The Road is Callin'

 I did something today I haven't done in 5 long months:

 Speedwork.

 I remember the first time I did speedwork. I was completely new to running, having only 2 5ks under my belt. I posted a question to my online running-group site about what I should do to get faster. Intervals were suggested. I decided on 4x800. I did them, and it was the hardest I'd breathed and the most I'd suffered since giving birth to my daughter the previous year. I remember that I ran them at a little more than 8:00 pace. It took me another 3 months to actually run a 5k that averaged under 8:00 per mile. And I never ran a 5k that slow since.

My, how times have changed. Secondly, thank God for muscle memory. 

I just came off a 5 month injury, and most of it was spent not running. I ran 5x800 this morning at a 6:58 average pace, with a lot less suffering than those 4 first intervals 3.5 years ago. 

I did not expect to be able to keep up the sub-7:00 pace, but it was comfortable throughout. In fact, I'd only planned on 4 intervals, but after the 4th one, things felt too easy. My rule is: you should end with the sense that you could do one more interval if you had to, but you shouldn't feel like you could keep going indefinitely. In this case, I was too comfy with the 4. So I did 5 repeats. Even then, I felt like I could have done a couple more. But I'm coming off an injury; I have to be careful whether I want to or not. 

It was... oh, God, I can't even tell you how good it was. I felt good. I felt strong. Mentally, physically, everything. For the most part, I dislike the treadmill, but today, it hardly registered. I was in my own world, in a trance. Though I was at the Y during the busiest part of the day, the people around me just sort of floated around in hazy forms. It was just me and the 'open road' and I was flying and all was well. 

In fact, I feel a strength and stability I didn't have BEFORE. That's a weird thing to experience, coming off a long injury. But I think it's the strength training and weight-lifting. I distinctly feel a power coming from my hips and core that is new to me. Even more telling are the places I'm getting sore. Previously, I always had sore calves and quads after a hard speed workout. Now, the primary spots of muscle fatigue are in my butt, adductors, hamstrings, and hips. What I take away here is that the work I'm doing is making a difference, and the muscles that I need to activate for better running economy (hammies, glutes) are firing.  That explains the feeling of power and centered-ness from my core. Strength training, FTW! 

I had no IT band pain during. Nor after. Nor since. I rubbed stuff down with an ice bottle tonight just to be safe, but everything feels fine.

I've been on a euphoric cloud for the rest of the day. And it's another confirmation of what I know to be true deep down, no matter what other sports and activities I put my hand to. Running is for me. Running IS me. Given the heartaches running has caused me, I'm not sure that this knowledge is a good thing. Kind of like realizing you are in love with the bad boy, the player, the heartbreaker... but not being able to help yourself. Running still gives me chills and weak knees. Running makes my heart race. Running is my true love. 

"Don't look back,
A new day is breakin'
Oh, it's been so long since I felt this way.
I don't mind
If I get taken
The road is callin'
Today is the day."