A little of this and a little of that

04/29/09 - Swim and Run

Today I got in a couple of workouts, but noticed they were just a little shorter than normal. I got to the pool at the regular time, but I'm not sure what happened... I somehow came up about 100m short of my normal distance, and I was doing sprints! Hmmm.... It was a good swim though, nice and fast. I kept my 100m sprints at 1:40 on the nose, and my 50m sprints between :35-:45. I had a little variation in the 50m because I realized that I should slow it down just a hair to be sure I could get all 10 in at the same time. I finished with a lot of energy left, so maybe next time I'll just stick with the :35 pace.

That night, I skipped out on our Cross Fit because I've really been wanting to join our Wed. Night Group Run. This is a group of runners from my Tri team, a run team, a 1oK training team, and some stragglers. My friend and fiance are both in the 10K race training group, and I kind of expected that these lead runs would be filled with insightful tips.... not quite the case! We got there, did a couple of stretches and then the coach spoke some words of wisdom, "Ok, let's run!"

Everyone took off. I was with my friend and this was her first run, and I was shocked! They didn't talk about pacing, about form, or even how long or where to run! We were on a path that runs along the ocean cliffs in Santa Cruz, so it would be hard to get lost, but a little direction would have been nice. I ran with my friend, trying to help her find a good run/walk pace. I've been in her position, even less fit than she is, and I know how hard these initial runs are. You go all out for a couple minutes and then kill yourself for the rest of the run. I noticed that there weren't any other newbies on this run, so I'm guessing that they got scared off by their own crushed egos.

We made the best of it though, and had a great run! I tried to help slow down the pace and keep up the conversation. It was nice for me to spend the evening with a great friend, and I was filled with excitement to see that yet another person close to me is starting on their own running adventure. It's been such a positive impact on my life, I can't wait to see how it manifests itself in hers. I think the hardest run are during the first couple of weeks... your body yells at you for putting it through an unfamiliar torture, but she killed it. She was calm and fluid, and I can see great achievements in her future.

This friend and my fiance are training for the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf 10k, which is a race from Santa Cruz to Capitola along the ocean, that is literally one big party! I can't wait to do it with all my friends!