A mad runner in the making

Today: 11km
Week: 49km
Month: 82km
Year: 1303km

I crawled out from under my doona (yes it is freezing in our unit) and headed into Sydney park for the cross country run. I was undecided about whether I should do 5km or 7.5km, but after my warm up with Don Juan and the huffing and puffing that resulted I decided on two laps (5km). There was a good turn out, despite the rain- last hit out before Nowra next week. I was feeling nervous about this run as it is the first race since Canberra and the whole slipped pelvis thing.... but I decided to not worry about my time and just be happy that I am running again. Now the course is a 2.5km loop around sydney park and it maanges to include 3 nasty hills. The first one feels like it goes forever, the second is short but really steep and third one is just mean! It was also wet and muddy but the rain was only sprinkling so it was quite nice. My first lap was 12:20 and I had probably run the first hill a bit too hard. The second time around I decided to forget about the time, my goal was too finish without stopping or walking..... as Sean says "There is no stopping in races"- well technically thast is not true, but it is a good philosophy! I felt like I was going backwads up the hills and lets just say my form was not particularly elegant... but hey I have never claimed to be lady like :-) I finished in 25:10 and felt really happy with my effort. The last time I ran this course last year I did 24:10. So after only 3 weeks back into running I am pretty pleased with the time and happy that I did not stop despite my brains best attempts to convince me it would be a good idea. So I have a bit of work to do to get the fitness back but it will happen!

The other exciting news is we bought Ray his new asics and some running shorts today.... and while I was at the cross country he headed out, in the rain to "try them out". Now if thats not a mad runner in the making I don't know what is! I am really proud of him. He started out walking which he built up to 10km most days. Then he started swimming after work..... now running! I hope he will come to the CR challenge and just run/ walk the 5km and then he will have something each month to compare to :-) So it is all happening in the Rowell household.