All hail Queen Helen...the monkey is dead!!

Today: 14km
Week: 47km
Month: 31km
Year: 393km

It was Lane Cove 10km Striders this morning and my only goal today was to improve on my 48:14 PB. Helen had agreed to run with me as she is still recovering from nasty shin splints. Firstly I want to say a huge thanks to her!! It is so nice to have someone give up there own race to help you acheive your own goal. I felt nervous at the start because not only was I putting pressure on myself but Sean had said to me on thursday after training that a PB was in order. The aim was to not thrash the first 5kms too hard and then do a negative split. There were heaps there this morning and the start felt a little like a city to surf start :-) I had told Helen my goal was to do 4:45/km and anything better would be a bonus. We ran the first km in 4:45 and I was stoked! I got into a comfy pace and just sat behind Helen who kept a close eye that I did not slip behind. Scribbly felt fine and I got a good laugh from one of the girls near by who said "wow the turn around already!!" hehe I just kept going. I love the down hills so made sure I made up for lost time from the ups. We got to the 2nd hill and I really struggled on the up. It felt like harder work than it should have!! My hamstrings actually felt a bit tired.... not sure why? Anyhoo we turned around and I again made up for pathetic up with a faster down. How good would it be if you were good at the ups and downs!! I was pleased to see the 5km split was 23:51. Helen kept encouraging me to just maintina my pace. When we got to the 7km mark she said we had a pb in the bag if I just kept it constant. I was finding any little incline hard today and I sounded like I was having an asthma attack. Haha once I reassured Helen would not drop dead she said " I know how much you want this, try to pick it up". I was so happy to get to the 9km mark and know it was just 2.5 laps of Mckay to go! I can do this!!! Now I got excited.... I tried to pick someone up front and reel her in. I was so happy to see the finish and crossed the line in 47:30. Woo Hoo!!! The monkey is dead! I was ecstatic.... it is a nice feeling to run a good race! Average pace 4:44/km. It is very exciting to be able to run a faster 10km with all the km's we are running at the moment.... very noice! Hmmm still no heaving.... maby Homebush :-)

splits: 4:45, 4:28, 4:51 (scribbly), 4:38, 5:07 (hill), 4:41, 4:36, 4:38, 4:50 ( started my usual I am tired crap), 4:30, 22secs.