Archive for August 16th, 2008

Didn’t write the last couple days because one day was recovery and yesterday was off, so nothing interesting to speak of. Well, I did have my first running nightmare last night that involved not knowing where the race was held and having to wear “fashion” running shoes from J.C.Penney (oh no, where are my Mizunos?!?! I can’t run in these!!). So I was a little tense upon waking.

On the menu this morning, 8 @GA Pace (Pfitz-speak for general aerobic) w/ 8x100m strides. While on the run, I realized that, since hopping on this particular training plan, something dramatic has changed within my running style. Used to be I’d never warm up to begin, just go out all gangbusters. As the run progressed, I’d always end up with positive splits. I wasn’t too concerned because my last mile is uphill and the run always averaged a pace I was happy with.

Nowadays, it’s ass-backwards. I start every run on the slow end, using my comfort level to determine the starting pace (aka a warm-up mile…what a foreign concept). Then, as the run progresses, I speed up – not because I’m clock watching, but because the effort feels easier as the miles chug along. What do I get for this newfangled way to run? Negative splits without even trying.

I’m sure credit goes to those molasses recovery miles, since running slowly has become much less evil in my mind and just another flavor to the full running recipe. Whatever, it’s lovely to find this happening without actively seeking it out.

So anyway, today’s run averaged 8:41, splits were 9:07, 8:51, 8:49, 8:33, 8:31, 8:28, then the strides and a mile home.

Tomorrow is a 14. I figure I’ll go 4.5 to my new found friend Mile Hill, go up and down that baby 2.5 times then take that final 4.5 back home. And with that, out goes the cutback week and in comes the hard stuff again, in particular a 12 w/7@tempo on Wednesday. Joy, oh joy.

Actually, that’s not even snarky, I am finding joy so often these days. Hard to believe just a year and half ago I felt directionless, uninspired, bored and flabby. God, I heart running.