Redemption Runs

I'm starting a new tradition on Fridays that I like to think of as Redemption Runs. These are short (2-3 mile) but hard effort runs that make me feel better about my knee situation. Last week it was up and down my favorite hill. This week it was out and back in 20mph wind.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you about yesterday's easy four. Our running group has been meeting at 5pm. It's REALLY difficult to get there at this time, but we are trying to beat the sunset. Only three of us had shown up by 5pm/ We have a 'five minute rule' meaning that we don't start until 5 minutes after. This week three people showed up at about 7 or 8 minutes after. Of course, we didn't know that at first, because we took off at 5 minutes after.

The first person caught up to the group right away. The second person didn't know which route we were taking and never caught up because she went the wrong way. The third person chased us down, but we didn't see her until we got to the turn point. I certainly wasn't going to leave her out there on her own! So I slowed down, waited, and ran back at her pace. I also told her that I'd run with her on Saturday if she'd agree to run on dirt. Deal made.

Also, we decided that we should move the meeting time back to 5:15. That will make a world of difference to those who are struggling to make it at 5pm and still keep us running in daylight.

That gets us back this morning's redemption run. The path I took was somewhat of an L shape. The first part was slightly downhill with the wind at my back. Then onto a dirt portion with a crosswind. Turn around, still on dirt with a crosswind. Then slight uphill into the wind. And a little extra at the end for a cool down.

It's necessary to understand the route to make sense of the half mile splits. At first glance, it looks like I went out too fast, but knowing that the first half mile was downhill with the wind at my back, and the 4th half mile was uphill into the wind paints a different story. I'm actually quite pleased with how this run turned out.

So there you have it. A successful run (on many fronts) last night and a decent redemption run this morning. I'm ready for the weekend!