Day 3 - more progress

This morning I went to the gym and worked out on the elliptical. I was able to work much harder without having my heart rate soar. And it came back down more quickly after each interval. Today I did my 5k in 31 minutes...I believe that's 10 minute miles. I, too, want to work on cutting that time. I'm shooting for 9 minute miles. Could it be the absence of alcohol?