Maybe I'll Blog, Maybe I Won't

Big Workout #4

This was another quality workout.  I think I am getting used to this type of training and the faster paces.  I'm getting a sense of how I'm going to improve it over time as well.  Here's today's workout:

1.5 mile warmup

4x1600m @ 5:30/mi.

400 m rest between #1 and #2, but that about killed me in #2 so I increased recovery to 800 m, but a little faster.  Here are my splits:

1	5:29	typical first interval, felt slightly labored but not bad
2	5:29	about died, increased recovery
3	5:28	much better.  getting into pace
4	5:26	felt almost effortless.  debated on doing another, but decided against pushing the limits too much...this time.

After the intervals and a little more recovery I got out and did about another 9 miles at 6:20 pace, plus a cooldown at the end.  Last couple of miles of the tempo run was a struggle, since the wind wasn't helping me today like last week, but overall I feel like I'm getting faster and stronger.  I am starting to feel as strong as I felt in high school speed wise (although I'm not doing the right training for HS races), and even much stronger in my endurance.  This may sound like excuses but I think I've finally kicked the 2 years of not running out of my mind and body.  I am now back to relishing hard workouts when I do them and being mature enough to rest when needed.  Feels much better than having to struggle just to find motivation to get out on a mediocre run.  Hopefully the trend continues.