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November 12, 2005
In Search of Extra Hours
Although I am working the same number, or less hours, in a week than I used to; there just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything accomplished in one day. I truly believe this is becuase I'm working from 9 to 5 instead of 7 to 3. On my previous schedule, I had plenty of time to get things done in the afternoon/evening. On this schedule, not much is open before and the evening is consumed by my run. In theory, it would be great to do the bulk of my training in the morning because there is plenty of time then, but I have established that I am not a good morning runner and I think that because I am so tight in the morning it could make me more prone to doing something stupid. As a result, I seem to not have enough time to do everything that I would like to do.
Thursday night was a track night. It was so windy during the day that J actually called me and told me not to even be concerned with what the pace was. He had earlier given goal times to me because the workout was supposed to be short but hard. The wind did die down some as the sun set, so it wasn't too bad by the time we got started. The workout was 2 x 1600 with an 800 jog. The 1600s were supposed to be fast, our workouts are getting shorter and faster because it is peaking time. There was a pretty small group, but two of the guys were about my pace. This was nice, having people to work with makes the workout so much better. I didn't check any of the quarter splits, but one of the guys was looking, so I had no idea what pace we were running. I had originally planned to do the miles in 5:45, but my plan was changed to run at about 95%. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the first mile was 5:41/5:42. We did a very easy (to me) 800 jog and started the second one. J had said that there could be more recovery because he wanted closer to a full recovery, but I was ready to go. On this one, I did most of the pace setting and did a 5:43. I would have liked that one to be faster, but being consistent is just as good and they were the fastest workout miles that I think I have ever done. We did a similar workout last year that left me lying on the track gasping for air with much slower times.
When I went to bed Thursday night, I realized that I left my flats behind a bush at the track. Since it was dark when we finished, I was pretty sure they would be fine, but I also knew that I had to get there before school started in the morning. Since I would be up, I also decided to go to the gym in the morning before work. My flats were right where I left them, behind the bush, thank goodness! I have other pairs, but these are my current workout pair. The gym was dead, a pleasant surprise. I must have gone in the down period, there were maybe ten people in the fitness center. I did the elliptical for 35 minutes and then did a little bit of lifting before getting ready to go to work.
This morning, I did get up early, but I didn't need to run early. I was running from home instead of doing a long run because I am racing tomorrow. I got up and did some cleaning, like putting laundry away to get the blood flowing. After about forty minutes, I decided that it was time to run. I got dressed, with too much on as it turns out, but not too much too much and headed out to run. I did an easy five miles, the first two definitely felt worse than the last three. My legs still felt a bit heavy and tired from the extra hard effort on Thursday night.
I have some more cleaning to take care of and then I'm going to the state cross country meet today. Some of the kids run with us in the summer and others are kids who I used to coach in swimming. There should be some good races, one with two guys who have been really close all season and one of the girls is just phenomenal to watch. Luckily for us spectators, it won't be too cold!
Posted by Blondie at November 12, 2005 10:13 AM
Comments
Good luck tomorrow! Hope you have a great race.
Posted by: Beth at November 12, 2005 03:54 PM