Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Return to Speedwork

A couple of weeks ago, I posted my gripe about our local track being buried in twenty feet of snow and a thirty inch layer of ice. (Okay, that may be a bit of an exageration, but still. Can't run on it.) I've used this as an excuse to skip the last four weeks of speedwork in my training plan.

Last night, I decided it was time to suck it up and actually do a speed workout. The schedule called for 3 by 1600. I ran a 4.5 mile loop from my office - one mile as an easy warm-up and then the 3 fast miles (with one minute rest intervals between miles), and the rest of the run was an easy cool down. It's a good thing I did this workout. It felt noticeably more difficult than the last 3 by 1600 I did about a month ago. Apparently when you don't do speedwork, you lose some of your ability to run faster. Huh. Who woulda thunk it?

The last fast mile? Yeah, almost killed me. I was VERY tempted to break it up into two 800's with a little rest interval in the middle. My internal dialogue was almost as bad as the domestic I observed in the dairy section at Walmart on Sunday. "Just stop and walk, you are too wimpy to do this workout." "Shut up. Stop being such a whiny baby!" And so on.

In the end, it ended up being a good workout, and all the speedy miles were faster than what the schedule called for. The difficulty was a motivator to make these weekly speed workouts a priority. Now that it's getting nicer out (above freezing today!), it's a little easier to think about running after work.

Twilight update: stayed up way past my bedtime finishing the first book Saturday night. Picked up the second book while grocery shopping at Walmart on Sunday and read the whole thing Sunday night. Maybe the Twilight-induced sleep deprivation had something to do with my perceived exertion during the speed workout? Damn vampires.

16 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

awesome job getting out there for the speedwork! maybe i'll finally have to read the book if it'll inspire some speedy runs LOL

Sarah said...

Of all the workouts, I like speed ones the very least. I would gladly take hills instead. Sounds like you got in an awesome workout!

Wal-Mart is always fun...my husband and I call it "free entertainment." The Wal-mart where I live is particularly interesting...it stimulates all of the senses. :) Yet I still go. :)

Run Mommy said...

I have book 3 of Twilight on my ipod as an Audiobook..I may run my longest mileage ever just to finish it.

MCM Mama said...

I tend to slack on the speedwork too, even though it tends to be the most rewarding in terms of improving my running. Good job getting it done.

Marci said...

Great job with the speedwork! Those longer intervals are worth it!

Marlene said...

"Damn vampires." - LOL! I have to admit, I didn't have a lot of quality workouts while I was reading the series!

tfh said...

1600s are my least favorite. Nice job getting it done!

Marcy said...

OMG I don't even want to know how much huffing and puffing I'd do if I tried speedwork :-X Yikes it's been MONTHS for me.

YAY for you getting out there and bustin a fast move ;-)

BeachRunner said...

Great job. Makes me wish I could be out there right now. Way to move your tushy speedily, homegirl.

ShutUpandRun said...

Good for you. You are motivating me to get back to the track. I love your comment about Walmart and the domestic. Isn't that the truth? There is always some temper tantrum or white trash something or other going on there...

I Run for Fun said...

Great speed workout! Don't know if I have the stomach for that. You are becoming a twilight fanatic! Now you've got me interested...I have to read these books.

Anonymous said...

I HATE speedwork, but like you I am resigned to the fact that the only way to GET faster is to RUN faster.
Also, Mall Wart sucks - big time.

Oz Runner said...

i hate speed work...nice job on getting it done...

Laurel said...

Great job on the speedwork. I never do it. I just make myself run faster in my runs, but never measure it or pay attention to what I am doing. For my next marathon, I need to step up my game a bit in that dept.

Carly said...

Nice job doing the speedwork. I am LOL at the "the domestic I observed in the dairy section at Walmart".

Aron said...

1600s are my least favorite of speed workouts... great job finishing it up!!!

ohhhh vampires :)