Sunday musing

I joined a local running club recently. After slowly withdrawing from road cycling late in 2008 and early 2009, I took up running to keep fit and to stay in touch with some friends. My fitness built up quickly and soon enough running was my new thing - I love it, it's a great outlet for me. I've been running three or four times a week for nearly 18 months, and have done a 10km race and a half marathon too.

So I joined the Ballarat Harriers at the start of the cross country season. Got me some new Nike trail shoes, and off I went. Had three races now: one along Yarrowee Creek in Nerrina, a couple of laps of the Mt Buninyong crater, and yesterday a 2 mile (3.2 km) race at Lake Wendouree.My goals are to stay fit, have fun and make new friends. So far so good.

I've been getting quicker each race and yesterday ran the distance in 11:55 minutes, easily a new PB at around 3:45 minutes per km. Very happy with that. And happy to be part of the club too - great people, very supportive atmosphere and well run. Should be a good autumn and winter of racing.

Had breakfast out with my little girl and a friend yesterday morning, and saw an old cycling mate, his wife and 6 month old. It was a cool morning and great to be out in Ballarat, rugged up and drinking coffee with good folk. A really nice vibe here at present. Hope you are feeling it too wherever you are.

MITB