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March 28, 2006
Arguably Salvaged
I don't know if I quite agree with this title, my verdict on today's workout is still out.
I can't get rid of this wind. The nearby valley that I go to run in extends north-south, following the course of the Gardner River. A gravel road and a trail run through this valley, of course, in a north-south direction. The wind always blows either up the valley or down the valley, never across it. As a result, when I run in this valley, it's either a headwind or a tailwind. My house is up in the mountains above this valley, and I do like running up there. Often I'm sheltered from the wind, but I face big hills. I go to the valley to run with the specific purpose of running on soft surfaces and moderately flat terrain. When I go there, I always have to deal with the wind. And, sometimes, it just gets to me. Today was a south wind day. And it was a forceful south wind. When I stop my car and listen to the wind howl around it, it's never a good sign.
There was a fair bit of logistical set-up for this workout, measuring out distances on the gravel road and marking them. If I had my druthers, I'd put up permanent quarter mile markers out there, but I think the National Park Service wouldn't be too happy with me, since the road is theirs. After marking my course, I parked at a nearby trailhead for a trail I haven't yet explored. It climbs out of the aforementioned valley, making its way over many miles towards one of the bigger mountains that looms over the valley, Electric Peak. I only explored it for a short distance as I warmed up.
Here's the workout: 2+ miles warmup, strides, drills, 2 x quarter mile/half mile/ three-quarters mile superset with half mile jog recoveries, 2+ miles cooldown. I logged about 7.5 miles total. All of the distances are run continuously, with the quarter mile at 20 seconds faster than 5K pace, the half mile at 5K pace, and the three-quarters mile at half marathon pace, then a half mile jog recovery after it all.
I was excited to do this workout. I did the first set into the wind. I passed the marked transition points all behind schedule. I was 4 seconds slow on the quarter mile (Tha'ts really bad!), 3 seconds slow on the half mile, and 4 seconds slow on the three-quarters mile, for a grand total of 11+ seconds slow for the set. I felt slow in the first quarter mile, like I wasn't warmed up yet. I also knew I was battling a nasty headwind. I was discouraged. As I jogged the half mile recovery, I refused to think about it anymore, I wanted to focus on salvaging the workout and running the second set on par. I turned out of the wind, felt it pushing at my back, started the second set, and immediately felt confident. Not just because of the tailwind (though it definitely helped), but because I just felt good. I passed the quarter mile on time, the half mile 2 seconds fast, and the three-quarters mile 8 seconds fast (Oops!), for a total of 10 seconds fast for the set.
I learned three things. 1) I've got to come to peace with the wind. It's not going to change. 2) I have to figure out how to appropriately readjust my goal paces and my pacing while out there for the wind. 3) I think I need a better warmup. I don't think I need more distance, perhaps some hard surges as I warm up to really get myself loose. I must be getting old.
So, in a sense, I think the workout may have been salvaged. My times were slow on the first and fast on the second, In retrospect, some of it was the wind, and some of it was feeling and being appropriately warmed up. I would feel much better,though, if my perceived effort lined up better with my watch.
Posted by Meghan at March 28, 2006 7:14 PM
Comments
wow. so there really are NO running tracks anywhere near you? that's annoying for running purposes-but kind of awesome for rural living environment purposes.
Posted by: Audrey at March 28, 2006 8:35 PM
Whenever the environmental conditions are so awful, my rule of thumb is to simply go by effort and just let the watch run. Sure, take a peak, but don't get overly concerned on the actual splits. No use in getting upset that you aren't hitting the goals when the wind is in your face at 50 mph.
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at March 29, 2006 6:11 PM