Over the past few weeks I have really started to notice a difference in my energy levels and endurance while exercising. I know it has only been 5 weeks, but 5 weeks 5 days a week is starting to add up! Today I did the Pinery Run - 5k - but they changed the course due to 'upgrades' and construction going on the usual course. Last year I was on pace to have a great finish - but half way through I tore my calf muscle. As a result, my finishing time wasn't really reflective of the practice/training I had put in.
So I was a little nervous this year, but figured that my past few weeks would help me through. The course was a lot different this year. It was almost 90% hills - mostly small and relatively manageable - so that was a good thing. I downloaded a bunch of new songs and created a new play list on my iPod so that I wasn't using my usual one, hydrated myself (a little too well as it turns out) and headed out. The first 1k was essentially up hill the whole way - but since it was an out and back course (meaning that you hit 2.5k and turn around to come back) that meant that the final km was going to be downhill :)
The park was beautiful...the leaves were all changing but hadn't yet fallen - and when I was finally out of the rush of the initial start (with 600-700 other runners) it was a gorgeous day for a run! I still haven't mastered my 'pace' yet, so I found myself out of breath a couple of times - trying to keep up with people in front of me. It was mainly my ego getting in the way as runner after runner passed me. But by about 1k I found my stride and I had a pretty good momentum going.
I still felt strong as I high-fived Tracy on her way back (for what would turn out to be a THIRD PLACE FINISH for her...yeah Tracy!!!) and I knew that I was much further along than when we did the same thing last year which helped me along as well. I skipped the water station on the way out, but caught it on the way back - BEST. WATER. EVER. The rest of the race consisted of numerous conversations with myself to try to convince myself 1) that I didn't have to pee 2) that I didn't need to walk; and 3) that this really was the last hill before the rest of the course was downhill. By the time I saw the 4k marker I was pretty ready for a strong finish - all downhill!!
Tracy met me at the top of the final hill, all smiles, to let me know that I was on track to finish with a personal best. So she, Brandon and Ben ran with me for the final few 100 meters with shouts of support and helping to a strong finish!! And I forgot to look at my time as I crossed the line - but I know it was a personal best for a race by at least 1:30 mins!!!!! Even with all the hills :)
I am very happy with my finish...it certainly isn't what people 'normally' do 5k in, but I am not so much in it for the time as the improvement in how I feel. Like for instance, I feel like I could have done more today (not much more) but when I finished my last race - Dennis was pretty sure I didn't even breathe for the last 200 meters. I didn't have anything left at the end of that race, but I did today so that makes me happy! There is even talk of doing another 5k next weekend through Masonville (nice and flat for the most part)....anyone care to join??
I should also mention that although I am still at -9lbs (-9.2 actually), that two people this weekend commented on how different my face looked. Thinner. Super awesome!
Week 6 starts tomorrow and I am already looking forward to it.
1 comment:
good for you!!!!! :)
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