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General

Thoughts on Speed(work)

  • Kerrie

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.
In the bathroom stall changing into my work clothes:
  • Gross. My shirt’s going to be all sweaty.
  • Wish we didn’t have an anti-nudity thing in America right now ’cause I do NOT want to put these on.
  • C’mon soooocks!
  • C’mon paaaaants!
  • Hahaha! This is funny. I’m going to post about this. (Okay, it seemed funny at the time, but I was high from the run, so I have an excuse.) 
What I think during speedwork is totally different than what I think during a comfy pace. How about you?
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21 comments
  1. Cynthia says:
    August 18, 2011 at 4:06 am

    Love the internal convo! I noticed I have different things going on in my head for speed than other runs.

    Reply
  2. Alma says:
    August 18, 2011 at 5:19 am

    LOVE the mental madness! I so go there too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shanda says:
    August 18, 2011 at 1:15 am

    Lol great post!! I did speedwork on the treadmill today and I was thinking alot of the same thoughts!!! I dread speedwork too but after I do it I feel so accomplished!!! Good job on the pace!!!

    Reply
  4. http://texasrunningmom.blogspot.com/ says:
    August 18, 2011 at 2:18 am

    Love the post! I can totally identify!~Alicia Texas Running Mom

    Reply
  5. Michelle says:
    August 18, 2011 at 3:45 am

    LOL this is a great post! 🙂 great job!!!

    Reply
  6. Kristin says:
    August 18, 2011 at 4:10 am

    I just love your posts. Right now I am sidelined with a piriformis injury & can't run for the time being. Reading your posts actually make me feel like I am right there with you. I don't love speed work while I am doing it – but I love it once the hard work starts paying off in my long run times.

    Reply
  7. Michelle says:
    August 18, 2011 at 11:46 am

    When I do speed work I am usually giving myself pep talks or something like “c'mon you can DO THIS”over and over to just get it done

    Reply
  8. KT80 (Running Like a Girl) says:
    August 18, 2011 at 11:57 am

    I love this post. It's so interesting to me read what goes through other runner's heads while they are out there. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. XLMIC says:
    August 18, 2011 at 5:33 am

    LOL… I try not to 'think' a whole lot during speed work 😛

    Reply
  10. Deb says:
    August 18, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Love this post. 🙂 You are running seriously fast! And, I have to admit that I then went and looked at your race times, and felt good, because a lot of your older times are similar to mine. If you can get there, I am sure I can too. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Michelle says:
    August 18, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Love the mind chatter! My speed work's tomorrow and I'm sure most of the time I'll be thinking “Beep watch please just beep!” 🙂

    Reply
  12. Marlene says:
    August 18, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    hahahaha love the play-by-play inside your head. I love how you can go from feeling like it's nothing to ready to die in 2 seconds flat. YOU KILLED IT, GIRL!

    Reply
  13. Carrie @ Maine Mom on the Run says:
    August 18, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Haha! I love this one! I can totally relate to everything you were thinking!

    Reply
  14. Karla says:
    August 18, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    LOVE it!! Great job on the speedwork!

    Reply
  15. Amy says:
    August 18, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    You are inspiring me for some HIIT training but think 9 minutes might be my speedy for these comments :). Awesome speed!

    Reply
  16. Carla says:
    August 18, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Here's what I thought numerous times during my tempo run this morning: I wonder what the neighbors think. Are they scared for me when I go faster, or do they think I've been holding out on them?

    Reply
  17. [email protected](running)In the Right Direction says:
    August 19, 2011 at 12:03 am

    that was hysterical and good to know that everyone is talking to themselves as much as i am!!! I am sooo impressed with your pace! I am going to be trying to reach the same sub two goal and can't believe I will have to be doing that! What program did you use?

    Reply
  18. TNTcoach Ken says:
    August 18, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Sounds like a lot of people up there talking! LOL

    Reply
  19. Rambling Heather says:
    August 18, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    LOVE hearing the thoughts going on inside your head! Awesome workout by the way!

    Reply
  20. Carrie says:
    August 19, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Impressive run! Thanks for sharing your random thoughts – I love it, thanks for the chuckle.

    Reply
  21. Terzah says:
    August 19, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    At the beginning of my speedwork intervals (whatever length they are) I think very much like you do. Byt the end of them I don't really think much! Each step is an eternity! Great work!

    Reply

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