Sprints

Tonight I met the girls and ran sprints. Why oh why did that seem like such a good idea this afternoon?  I know that one thing that makes you a better runner is to run with someone faster than you.  I have loved running with these two girls. I usually can just barely keep up. It has really improved my running.

Tonight we decided that to increase our speed for the half marathon in March, we really need to start sprinting.  I have been doing sprints on the treadmill for a while but sprints on the pavement, in the cold is a whole other situation. 20 seconds fast as we can go, 2 minutes walking. Over and over,  When I was flat out running, the girls shot off and left me like a rocket.  My chest was burning and by the third set, my legs were on fire.

IT KICKED MY BUTT!!! Even now, after a hot bath, four advil and a hot cup of coffee, I can feel an ache in my calves and thighs. Tomorrow I will be sore.  I will be able to tell I went further and harder than I am used to. And that is a good thing.

I remind myself, "If you keep doing what you always do, you will never improve". I think, "If you don't want to look and act middle age, you gotta keep moving."  And when it's all over and the sweat is running into my eyes and my breathing finally returns to normal I say to myself, "Girl, you are mighty fine for 41!"