Of Mice and Marathons

That's a great session. Definitely under 85 w/o the wind. I'm always satisfied when I can go under 5k pace for more than 5k total in reps, which you definitely did.

next up 20 x 400?

Thanks, Joe. I figured it gave me a VO2 max stimulus for 4 miles, broken up. More than just strides. I smoked the third one (5:17 pace) because I was misreading my watch because I am not used to the setup for the interval function (I usually use the "Advanced Workout" function, which is as you are probably aware limited to 20 steps). Another good lesson in keeping the eyes off it.

As for 20, well, maybe next week with no wind. Maybe.

I don't know any of the advanced functions, which is why I do these on a track. The most advanced thing I've done is set it to 0.5 mile auto lap so I could do the 4 x 1.5, and I was proud of that bit of technology savviness.

The track is terrible in windy conditions though; at least you can set up (mostly) crosswind reps on the road, although it still impedes you, I think.

I think I only hit 3 reps with severe headwinds. I got some crosswinds, but overall it wasn't too bad.

What Garmin are you using? I even do my measured strides in the road. Nothing like seeing people watch a guy blasting 5:00 pace in a town that finds exercise weird.

In a conversation between Jake and Derek I noticed that the 110 and maybe 210 doesn't have the ability to do compound sets and such. The advanced options are done through the Garmin Connect online site (you can basically add steps in whatever fashion you like: choose the kind of interval and recovery, whether you hit lap, go by time, by calories, or by distance). The problem is that it limits you to 20 steps. But for the interval workouts (it's like the simple but it gives you recovery and split distance or time) you can repeat the simple steps as many times (99?) as you want. It just beeps at me when I am supposed to move my legs. For the 400s I just put in .25 and .12 for the recoveries and go to town.

I used to do my stuff on the track, but I do intervals almost exclusively on low-traffic roads and a nice section of paved trail next to the golf course and the river. I do like the track and have good access to one, but I know the golf course is clear and I have grown very found of it this winter with several "peacock workouts."

I use the 405..not sure about how many steps it can do and such; it would probably make things easier on me if I'd sit down and mess with it a bit.

Don't blame you for sticking with what works!