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March 20, 2006
Facing the Stopwatch
I've carefully avoided doing anything "speed-esque" on a measured track, course, or route, for lots of reasons I've previously mentioned. Today was the day to face my stopwatch for the first time in a long time.
I picked a rotten day for it, as the wind was horrendous. Wouldn't you know it, foul weather on the first day of Spring? The 2 track options still aren't options till the weather improves and they dry out. So, with the profound accuracy of my car, I measured a half-mile stretch of flat gravel road to run repeats.
I ran a mile warmup, then strides and drills, then 6 x 1/2 mile at a few seconds faster than 5K pace with 2:10 jogging recovery, then a half mile cooldown, for 6-ish total miles. I ran the first interval straight into the wind in 3:21. Ugh. I ran the next interval with the wind and felt like I was flying, 3:11 with the same effort. When I ended this interval, I saw a herd of about 100 bison heading straight in my direction. I had to move down the gravel road a few more miles to get away from the migrating herd. So, I took about a 10 minute break to drive a few more miles and measure out a new course. Only in Montana could that happen! I started up again by doing a few minutes of jogging. The third and fourth intervals were into the wind, 3:16 and 3:18. Oof. And, finally, a reprieve from the wind, cruising back towards my car, the last 2 intervals in 3:12 and 3:17. Ouch, the last one hurt, I was tired, even with the wind pushing me along.
What did I learn? I have, indeed, lost my ability at consistency and gauging pace. Perhaps I can fault the wind for some of it, the rest is my fault. I still had fun, and that'll come back. It's only been 14 months.
Posted by Meghan at March 20, 2006 9:55 PM
Comments
Awesome, awesome workout!
I am just catching up on your blog, and I feel awful that I missed your post about men . . . I hope things are going okay. I had a pretty awful experience before I met the right one - it is natural and normal to feel jaded, but hopefully you can keep a little piece of your heart and soul open so that if the right one comes along, you will be open enough to let him in. I do agree that most men are "pigs," but keep in mind that there are always exceptions - bright, shining, brilliant exceptions - to the rule =)
On yet another note, thank you for your comments on Margaret. I know I have said it before, but I really think the two of you would have been great friends . . . she was so amazing, and she LOVED the outdoors!
Posted by: bridget at March 21, 2006 9:56 AM