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…
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very good speedwork session Flo! Running into the wind sure makes things feel alot harder doesnt it ? I feel like im standing in place sometimes when the winds are that nasty but then I look down at my trusty Garmin and see I wasnt really running that slow after all ( as you noticed too)
On the flipside a run with the wind at your back sure can give some awesome times huh ? That explains alot of my 10 mile PR time of 1:08. I’d be thrilled to be anywhere under 1:10 this year at the same race unless its wind aided again then bring on 1:06
good luck with the handheld! Hopefully it works well for you!
Morning Matt! Don’t give too much credit to the wind on that 10mile PR, after all, you are a speedy guy in general. Can’t wait to see what you produce this year.
My favorite weird thing about the wind is how the volume level changes so drastically. It’s like a wall of sound when you’re facing it, and then turn around…silence. Love that.
Btw, I don’t know if you saw my comment to you in the Dailies a couple days ago, saying I’m super glad you’ve started posting in them, but I am. It’s very motivating and also fun to read everyone’s workouts that day. Keep it up, boyee!