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May 18, 2005
Another Cruddy Speed Workout
Today's workout was supposed to be on the track, but since the high school kids had a game on the infield, we took to the (hilly) trails again. The modified workout ended up being 5 x 4 minutes at 5k pace with 3 1/2 minute jog. In the beginning, I stuck with coach E. because I can usually keep up with him (or be in close vicinity), and today he had a large following...a lot of new people, which is always fun. We warmed up for 12 minutes and did the first repeat at a pretty easy pace, picking it up for the last 30 seconds. The following ones were faster and I kept up for the second and half of the third repeats, but then fell off pace as my cardio suffered. I mean, it hurt my lungs to breathe deep even though my legs were fine. It was a like last week's workout. I couldn't understand why. It was so frustrating because I don't feel that out of shape and I could only think of how everyone seems to be getting faster while I'm standing still, or getting worse. It's ridiculous to put so much pressure on myself, but I simply want to do the best that I'm capable of. It doesn't help that I'm not too keen on work right now. Three guys quit in the last two weeks, and they happen to be my swing and midnight shift analysts. Those people don't drop out of the sky too often, you know? Aaarrrgh. Oh yea, and I was quite hostile (accidentally) to a lady at the gas station this morning who was simply trying to make a joke. So, I'm feeling mean and slow and sorry for myself. I'll be back to normal in the morning.
Back to the workout. I ran into Jessie at the end of our cooldown who gave me some insight. I mentioned that I did a solid tempo run on Monday, and she suggested perhaps that's why my cardio's shot. If so, nix tempo for now and add it back in a couple of months, which is what my upcoming marathon training plan calls for anyway. Sounds like great advice to me. I think I will do that (at minimum, for a few weeks) to see if my track workouts improve. We'll have to wait and see...
Posted by Leilani at May 18, 2005 11:45 PM
Comments
I guess it could be a factor of so many different things, you know? The tempo workout, maybe you're still recovering from the triathlon or some other harder effort. It's supposed to take two weeks for your body to feel the impact of a hard run, right? If so, maybe that's why you haven't been feeling as great. Hope you do feel better! Have a great run this Saturday!
Posted by: Nanda at May 19, 2005 12:23 PM
Yea, maybe you are still recovering from the tri we did in 88 degree heat and the hill runs in St Croix! I have heard that very insightful observation before...
Posted by: R. at May 19, 2005 05:23 PM