Super excited about vacation. Started with a 5k yesterday, one with bling for finishers–a rarity. Got to see a buddy that I haven’t seen in months and catch up. Flat course, which I usually don’t like (I’m awesome on downhills and can use them to my advantage) but I’ve been running a lot of flats lately so I’m improving on them. Got one of my best times this year (though still a LOT of work to do to get where I want to be running wise). I can honestly say this was the first race this year that I actually felt like a runner, I didn’t feel like an impostor at the start line. It’s all coming back to me and I feel like I’m coming back better than before. Previously my pace–the pace my body would naturally settle into–was always around 11:30 (min/mile). These days, when I’m running my body has been pushing more and more into the 10s. I might eventually slow into the 11s and 12s near the end of an interval (and definitely near the end of the run), but I’m consistently hitting 10s without trying or thinking about it, and it feels really good. It feels right and completely natural. So I’m going with it. I need to push more to lengthen my intervals, but I’m happy with where my pace is settling.
One cool thing about catching up with my buddy was pre-race pics–I’m not good at selfies (and I’m kind of a loner so I don’t think to ask someone to take a pic for me), so I don’t tend to bother with pics when I’m racing by myself. But my buddy and I always snap pics for each other. If I doubted progress, I can’t anymore. The one on the right is from May, the one on the left from yesterday.
As with running–still a lot of work to do to get where I want to be, but significant progress in the right direction. I’m enjoying the process though. Especially the running. I have my zest for life back, I want to run all the time. I start getting antsy if I go more than 2 days without a run (even when I’m doing other workouts). The thing I’m looking most forward to this week of vacation is running a LOT. Most days of the week. And wine. Really looking forward to wine.
Finishing off with another pic–not one of my favorite pictures of me, but I LOVE that I have a race photo where I got air! Doesn’t happen often that photogs get me with both feet off the ground. (And I swear I don’t heel strike, my foot flattens before I land):
Happy Monday, friends. May or may not post on Wednesday–we’ll be vacationing so we’ll see how the week is going and if I feel like doing it. Back for Friday’s check-in though. Goal for the week is to maintain, if I manage to lose awesome.