1994 Commonwealth Stadium

Hicham popped by again after work and was kind enough to drive us up to UVic so that I could take advantage of the softer surfaces, prior to hitting the roads again next week. I’m trying to encourage the recovery and spend as much time on grass and bark mulch as possible. Once up there. like the routine-based, creature of habit I am, we traced our way through Henderson, looping through the Vale and out toward the stadium. As we jogged along the path behind the student residences we passed by an old innocuous looking bench, held fast in cement at the base of a giant maple. Fourteen years earlier, I remember some friends and me marking our initials in the cement as the bench was being set. I’m smiling still, as I recall the memories of my varsity years.

We made our way to the stadium, which hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games. The picture doesn’t do it justice as the 30,000+ temporary stands have been removed. That said, I have far fonder memories just the way it is. Hicham was up for anything, and didn’t hesitate for a second when I described the workout (12x diagonals, jogging the end line as recovery). I laugh now after talking with his coach who was just a little surprised given Hicham was supposed to be in the midst of a recovery week (again, I’m still smiling). After floating through the first few Hicham looked over, “woah, these aren’t strides”. We continued on, Hicham kicking off his shoes for the last four… another prefect spring evening.

Training: easy 48:37 with 12x diagonals, AHR 135, MAX 166