...and we're back up! This is like mountain running, geez...

After a rough week last week, I seem to have gotten back into shape, quite miraculously. I ended up taking both Tuesday and Thursday (and Sunday!) off, or at least, that's what my log says. I may have forgotten to log a run. Wednesday I did 10x1min hard, 1min easy on the trails on the mountain. I didn't really want to go to the track, even though my thinking was to finish the workout I started on Friday (5x2x400 in 68), so I just opted for something probably fine from a physical point of view, but easier on me mentally.

This Friday I had a great workout after consulting with François, and determining that quality over quantity was what I needed. So I did 4x500 in 1:22,21,22,23, with lots of recovery. I took about 7min between intervals. The first one was the hardest. When I did the 1:23 (and it was 1:23 high) I figured better not to do another one in 1:25, since that would not be the quality I was looking for.

Saturday I was a very good boy and I did what I was told: 15min jog and another 10x1min on/1min off, this time on the trails in Durham, as part of the 5 peaks race. I added on for a total of 1h15. I took Sunday off because Miriam and I were at the cottage and it was too nice to venture out on the road, and Jan said there were lots of bugs. Normally I wouldn't have skipped out on it, but I had done the longer run on Saturday, and again, quality, not quantity.

Monday I did 6x200 with Christina. I let her lead, and gave her a two second head start. She was supposed to run 36 and I was doing 34s. She opened with a 31, pulling me to a 30 flat. Nice. So we settled down after that. I was 30,32,33,33,33,33. Afterwards we did 3x80m FAST. They felt really really good. Not a thing in my hip. I just felt strong and fast the entire way. All systems go!

Yesterday was an easy 30min. It felt good to go for a run, even if it was kinda short and it was supposedly hot outside. I am much better in the heat now. I'm not sure why. I wonder if it has to do with my diet. I used to have a horrible time in the heat, but then, that was when I was a vegetarian. I wonder if eating meat has helped somehow? I could ask Amy, she might know...

So, tonight is the first 1500. I am seeded at 4:18, which is a reasonable estimate, I think. There is a fast group (looks like John Carle is pacing James for a 3:47) with about 3-4 guys under 4min, but then there is a slower group, and they will probably start too fast, so I should have some people to run with for the first bit. It doesn't really matter to me in a 1500. I will run 34s and see where that gets me with 300 to go. I felt very fast on Monday, holding back on those 33s, so I think it will be ok. It will be interesting to see what the turnaround will be like for Saturday night.