Running was NEVER my thing. I would have thought this would be my most difficult sport...but not so! Swimming is the toughest even though 40 years ago, I was on the park district swim team and took a life guard course! And...I never took up running until now at age 52! I've been working hard at it and I'm shocked to say, I'm having fun!
Ssshhhhhh.... I've looked up a couple of friends who ran races (5Ks) in the past few years to see their times. I'm competing against them but the don't know it! I figure I need something to beat...why not a friend!
Last week (end of March '08) in the Tri Training Class, we ran from the Fry YMCA to the McDonald's on Hwy. 59. It's about a mile and a half one way... so almost a 5K. We did Indian Sprints on the way up (where several runners run in a row at a steady pace...the one in back sprints to the front and now sets the pace...this keeps going...next back runner sprints forward, etc., etc. EXHAUSTING!) and then just jogged back. The sprints were VERY tiring! After me running to the front 5X I gasped, "I have to walk!" Ken, the leader of my SLOW group, said to the other two gals, "You two go on ahead...I'll stay back with her (I'm truly the grandma of the group!). The other two gals (in their 30s) gasped, "No....no....we need to walk too!" See what competition does? You get a few people together, and no one wants to admit they are tired! Anyway...after that little walk, we just jogged the rest of the way and I did fine. In fact, we did the 3 miles in exactly 30 min. My best time ever! Since then, I've been doing a 3.1 in 33 min. Not bad for an old lady who has never jogged before!!!!
We are on Spring Break this week...but I have NOT stopped training. I'm spending more time in the pool since this is my weak sport. It is slowly getting better... Not panicking for air like I had, but still am beat after a 50 yard stint... Good grief! How ever will I do a half mile!
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