Well-deserved rest

I feel like I broke through a wall. I've never run a four hour training run prior to yesterday. And I did it without music. I'm putting the Ipod away. I felt much more connected mentally, physically and relaxed without the music distracting me from the trail. It rained on us pretty much the whole time. But the day was warm enough to be pleasant. The trail is at it's greenest and in parts growing into the trail. It's a trip to be running through such a lush forest. We did an out and back on the Germantown side of Wildwood which is in no way as hilly as the Pittock Mansion (race start) side. All we can do is chip away at the distance and run with what we got on June 23.

My assessment center, assuming I did well enough on the test, will be the week of June 25 so hopefully I won't be hobbling into the room full of out-of-town Chiefs to explain why I would be a good leader. Keep you posted.

Mother's Day

Morning. It's 8:10am. I'm supposed to be studying. I've repeated this phrase countless times in the past three months. In two days I won't have to say it anymore, let alone act on it. The three months preparing for the Captain's exam has been not unlike training and racing in an Ironman. It has felt long, arduous, tiring and painful at times. And even though the finish line is in my sight. The finish line is not really the point. The point is what are you going to do when you get there?

After the test on Tuesday I will re-engage in my Ultra Marathon Training. I'll take a week off from preparation for the promotional process then begin again- this time for the Assessment Center. The assessment center is a half-day of scenario-based testing given by a contractor hired by the city. The contractor hires officers and Chiefs from surrounding departments to score candidates on our answers. If you are not prepared, it can be very stressful. If you've given the position a lot of thought, practiced your tactics and oral resume and have an idea of your leadership style and philosophy AND can brush aside the inevitable nerves it can be fun. I just keep telling myself this.

The sun has finally been covered with clouds. The week and a half off from work has been restful if not productive. These next two days will cement what I have absorbed and I will be ready for the written test. Then I will return to more physical endeavor posts. Thanks. k