Speed and Hills

As I was finishing up the tenth hill repeat tonight, I realized this is why I joined a running group. There is no way I would have done that on my own! Maybe four. Actually, this was a good hill workout for me, because it went by time rather than distance. After a warmup, we reached the practice hill. We were to run up as far as we could in 75 seconds, getting our heart rate up to 85% of max. Then turn around and run downhill for 75 seconds. Repeat 5 times, then take a 2 minute walk to recover. Then repeat 5 more times and run back to the club. The goal as you ran uphill was to keep reaching the same place on the hill before the 75 seconds were up. For the most part, I was able to do that.

The group I was with had several runners. Most of them went much farther up the hill then I did before it was time to turn around, and at the bottom of the hill I think I got in their way because they always had to pass me. I felt a little bad about it, but it's my training too. I try to be considerate, but stop short of standing still to let them all pass.

On Monday we did speed work: after warming up, 5 minutes at 75% HR, 5 minutes slow running to recover, then repeat. We only had to do 4 sets, which was fine because we ran on the limestone trail and it was all muddy from the rapidly melting snow. My shoes look like they belonged to a trail runner, rather than a road runner. But it sure was nice to be running in daylight. Goodbye headlamp and reflective vest. Hello shorts and sunglasses. I love the early Daylight Saving Time!

All this training makes me feel like a jock. On Sunday I'm running an 8K race--the Human Race in St. Paul. Last year I PRd; I hope I can do as good or better this year.