Thoughts on Speed(work)

I hope you don’t mind that I simply stole my recap of Wednesday’s speed session from my DailyMile post. I practically wrote a book. Skip the middle if you already read it and go down to the bottom of this post — that’s where the real fun starts…

2010

This was the speed day I have been most dreading (read: sub-8 pace), so I’m super glad I didn’t get up…er…opt to run before work and instead ran at lunch with Mel (Tall Mom on the Run). It was helpful to have her there coaching me on. Plus, she scoped out a nice straight place to run it — way better than cul-de-sacs in my neighborhood! The trail we took, though, brought back memories of the 2010 Million Inch+++ Run of Death. Hahaha. Okay, fine. Near Death.

Wednesday’s schedule called for 5 miles – 2 easy and 3 x 1-mile repeats at a pace of 7:45-8:00. Mel drove to my office so we could start together. This would be a second run for her (she was doing a triple day!).

Outside, it was hot. Well, hotter than I am used to (70’s?) and I would soon be cursing my compression socks. We took the first 1.5 miles easy on the way out to the trail, then caught our breath and took off.

Repeat 1: Mel’s legs were warmed up and she felt GOOD. She apologized for going a little fast, but I didn’t mind. We were running at some crazy 7:20 pace and we were like “Why does this feel easy?” I was talking a teeny bit, but that lasted only a little longer as the last quarter of a mile was HARD. But I made it. Stopped the watch for a minute breather or so. Pace: 7:43

Repeat 2: We turned around and went back in the direction we came. This way there was wind! (Maybe that’s why the pace was so easy on the way out?) I was HOT. And not in a pretty way. My breathing was a little fast and I wanted my Nuun-mommy (um, that sounds bad). Mel was awesome checking in with me and telling me how much farther we had to go. It was reassuring and I could tell she felt great as her stride was almost joyful, if that’s possible. We finished right back where we started and stopped our watches to catch our breath. Pace: 7:51

Repeat 3: This one would be on the uneven and narrow sidewalks heading back to my office, so I told Mel to go ahead of me so I could follow her lead. The first little part was downhill – yaaaay! I felt better on this one than I did on the second one — maybe because it was a little bit slower, but probably because there were some spots with shade. Oh happy shade! We finished about a half-mile from my office. Perfect! Pace: 7:58 (Whew! Made it!)

We “yogged” back to the office where my boss was standing in the parking lot. I hoped I was not late, so we stopped just a teeny bit shy of 5 miles — 4.97. Close enough! Thanks for your help, Mel! Scary tempo/repeat run: DONE!

SOME THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD DURING THE SPEED PART OF THE RUN
(because I could not say them out loud at that pace)

Repeat 1:

• Wow, I can’t believe we are running in the mid-7’s right now and I’m not dying. I’m awesome!
• Holy balls, we are ONLY at .3?! I’m going to die.
• Hahaha! Remember how I thought that weird eagle-trainer guy was going to commit suicide on the Million Inch Run? (Yes, I talk to myself like I’m my own friend.)
• Mel looks like she’s out for a stroll. Sheesh. Wish I could trade legs right now.

Repeat 2:

• Why is it so effing HOT?! 
• Stomach, you better not do that or I will kill you!
• Too hot. Don’t want compression socks on. Want to take hat off. Want to go swimming.
• BEEEEP, watch, BEEEEEP! Oh. Still a half mile to go.
• Huh. Sorta smells like coffee out here.
• Engage the gluuuuuuutes! Oh, that’s a little better.
• Nope. I’m gonna die.
• Man, I’m thirsty. Shoulda brought my handheld.
• Have to spit. Have to spit. Have to spit.
• Oh, 1.98! Thank god!

Repeat 3:

• Downhill is awesome. I like going downhill. I feel GREAT! 
• I’m kicking this uphill’s ass!
• Oops. Sweaty guy headed this way.
• Why do I always fade juuuust at the top of an uphill?
• Shaaaade!
• Sun. HOT.
• Shaaaade!
• Sun. HOT.
• Thirsty. Thirsty. Thirsty.
• The home stretch!
• Stay focused on Mel’s shoes. That’s the zone. Find the zone. Am I in the zone?
• 1.98! Wow, I looked at 1.98 again. Weird.