Hey! A top 10 for Charlie. I would say that speed work really paid off!
Dictating this on my drive home from Billings, Montana, and my 35-yr high school reunion. Ran 10 miles yesterday along the Yellowstone River in 55- degree splendor on a trail did not exist in my youth. I am not one to praise the Lord for my athletic talent or good (or ill) health, but in that moment I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the majesty and abundance of simple daily living. And I felt a renewed commitment to make my own life an object of praise through Service to others.
I’ll be interested to know if I put on any weight during this trip, as I watched my diet pretty carefully and was running around with reunion details as one of the organizers, but drank more beer in three days than I usually do in six weeks. The bartender at the reunion gave me a hot tip that corona is testing a beer that is even thinner than Michelob ultra. I’ve tasted Corona so I believe it.
I know there are fantastic trails south of Rapid City, but time constraints dictated that I run in town. Fortunately there is a very nice albeit concrete running path along side Rapid Ck where I ran both Friday and this morning.
This group has encouraged me to focus on progressions in every run, and I can already see the difference. I think the biggest adjustment has been psychological, and it really helped me through a hard 10 K repetition drill this morning. In the past when I saw my range as 606-614, I would immediately aim for the low end. Today, with a tired body and a long run just 24 hours earlier, I eased into this work out and had splits of 615, 613 , 610, and 605. Interval recoveries were excellent and I could easily have done more.
I am excited at the prospect of being fit enough to compete in that event next year. Congratulations to KP and 63, whoever you are, and may everyone’s reunions this week be joyful!