My Own Cheering Section
"Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry Van Dyke
A damp dreary start to the day told me to roll over and sleep in an extra hour before I headed outside for my hill workout. Its always hard to figure out how to dress this time of year. On the one hand, you don't want to overdress and overheat and you also don't want to be cold on your workout. I decided to dress a bit lighter since I was driving to the location and would be close to the car if I needed to add some clothes. Today's workouts were hills and core. I ran the 1.5 mile warm up on the flat path. Tried to get my legs loose. They were a bit tight from yesterday and I didn't want to pull a muscle so I went a bit slower than usual to make sure that the legs were warm and ready to go. Set was 4x half mile. Started my half just before the mile marker at Poplar and headed to the water tower for the half way point. My goal was to go up hard (85-90%) (4' in length) then an EZ down. On the 2nd and 4th set I was to run hard 2' down hill then finish EZ. Half mile cool down.
My HR range for 85-90% is 148-166. Wind was blowing out of the East (in my face as I climbed the hill). Too bad for the wind, I wasn't going to let it get to me or be an excuse for lack of performance.
My HR started at 121 and started to climb as I began the workout. The avg. pace for my first half mile was 8:07 and HR was 151. I ran one more at an 8:07 and 2 at an 8:10. Got my heart rate up to 154. This is one of those indifferent days. I worked so hard to try and hit an 8 min pace, but I just couldn't get there. I felt like my legs were turning over fast, and I was running strong but I just couldn't hit that mark. I was within the range, but I really wanted that 8 minute pace on this hill. Looks like I will have to work harder during the week so I can achieve this goal the next time I come out.
The best distraction to this activity was this cardinal that was perched on a tree branch by the side of the road. I could tell when I was getting close to my mark because I would hear him singing. It didn't matter how many times I came charging up the hill, he stayed right on that branch and kept on sining. It was almost as if I had my own cheering section. Every time I heard him, thoughts of Spring would go through my mind. Now, if only he could get his friend "Mr. Sun" to come out and play. Then, I would be really happy.
Finished my hill work, did my cool down and headed to the Courts so I could do my 30 min. core routine. The gym was packed with weekend warriors. I grabbed a mat, started my Boston play list on my iPod joined the troops and started my workout. Thirty minutes later I was done, hungry and anxious to get home and see my family. Another workout in the books. And now that I am tired it will definitely be a great day for a nap!
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