row. I'm not going to mention several of the rookie mistakes I made in the Batten 5k as well as not fueling my body...like a runner.
My goal this season is to become Boston Qualified by the end of the year-yikes. That means I have to get faster in order for me to make that dream a reality. I will really need to up my training by running more, running faster, and improve the weakest part of my program by fueling my body like a smart runner.
My first thought about my new goal is this is a little crazy. No, really it's very crazy! I know better than this. How can I get a little faster - ASAP? I know. I need to drop 10 lbs. That's right, losing weight means you get faster! Right? So, I went on this crazy, not so runner friendly diet. A friend of mine is a former Body Builder, who trains the Arnold Schwarzenegger way. My friend had me go from a runner who eats fish, chicken, veggie, fruits, rice, and pasta to a red meat eater with no fruits, no pasta, and very little veggies. Now, I might eat red meat once a year, if that. The results are that I have not lost one ounce and I'm running out of gas during my runs! The truth about weight loss is to eat smart and to exercise regularly. Not anything new here! Eat smart! If you are a runner, then eat like a runner. Well, a smart runner. What that means is just because I've run a few miles that I can't go eat burgers, fries, or bacon dipped in chocolate and not pay the price. Eat like a smart runner!
My turning point - I did my regular TNT (Tuesday Night Track Work with Coach Phelan) and I was ready to break into tears. I struggled much harder than I needed to. Still, not understanding my problem, I emailed a running friend with my dilemma. His response back made me see everything I was doing wrong. He said I was exhibiting signs of physical breakdown - not mental but physical. It was nice of him to leave out the mental. As I was reading his email, I wanted to slap myself in the forehead...Duh, I could have had a V8. I was not practicing what I preach!
So, now for the tips from the top, which this week are not coming from me because I have not been a smart runner lately. The good news is I really know this stuff. I have fueled and trained myself properly before and the results...I reached my goals! I was trying to take a shortcut to reach my goal. Once again, there are no short cuts. You get out of running what you put into it. It is just that simple. That includes training, speed work, hill work, rest, and Fueling your body!