Great workout!

Do you ever have those workouts where afterwards you feel "Wow! That was a great workout!"?  Some call it a runner's high, others call it crazy!

I had one of those workouts last night.  It was the final night of hill workouts in our marathon clinic and our coach had "something a little different" planned for us.  Instead of the usual hill fartleks we started with a 1 mile run at tempo speed followed by 5 minutes of active recovery.  Then came 5 hill repeats at tempo speed.  Our hill is probably a little more than a 1/4 mile starting with a moderate incline and finishing with about 50 yards at a steep incline.  After these repeats we had another 5 minutes of active recovery followed by a final mile at a tempo pace at least equal to that of our original mile.  (In my case 7:45)

I'm not sure why this was such a great workout.  Perhaps because the temperature at training time was finally below 80 degrees; perhaps because of the variety;  perhaps it was just one of those days where I felt great.  Nevertheless, these workouts are very encouraging.

Next week another challenge awaits.  We begin 5 weeks of speedwork at the track.  I have done limited track-work in the past, primarily because I find it extremely boring!  Perhaps these workouts will be different because we are in a group setting.
Wish me luck this weekend as I tackle my first of 3 scheduled 20 mile runs.  This weekend I am travelling to visit my parents in Peterborough, ON, approximately 400 miles away.  I have an uncle visiting from Scotland that I have not seen for about 5 years.  I am planning a run on Saturday morning.  The terrain is very different that I am used to.  Our local topography is very flat (like a tabletop!)  The Kawartha Region consists of rolling hills and small lakes with almost no flat areas.  This will make my long run even more challenging!  Hopefully the weather will co-operate and provide me with a less humid day!

Till next time...I am running to feel young.