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June 8, 2007
Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm"
I had a workout on Wednesday that I like to say was a "hmmmmmm" workout. It wasn't particularly terrible, but it wasn't particularly great either. It was like getting a "C" - just average, but the problem is that I never got "Cs" . . . that is, not until I became a runner.
I am about a week away from running the only race that I can truly say that I deserve to run fast because I have done the work, and for the first time in my life as a runner, I have put my faith in someone else to lead me to the "promised land" (in this case, a 1:23 - 1:24 half). After a gut-wrenching 12 mile strength run on Saturday in high humidity (I finished it with a 6:01 mile), I was feeling pretty confident. Yet if running has taught me one thing, it is this: confidence is fragile and it shakes.
My legs were tired heading into my final 15 miler on Sunday, but 7:00-7:10 pace still felt happy. I walked into Monday - my day off - still feeling good. Tuesday I logged 8 miles and started to look forward to Wednesday.
Wednesday morning - 5:30AM - rolled around and I felt completely lifeless and flat. The workout was supposed to be 8 x 800 with 2 in 3:00 (60 sec. rest in between intervals, and 90 seconds between sets), 4 x 2:55, and 2 x 2:50. I started off with a 2:56 and I felt like an alien in my body. We slowed down the next one and clocked a 3:02 . . . but it felt harder than the 2:56. I knew I was in for it.
The next 6 went something like this: 2:55, 2:55, 2:53, 2:55, 2:55, 2:56. I could not crack 2:55, let alone 2:50, to save my life. Our coach thought the 800s (which we ran on the Lakefront - and all of the mile marks have been re-marked) were a little long. I wasn't buying it, though. Well, Google maps did show that they were .02 long, but I have decided not to trust Google on this one.
Anyway, I wasn't very happy with my workout, but I wasn't disappointed in my effort. I wasn't going for a leisurely Wednesday morning stroll . . . I was running hard.
Then again, just 8 weeks ago, I was happy to break 3:00 for one interval . . . how can I be upset now? My fitness has definitely improved and I need to remind myself that not everyday is going to be fantabulous, as my friend Kristen would say. We just have to roll with the punches and keep on rolling . . . especially when we get sucker punched by a bad day.
I'm focused on next weekend. I am running a controlled 5K track workout tomorrow, 12 on Sunday, and then it's all downhill from there. I am going to be quite jittery and antsy all of next week, but I appreciate a nice taper; the taper is a sweet reward for hard work.
P.S. Thank you to all of you who have checked out Her Active Life!
Posted by bridget at June 8, 2007 4:59 PM
Comments
I don't think you can worry too much about your 800 times when you don't run them on the track. The measurement could easily be off, plus if you have a headwind or tailwind the whole way, that could make a big difference. I think you're ready to run a great half marathon! Just trust your fitness.
Posted by: Alison at June 8, 2007 6:36 PM
Good luck this weekend! I hope you get a huge PR :)
Posted by: barb at June 11, 2007 10:35 AM
... speaking of Rolling...
I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm drivin' in my car, and the man come on the radio
He's tellin' me more and more about some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no. Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm watchin' my TV and a man comes on and tell me
How white my shirts can be
But, he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
The same cigarettes as me
I can't get no. Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm ridin' round the world, and I'm doin' this and I'm signin' that
And I'm tryin' to make some girl, who tells me
Baby, better come back maybe next week
'Cause you see I'm on a losing streak
I can't get no. Oh, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say. I can't get no, I can't get no
I can't get no satisfaction, no satisfaction
No satisfaction, no satisfaction
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at June 12, 2007 11:43 AM