All Downhill From Here

I didn’t think I would be able to, but somehow the planets aligned and I showed up right on time with the 10k group last night. We warmed up for about a mile, then did few drills, plus some sit ups and push ups.

The group had 3 x 2 mile repeats on the program, which sounded a bit much for my first night back to speed work in almost 4 months. I aimed for 2 x 2 miles, but 3/4 of the way through the first mile decided that 4 x 1mile repeats would suit my present needs much better. Dave was holding back to 1 milers too, so he waited for me at the path markers.

As usual, the first couple of miles took a little adjustment, even though I managed them each in about 10 minutes. The third mile rocked. Even though it had the tiniest uphill grade (it was the reverse of mile 2), I squeezed it out in 9:30. The fourth mile was not too shabby either. I found a rhythm my legs could keep, and although the cardio system protested mightily, I dug in with 400m to go and hung in there for an 8:58 mile. Yay!

I know that I’m supposed to keep repeats to the same times if possible, but it was fun digging that last bit of gumption out at the end.

When I got home from the run, Hubby had barbequed salmon for dinner and had kept a plate ready for me, complete with a nice glass of homemade piesporter. What a sweetie.

Today I didn’t get home from my first day at the new job in time to take Little Runner across town to Orienteering. It was just as well, she had a headache and headed to bed not long after dinner.

Since the sun was still brightly shining, I got the bike out and zipped around Dalhousie’s hills for 35 minutes. I think I’m going to name the bike “Stretch”, because riding it is a stretch out of my comfort zone. I like riding, and being on a bicycle is not new to me, but riding this kind of bike this way, with a triathlon in my sights? That’s a stretch for me. Stretching is good.