The week of magical running

From a running perspective, last week was fantastic.

On Tuesday afternoon I did a workout around my usual 510-meter loop at Cal Anderson Park: 1530m, 2 x 1020m, 3 x 510m. I wanted to run the 1530 in 4:54, but my first lap was 1:42 instead of 1:38. Oops! No problem, though — I rallied with second- and third-lap splits of 1:35 and 1:37. Then I did the 1020s in 3:12 and the 510s in 1:32-1:33. These are very good times for me at this venue.

I usually feel tired the day after a hard workout, but on Wednesday I did not. I continued to feel fresh on Thursday’s runs, especially during the eight one-minute “pick-ups” on my way home. Friday came and, yes, I was still light on my feet. I knew I was going to do well in Saturday’s race — and I did.

The weather was perfect — sunny, mild, no wind to speak of — and the Lake Padden course was as dry as ever. Going out a bit harder than usual, I stayed near the back of a large lead pack for the first couple of miles. The leaders got away on a downhill, but I held steady and eventually clawed my way up to 5th place, behind a trio of Western Washington U. speedsters and old nemesis Brett Winegar of Club Northwest. My time was 32:14, which ties my fastest-ever 10K time over cross-country terrain.

Now I’m mired in a week that has been completely ordinary: moderate fatigue, mediocre workouts…. The logical explanation is that my good, hard race has temporarily sapped my energy. But after last week’s euphoria, it’s easy to imagine that something greater — something magical? — has been lost.

If so, I hope to find it again soon.