Me and my four pacers

Today's running group (F+S) comprised me, four other runners including the coach. All faster than me (no surprise here) which meant I had to run like the Duracell/Energizer bunny to not get left too far behind. Of course they wait for anyone who gets left behind, but come on, not every five minutes! We kept a steady 5:30-pace for nearly half the session, which for me who likes to shuffle along in 6:25 is a bit too fast over distance. Especially since we prior to this had skipped (literally) through a very pretty wooded area with heaps of roots, rocks and mud. Only a little bit stiff now - I know precisely where I'll hurt tomorrow after 9,2 k at 6:10-pace of not only the trail but evil hills as well as streets... This off-road business is tough! But bring it on, I can take a bit of pain. Next week we'll run up the ski slope. I may be mad but: hurrah! There is an infamous hill at my upcoming trail run that apparently separates the men from the boys (and don't even mention ladies...), and whoever survives that gets picked off at the next one. Running up both is for seriously strong runners, or so I'm told. But come on, they can't be worse than a ski slope...?