(S)he's Going the Distance*

I have always taken perverse joy and speed workouts. When I was in high school track my workouts focus mostly on 100, 200 or 400 repeats. Sometimes there were hurtles literally throwing in the max depending on what was going on. I've  been known to schedule a ladder workout or two for Frisbee team that I've been on in the past. I find satisfaction in working hard, facing some pain, and overcoming it to see the results. I've never, however, done long distance speed work out.  And I am finding this is going to be a different beast entirely. 

Before the Run to Remember I started trying to do some temple run and did one 400 repeat based on a quick training program I found.  The tempo runs were  but on Tuesdays when I would try to keep up with a certain group of runners from my run club. They were hard, they hurt, and they seem to go on FOREVER.  With the goal of Baystate to qualify for Boston I know I need to work on my lactic acid threshold as well as my VO2 max and, unfortunately, that means long distance speed workout.

So I started this Wednesday with mile repeats. I did a 1 mile warm-up, 1 mile at 7:10, 400 meters in between, 1 mile at 7:00 and 1 mile cooldown.  And the funny thing was I found myself zoning out like I used to when I did my track repeats either in high school or with ultimate. I found the time going by and the countdown is not seeming to drag like I expected them to. I also found that I wasn't entirely sure how to gauge my comfort level and that will be one of the interesting developments in this training. I'm going to have to learn how to gauge when I really don't have a lot left because it is different to push through 200 meters or chase down a disc on a field that it is to run three more miles (or more).

Despite finding myself fairly exhausted Thursday (although I still met up and literally almost walked my way through 3.35 miles with friends) now reflecting during my rest night I find that I am somewhat excited (?!?)  to see what I will learn about what I can do. And what I cannot do. 

*(S)he's Going for Speed.

Another One Bites the Dust

When you run regularly it is important to remember that there will always be good days and bad days. Equally or maybe more important is to remember a good run one day does not guarantee the next one will be good or better. Same when you have a bad run. Today was a Bad Run and so, I am trying to remind myself that my next run, and particularly, my next long run, won't be terrible.

Today's run was hot, unfocused, hot and too long for only 6.5 miles. And hot. Did I mention that? I am working on pacing myself for long runs which, right now, are starting short, but even with that I was dying. I walked which is just something I don't really do. I struggled to keep my breathing normal and my Garmin told me I should rest for four day (FOUR) after this because it took so much out of me.

I am now trying to recovery and stay focused and not concern myself with the idea that my next run will be awful. I am trying to remember all the other terrible run I had but how many good runs I've had and how those tend to be the norm. I feel like these next twenty weeks will continue to be a mental up and down like this.

When Day is Done*

Officially following a training plan will begin the first weekend in July but before then I'm trying to get used to a move involved routine. I've always been pretty good about getting some workout in nearly everyday but this training is going to be much different. For one it's just going to be MORE. On top of the increase in running, I need to add speed workout to get faster, strength to avoid injuries and better body movement and, of course, more stretching. So, all in all, I want to get used to more which I'm trying to use June for. 

But as I sit here waiting for an appointment, not having done anything athletic yet today but hoping to do some arms, abs and rolling I think "man I am tired."

These next few months are going to test endurance in so many ways, hopefully in the end I come out victorious.

*Sleep in peace when day is done.