Friday....Good!?

After completing the around the Bay 5k I came to the conclusion that I might need to start hill training. Its not that I feel I did awful but rather because I am lacking this element I might not be giving myself the extra endurance I need during a race that has hills. I mean this should be part of any training program for runners (and pretend runners)...right? During that race I pushed pretty hard and I have to admit the next day I felt it in that nagging injury from the beginning of March.

This brings me to my next conclusion, that maybe I should not enter races or runs in general that have a hill element to them until I have started to train for them. My thought was at least until my leg is fully healed...that's reasonable isn't it?

As I have said previously, because of my new job it will be difficult to be involved in organized runs this year which is somewhat disappointing. However there will be next year and I believe there might be some opportunities for some one offs this year but I can't count on these. So when a friend suggested that I enter another run on Good Friday it definitely peaked my interest.

 Because of the way I felt after The Around the Bay 5K, I thought I should think about it. And I did but another friend nudged me to sign up...wow...peer pressure to exercise (there is positive peer pressure?)!!!!

Now because of my injury I was really leaning towards passing on this, but because of not being able to run many races this year I really needed to seize the opportunity?!

Wait though...I had a quick look at the course map...I saw that a portion was on North Shore Blvd (this is hilly isn't it?)...so I ask my friend he says no (actually he said he wasn't sure)! OK, perfect no problem...so because I tend to like to verify my information I contact another friend that lives in the area and pleasantly she tells me, "no, its ok..a small hill, you will be ok."...perfect..right? So I thought, and proceed to sign up!!

Thursday arrives and because I am not sure of the route I decide to walk it after work. This is a good idea, right?..plan ahead..know the route?! Right? Well yes it was a good idea because I found out it had 2 hills in the first 1k and then all the way up to the 4k it was a gradual incline (with some small rolling hills).

First thought that comes to mind...I AM DEAD!! I think to myself, this is going to hurt if I push myself, so that night I go home with the thought, I am just going to wake up tomorrow, and worst case scenario, I will run a easy pace, and walk if I have too.

Its funny what a lack of preparation, limited sleep, below average consumption of water and general low self confidence can do; a word like anxiety comes to mind. Or maybe the flight vs fight response is better? Will these feelings help or make an already apprehensive situation worse or better? I think its fair to say usually worse is the norm and possibly the expected but on this Friday...Good Friday...it did not.

As soon as the race started it all went away. It became a blank slate. My mind was clear and free.... does this make sense (maybe this is just corny but I am going with it)?

As an after thought, thinking back, I wonder... Is this fight mode? Who knows but I was moving and my mind was empty other than my music and the navigation required at the beginning of a race.

On the second turn (about 750m in), I suddenly hear my name yelled! "

"Guenther!!!"

I look up and it was two friends (husband and wife)...side note, this is the friend who told me no problem in regards to the hills. So as I said, I look up I see them and they are sporting bunny ears and cheering me on! Next was truly a feeling of energy spurred on by great people just being kind and positive! What a great feeling!!

I won't bore you with the rest but I would like to say I stayed fully engaged through the rest of the race and most remarkably...PAIN FREE! (current thought to self..why?) I just ran my race and I am happy to say, I ran another PB, and it was on a hill course. My new best 5k time is now 31:12 min/sec with an average pace of 6:14 per km.

I had hoped to break 31 minutes during The Around the Bay 5k, and I am now more than happy to have only missed it by 12 seconds on a hill course. Because of this hill success my flat 5k has to be even better and not let me down, and hopefully that fear, will raise me to the next level!

I leave you with a picture that those two friends frantically were able to capture as I ran by! What a Good Friday!