Late to the Party

Today Hubby and I ran the ATC Rocks and Roots 5K today and it was a first.  We both placed 2nd in our age group.  I am pretty happy because it was a super tough run.  It was trail run with this monster hill at 1.5 miles that went up about 1/2 mile.  I am still struggling with this sinus infection and cough so breath support was really tough.  I had to stop and walk up part of the hill to catch my breath.  Hubby said if you had not walked you would have placed first again in your AG.  I said maybe not.  If I had not walked I am pretty sure I would either still be laying in the woods with hypothermia or we would just now being pulling in from the ER after my breathing treatment.  But sweet he thinks I am invincible, even after 20 years together.

Hubby was ahead of me.  I already had decided I wasn't in tip top condition and I wanted him to run on his own.  He is a much better trail runner.  I get in my head about the terrain, etc.  Plus have been coming back from being sick.  Definitely felt that out there today.  When I wasn't contemplating whether anyone behind me was running with oxygen I could borrow; I pushed as hard as my body would let me.  I ended with not too bad a time.  I was behind hubby by about a minute.  In fact he was at the drink table figuring with the tough course and my ailments I was probably a good Powerade, bagel, and brief nap away.  His face was kind of priceless when I walked (okay stumbled) up to the drink table. (Oxygen deprivation will do that.)

On the way home we decided we need to try and do a little more speed work and are going to commit to fitting that in once a week.  It will help on tough courses like today.  Hubby was mentioning that he is not as fast as when he was younger.  Yeah I married a former Jock.  Who would have thought?  I think that is the advantage for me.  He was saying it is all downhill for him now that he is older.  I said "you peaked to early.  If you were like me, the 20 minute mile bookworm, who spent all of her time avoiding the hill you would be peaking now."  I try not to think about the fact that if I can do this at 43 and I had applied myself at all with a younger body I might also be lamenting lost speed.  Oh well better late to the party than to not show at all!!