Weather - 50 degrees, sunny, windy. My body and mind were desiring a workout of high intensity, a challenge of the spirit, and fortunately, a hard hill workout and bike intervals were planned for the day. While sitting at my desk at the park district I could feel the excitement in my blood growing as each hour passed. 30 minutes before punch-out I began to visualize the hill, running in the sun, feeling my heart working to maximum capacity. It is a feeling of peculiar satisfaction to yearn for something which will tax all of my resources, and still, to have the confidence that I am ready for the challenge. I ran an easy 2 miles to the arboretum, stretched a bit, set my watch, and began the workout. I started at the ball diamond backstop and ran 100M at 5K pace to the base of the hill, then bounded up the 100M hill on the odd intervals, and ran up at race pace on the even intervals. After cresting the top I ran 150M full speed down the hill, trying to get my leg turnover going as fast as possible. I jogged 350M to the backstop, and repeated the sequence 18 times. When finished I was not tired, but rather refreshed, ready for more work. Without a break I jogged 1.5 miles to Cardinal, got on the stationary bike, and did bike interval session #7. I once again increased the wheel tension past the previous workouts setting, with short rest periods of 30-60 seconds. When I got to the final interval I tried setting it at level 26, but found that 25 was the highest tension possible. I laughed, and ripped through level 25, pedaling with all my strength, sweat dripping onto the bike, my breath heavy and audible. Upon finishing I still felt strong, ready for more running. Thinking this not wise, I did 5 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 10 minute walk home. I believe I have reached a new fitness plateau. I can't recall feeling such strength and stamina, being able to complete hard workouts with a pleasant mixture of exhaustion and strength. This is good.... #150 z.m. = #64
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