Except, the problem is there is so much information out there, and it finally got to a point where I realized I could spend the next 4 months trying to work it out on my own and possibly never get anywhere, or I could pay someone to filter the information for me and help me figure out what would work. After selling my car, fitting it into my budget was no longer a problem, so I went for it. I'm doing online coaching, so we'll see how it goes. So far, I'm happy with it - we've sent some e-mails back and forth, and I've got a schedule that'll hold me until the end of February. I'm really excited about working with her going forward, and I'm really excited about not having to think too hard about my training (especially given how hard they're making me think at work these days!).

However, the big change? Has been slowing down. Like, a lot. Normally, when I head out for a run, I'll settle into a natural pace. Lately, since I lost some fitness over the holidays, it's been around 11:00/mile. The pace I'm supposed to be doing most of my runs at? 12:00 - 12:30/mile.

Now, I've heard from all sorts of people that slowing down to speed up really works. It does. I believe this. But there is still something a little depressing about knowing that your 4 mile run is going to take almost 50 minutes. Especially when said 4 mile run is on a treadmill. This week, my life has been saved by my iPod and podcasts, because it gives me something to concentrate on the whole time. Even so, I almost didn't make it through the 4 miles on Tuesday. It was killer. But I did it. I'm going to use this as a lesson in mental strength.

And here's the weird thing: on my own, would I ever slow down to a 12:30 pace, even though I know I should and it'll be good for me in the long run (it's like my running vegetables!)? Heck no. But if someone tells me, "Dawn, you need to slow your runs down. Yes, that much. Yes, really. Yes, I know it will make a 4 mile jaunt on the treadmill soul-crushingly long... do it anyways. It'll be good for you. Builds character and all that." then, well, I'll do it. Especially if I'm paying them to tell me that. (Also, for the record, my coach did not use the words "builds character" or "soul-crushing". She just told me to make sure I followed her pace guidelines.)

So, will all of these soul-crushingly slow treadmill runs make me a better runner? I hope so! I guess we'll find out in May.