But that also means that it's one of my most gratifying type of workouts.
 |
| track party of one |
Seemingly impossible while I'm doing it; best feeling ever (mixed with a little disbelief) when I'm done.
It's clear that I'm intimidated by speed work: I've only run on a track maybe 3 or 4 times in my entire life? And that includes Monday.
Monday, I ran:
- to a track that's 3 miles away from my home (warm up)
-1 X 1600 (followed by easy 800 jog)
-2 X 800 (easy 400 jog after each)
-3 X 400 (easy 200 jog after each)
-back home from from the track, 3 mile cool down
...for a total of 10 miles.
Somehow I hit my goal paces:
So far this year, I'd been happily obliging to my physical therapist's advice to NOT do any speed work...but now that my proximal hamstring tendon isn't angry (only a smidge temperamental for a few seconds after I get out of my car), I am "allowed" to do "some speedwork" as long as it feels OK. And it felt OK so maybe I'll try some more again in a week or two.
Do you love or fear speedwork?
I have mixed feelings about it. I love it and I fear it. I feel so alive and intense when I'm pushing myself during speedwork, but it is intimidating and I therefore tend to avoid it (which is of course the wrong attitude to have!)
I started going to a local track group's Monday night workouts last year. I got faster (PRs in every distance) and injured! Dangerous but very impactful. I just recently started going back, but it does flare up the injury.
ReplyDeleteNice job, glad you are healing up! I wish I had a track closer to me to run on, it would make speed work a little easier. Speed work on gravel roads can be a little dicey!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!! Glad to hear that your leg is finally starting to feel better!
ReplyDeleteI run with a group and we meet once a week at the track to do speedwork together. It's kind of awesome because I usually pair off with a few people who are a little faster than I am, so it keeps me working and keeps me on my toes!
Great job at the track! I also don't love speed workouts. I wouldn't say that I fear them, I just dread them. I will think about the workout all day. It will drive me nuts!!! Then I do the workout and think nothing of it. Typical odd runner. :-)
ReplyDeleteEven though it hurts, I like the track workouts-- I feel so bad ass afterwards :)
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of speedwork even though I really want to do it! I get too many aches and pains the next day so I have found other ways to get my faster runs done.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the same page as you - I love it and I loathe it. I have to constantly remind myself "if it were easy, everyone would do it" and other corny motivational one-liners, but I love the FAST of it. I feel like a total badass (I just read that someone else said that, too!) when I'm pounding the ground and sweating like a crazy person.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the track! I haven't done repeats longer than 800's and even those are not too common though. I guess I like really putting myself out there in a new way. And running fast ;)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way as you do about it. I love it because afterwards you feel satisfied, but the thought of it is pretty scary. I need to get out to the track, but I usually do speed work on the treadmill. Since it's finally getting nicer out I think that the track and I will become good friends :)
ReplyDeleteKeep it up girl, so close to Boston!
I'm 42 and don't really like speed work but do it at least once during every run...I'm still just an average pace runner but that's okay with me...at least I'm still running right! Great job on your speed work! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The only way to run faster is by running faster, right? I'm the same as you, though... the track is scary. It's for SERIOUS people. (And you, button, are none of those things.<--name the movie?!)
ReplyDeleteBut with that being said... you are inspiring me to hit the track!
Great job, that sounds like torture! I always run at the same pace (which is usually break neck all the way) but mixing it up sounds like it wouldn't be boring!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you...the track tends to intimidate me. Maybe it's b/c it is so in your face and there's no way to fudge it. I dunno. But it is awfully effective!
ReplyDeleteI just started doing some speed work in my running routine, and have really been enjoying it. I set my Garmin to the workout I want to do, and have it tell me when to start and stop. I also haven't actually done these workouts AT the track, but I think it still counts as a track party! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your hamstring is feeling good!
You can set the Garmin that it stops after certain time or distance automatically. Good job on your track workout!!!
ReplyDeleteNice that you are back on the track!
ReplyDeletesince I did track in high school I've never really liked doing speedwork, since I did so much of it in school. But maybe now occasionally it would be a nice change of pace.
Ahh I hate track workouts! I love trail running!
ReplyDeleteYou're so speedy! I like it, but I often get little knots in my belly before a planned hard workout. I guess it's not all bad if the adrenaline rush makes me go faster/longer.
ReplyDeleteWhoa- you are fast!!!! You should not fear the track, the track should fear YOU!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKILLER SPEED WORK!! You are incredible!
ReplyDeleteKiller work out! I like speedwork because 1) I get to test myself and usually have a high after and 2) usually get in a good amount of miles without it feeling that way.
ReplyDeleteGood job!! I have never tried a track work out.
ReplyDelete