Back into the swing.....

Sorry folks, but does anyone else after a race take a bit of a break? My 15 km was last wednesday and I took until after the weekend off. I know, I know maybe a bit too long but is it ok for a bit. Was back at it on Monday and Tuesday with a couple of short runs, about 3 miles and took around 26 mins, than on Wednesday I had a modified stairs class at work. They incorporate stairs with lunges, and kind of a boot camp feel to it. It was pretty good as today I can barely move, quads and legs are really tired plus upper body from some pushups. Tonight was my first night with both the kids alone as my wife and mom went to the Kenny Chesney concert in town tonight. I had a bit of a scare with Emerson (almost 5 months) but got her calmed down enough and back to sleep in time for Blake's (2 yrs) bath and bedtime. Gotta admit I think my wonderful wife has them on a pretty good routine. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and I can relay them. They are two of the happiest kids I know, I know I am a little biased too!! Hope to squeeze in a run tomorrow during the day, on Saturday we have a wedding and Sunday wanted to take it easy but I will definately try to get one in as well. Back at it again on Monday or Tuesday with a long run as well. Let me know what everybody's been up to?

Happy Canada Day!

Well it's Canada Day and what does that mean......that's right my 15 km race this morning. I got up bright and early as I couldn't sleep (does this happen to anyone else before races???). Left my house and took the train to the Legislature grounds where it was being held and got there about 40 minutes before the start, which was good because I didn't know where I was going. Turns out that the 5k and the 15k were starting at the same time and I was near the beginning of the line, where the 5 K'ers were mostly. But I didn't realize this until I started out at a faster pace than I had planned on. I figured I would stay with them for a bit and see how I felt and surprisingly felt really really good all the way through the race (well almost). At the start of the race we went down a big hill to get to the mostly flat course, and subsequently we had to go back up that hill to finish off the race. I passed a couple of people going up and was really pushing it and for a brief second thought I was going to have to stop and either walk or collapse, but I could see the finish and pushed through it. It felt great! My wife and 2 kids (Blake and Emerson) were waiting for me and it felt pretty good to see them, my son (2) had a maple leaf flag tattoo on his face and was pretty excited. I thought that anything under 1:30 was ok, but really wanted to be around 1:23-1:25, I surprised myself with my final time.

Total Distance: 9.28 miles
Total Time 1:17:06
Lap times (1 mile laps):8:07, 8:25, 8:11, 8:21, 8:33, 8:18, 8:10, 8:14, 8:17, 8:58 (final 0.28 mile)

About 1 min/mile faster than I was training, but like I said I felt really good right from the start. I kind of settled with a couple of guys who were at this pace and it stuck with them. I'm a little disappointed in myself as I slacked off on the training but am still pretty ecstatic about my time, next training I will try some speed work (thanks for the advice)!!