Archive for February 8th, 2008

Yesterday marked yet another first for my running log – 880 intervals (a.k.a. half-miles, for you less calculated types).

I’d been thinking about this workout for a week, so hearing the wind whipping against our closed windows did not deter me, just scared the crap out of me beforehand. I reasoned that should I end up slower than my projected pace, I could blame it on Mother Nature, no self-recrimination allowed.

My Garmin and I warmed-up on our usual riverside route until we came upon the spot I was looking for; long, flatish and good enough for an interval session. Once there, I managed to complete 6 x 880 as planned.

The wind never let up, and I had to laugh at my stubbornness for insisting that particular day be Speed Day. I ended up alternating directions with each interval, so while I got killed one way, I had a reprieve the other. Looking at my splits, it’s obvious which ones faced the wind and which didn’t. Facing the wind, I averaged a pace of 7:29…with the wind at my back, 7:07. So, averaging them together, I ended up with a respectable (pour moi) 7:18 avg. for the session.

As far as recovery goes, I had programmed 3:30 recoveries but then found my heart rate returned to 120bpm after a couple minutes, so I’ll shorten the recovery time in future.

Incidentally, I walked the recovery periods instead of jogging them. That was nice and perfectly legal, I might add. Matter of fact, when I do those damn mile intervals I hate so much, I always jog the recoveries, so I’ll try walking them next time. Maybe then I won’t always precede “mile intervals” with “those damn”.

And that, my lads and lasses, ends our Speedwork Saga for the week. I feel very hopeful and happy for having completed such a small, yet worthy task.

Now what? 6 easy today and then tomorrow, road testing the Amphipod Hydraform Handheld on my 14-miler. Expect my potty mouth to be in fine form upon my return…