The Running Diva

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Check out this article on Coach O’Cal!

Juice and I met Dave and Syl at Lochside school. We ran the warm-up from there going along the Lochside trail for a bit before running through the back-end of Mt. Doug to the spot where we were to meet Coach O’Cal (and Paddy) and Ian. The sun was shining and it was warm out making the run I did less than twelve hours ago seem like a long-ago (bad) dream. Today’s  session was 6 x the 1 km hill. I thought we were to do just four repeats but I must have misread the instructions (or subconsciously tried to get out of doing six!). My legs were still feeling a bit blah. Juice and Syl started up the first climb, with me following them and then Dave and Ian after me. The trail was muddy and so slippery, it as almost comical. We were sliding around, slipping backwards on nearly every step. O’Cal called out, “Enjoy the mud!” right. The repeats were slower than the last time because of the footing so I made up for it by keeping the breaks shorter getting back to the bottom of the hill as quick as I could. Paul and Paddy were there waiting for me on every repeat going up the long, muddy stretch. Paul ran just in front, calling words of encouragement while Paddy jumped up and down, with endless energy nipping playfully at Paul’s hand. He was completely unaware we were running uphill…I really wish I had four legs.

The repeats were: 4:50-4:46-4:47-4:44-4:48-4:41. The last one was a brute but I had Paul with me right to the top. We were both bent over gasping when we finished! I was pleased with today’s effort. I wasn’t too convinced I would have a good wo especially after yesterday’s run and after a bigger week of training. I was worried I wouldn’t be up for all six but did ok. O’Cal is toughening me up! Thanks Chops for showing up to cheer us all on! Juice and Syl had good wos too. No wreckage on the trails today!

Paul went back home to watch a ‘crackin’ Villa match’ while the rest of us ran back to Lochside school. We met at the Broadmead Bucky’s where Syl bought us a round of french press coffee…mmm!

I got in a lie-down  (recovery!) before heading over to Island Runner to have a visit with Phil and Cheryl. Slaw and Binder happened to be there buying shoes. Phil fitted me with a new pair of Adidas track spikes. I will be very careful getting into these suckers this year. Thanks Phil!

It was Ased’s b-day today and Ian’s yesterday so Juice and I met them and others at the Canoe Club for a celebratory dinner. I have to get up early for a long trip to Merville tomorrow morning. I have to run one more race for the Island series. Paul said if I promise to run 4:10-4:15/km pace, I could do it as part of my long run.