« Oops I Did It Again | Main | ILT »
July 19, 2006
A Return to the Track
I haven't run hard on a track for a long time. In fact, I know it's been over a year because by this time last year my feet were really bothering me and I was taking time off from running...thus beginning the run/break/run/break/run/break cycle which lead to the "forget running - I want to be a triathlete (!)" phase. Anyway, because I don't ever feel like I'm in good running shape I've been avoiding the track. Doing hard workouts yes, but avoiding the track also because...well...we all know it...the track doesn't lie. The track will tell you how slow you really are. The track will scream it loud and clear with no where to hide. Yes, you were once able to run 5x1600 at 5:45 pace in college. Yes, now your best effort for 1 mile hard is 6:20. Oh well. What can you do?! :)
So anyway, today's workout called for a return to the track. Kind of. I was to basically run a 55 minute run, get my HR up to a certain point, go run a hard mile on the track and then finish the rest of my run. So that's what I did. I ran the long way to the local high school track and showed up after about 27 minutes. I took a quick drink and then ran a lap or so to get my heart rate up to 175. And then I took off like I've done so many times before. And it felt weird to be doing that again.
I had no idea what to expect. 7 minutes? 6 minutes? I was running hard but not trying to kill myself either. First lap in 1:35. Okay - I could deal with that. Keep up this pace and see what happens. 2nd lap in 1:35 again. Alright, I'm okay, let's keep it up. 3rd lap in 1:36. Hmm...pick it up a little...let's try and get this under 6:20. Last lap 1:35. Total time 6:21. After I was done I really couldn't decide how I felt about a 6:21. It's disturbing to realize that I used to be able to run much faster than that for many more repeats than that. But at the same time I'm not sure what I should expect when I only run 3 days/week AT MOST and I've lately been much more concerned with my swimming stroke and criterium cycling tactics.
I walked about a half lap, got another drink and then set off towards home to finish up my run for a total of 55 minutes. I decided somewhere along my way home that I shouldn't worry or think too much about my 6:21. And so I'm not. Afterall, I have another workout this afternoon and another one tomorrow morning and Friday morning and...you get my drift...no one workout should mean too much to us, despite the fact that they sometimes do.
So the rest of the day has been delightful. Did I mention I didn't even get up until 8 am? :) I have to go run some errands this afternoon and then I'll be back to do 45 minutes easy on the bike. I'm about 99.9% sure I'm going to set my bike up on the trainer for this afternoon's ride for several reasons. (1) I am actually doing a trainer workout on the bike tomorrow morning so I'll need to set it up anyway. (2) I'm just supposed to spin easy for 45 minutes which is best accomplished on the trainer where you really can make it easy. And perhaps the biggest reason of all (3) I can't bear the thought of going out in that heat again. Our thermometer reads 89 right now. And I've decided that one can only sweat so much before you run out of sweat. Yep, that's the way it works. So I want to save a little sweat for next summer. :)
Have a great evening everyone!
Posted by beth at July 19, 2006 2:45 PM
Comments
Yeah, plus your heart only has so many beats and if you go outside to ride, the heat will cause your heart rate to be higher and you need to save some beats for the rest of your life. :)
Posted by: brian at July 19, 2006 4:49 PM
Returned to the track, without pain in your feet. I'd take it. In time, times will go down again. Running alone on the track can easily slow you down by as much as 10%...
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at July 19, 2006 6:09 PM
I've been running a lot more than you have and I'm not sure that I could run a 6:21 right now. Sure, you used to be faster, but on the amount of actual running you are doing right now, I think that's pretty darn good. Once you can run more and get some more practice running on the track again, you'll improve dramatically.
Posted by: Alison at July 19, 2006 10:34 PM
6:21 is still a great time... especially since running is not your main event anymore... speed will come... also it is good that your feet did not hurt you today...
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at July 20, 2006 9:56 AM
I agree that a 6:21 is very solid. Especially since you haven't been running much and you haven't been doing any speed work at all.
So are your feet doing fine these days? If so that is great!!
Posted by: barb at July 20, 2006 11:00 AM
Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
As for my feet - I wouldn't say they feel great. In fact this morning they are quite sore from yesterday's run. But they are doing well enough to run 2-3 days/week given recovery time in between runs and lots of stretching, icing, etc... I'll take it - MUCH better than nothing. :)
Posted by: Beth at July 20, 2006 12:46 PM
WOW - I have never done a 6:21 minute mile IN MY LIFE!!! I have to really push it to make a 7:15 mile! Coming from a 9-10 minute/mile runner, you are super fast! Nice job.
Posted by: buckeyerunner at July 21, 2006 7:27 AM