Ok so today I was NOT planning on running. This turned out initially to be pretty good because when I awoke there was a thunderstorm! I am thinking great, roll back over and get some more zzzzzzz's :-) and I did!
My goal was to take an easy day and prep/rest for my long run tomorrow. I packed my gym bag just to mess around in the gym (i.e. stretch & walk on the treadmill). This would work well since I only had an hour. HOWEVER, I walk into the gym and THE "running group" was assembling at the front door. Keith gives me this big smile and says COME on Kev... we are about to go!!! I could not say no... just couldn't. I equate this to being asked to play B-ball with your older brother when you were a kid... you knew you would be demolished but had to take the opportunity to play!!
As it turns out today was a great day to get out and run. Probably about 68 deg. Sunny with a very light breeze. I was very nervous getting out with this group because as stated earlier they move out... much faster than my typical 10 min. per mile pace. My goal was to run for about 2 miles with them and then find some short cuts back to the YMCA. ;-)
Well I got started and sure enough we were moving at about a 7 min. 45 sec. mile pace. I was good to go for about 2 miles but between miles 2-2.5 I could feel my body getting winded. But I kept pushing....At this point I was definitely at the back of the pack but some good tunes started coming on and I started feeling better sort of like I reached the top of a hill and now I was on the down side!
As I started to feel better I noticed some of the other runners slowing down... I felt this was my opportunity and forwarded to my favorite song to keep my momentum. I then started to reel them in and passed about half of the pack. I continued to think that they would pass me at any moment, although I maintained my "center" position in the group (which I am ecstatic about) until the end of the 5 mile run. I enjoy running with others because it makes you push a little harder than I typically would. Often I have been wondering if my running has had any positive results but today confirmed that I am indeed making positive progress!!
This is a good group for me to continue to target to run with as they have slow and fast runners (i.e. sub 7 min. runners). I am planning on trying to run with them one day a week for the next few weeks and then increase the days over time until I can run with them every day
:-)
Kevin | 