We ran to cottonwood complex and did 10 hill strides, then ran back along 9th to 9th then up the hill to the track. Going there I just focused on trying to stay with the group, after about 2.5 miles I started to fall off. But I still kept pushing, resisting the really strong urge to slow down. Then when we got there Anders and I nearly turned around and went back the same way, but then we saw Bill and Abigail. We waited a bit for everyone else to come. Then we did 10 strides up the hill right at the start of regions (just before roller-coaster) except not quite on the course. We jogged back down the hill for recovery. During these strides I didn't really want to do them and didn't have the greatest attitude, I was thinking about the way back and how horrible that was going to be. Then when Bill said I needed to "be the first girl" on the last 2, I realized what I was doing and pushed those last 2. Then we ran back a different way to make it flatter. Except for the big hill on 9th. (notice how there usually always is an exception?) I tried to catch the front group for a while, then stay with them once I did. I fell off of them though, but I forced myself to keep going and tried not to slow down. At first I hated everything because I really didn't want to do another 5.5 miles. But I decided to take 1 mile at a time, and that helped A LOT. I remember thinking "wow I'm already at 9.5 miles." When I saw the bridge I was so happy! Then just up to the track. Considering it was monday, I'm happy with this run.
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