This is why I run

Run: 20K in 1:53:33. Sluggish at start, comfortable in the middle, pushed it at the end.

It was cold (0.7 degrees) when I was walking the dogs this morning, so I took my time stretching and getting ready, but it was still only 6.1 by the time I got out and started. I had 20K planned, so the course was twice around the tri club 10K loop. As expected, I felt sluggish at first, while I was warming up. I passed the start line where the tri club were running a duathlon, and got a small cheer from the assembled starters. They were to all pass me several times, allowing for mutual encouragement.

I was joined by another tri club member for a few K's. Greg was out for a leisurely 5K, and we chatted for a while before he turned around. I did the first 5K in about 27 minutes, and was well and truly warmed up.

The firt 5K is flat, the last 5K is hilly. By the second 5K I felt comfortable, and I coasted through the hills and hit the 10K mark in about 57 minutes. I still felt good, and I coasted through the next 5K, but I think I slowed a bit (not pushing myself enough), and I didn't really catch the 15K split, but having done the whole run with my heartrate in the high 140s to low 150s and feeling comfortable, I couldn't resist pushing it a bit in the last 5K. The heartrate went up, and the breathing was a bit laboured, but I still felt good. I finished the run in 1:53:33.

This really gives me a buzz. This run was done at 2 hour half-marathon pace, and it was comfortable. To put it in perspective, had I run a half-marathon at this pace, it would be a seven minute PB. I'm amazed at how much my running has improved in the last few months, and I can't wait for the Gold Coast to really smash another PB. I reckon 1:50 is definitely possible.

It was an awesome run on a beautiful autumn morning. I'm now buzzing on endorphins and the knowledge that I'm getting quicker, and I'm not feeling like I've just had a hard session.

Oh, and I slept for six hours last night without chemical assistance!