How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

November 19, 2024

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Location:

Eugene,OR,USA

Member Since:

Nov 09, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

  • 5k PR - 18:48 (7/04/08)
  • 8K PR - 33:46 (5/19/07, on trails)
  • 10k PR - I have not run a competitive 10K yet.
  • 12K PR - 50:10 (8/09/08)
  • 15K PR - 1:04:52 (3/22/08)
  • Marathon - Have run 1 trail marathon, (Grand Island) 3:55 (July 2007)
  • Ultra Marathons -
  • Farmdale 33.5 miles, 10/08 - 6:08
  • Riddle Run 28 Miles, 01/09 - 5:35 (run in 2-3 inches of snow)
  • Devil's Lake 50k, 07/09 - 6:22
  • Howl at the Moon 8 hour, 08/09 - 39.98 miles
  • North Country Trail Run 50 miles, 09/09 - 9:44
  • Farmdale 32 miles, 10/09 - 5:45
  • McNotAgain 30 Miles, 10/09 - 5:50
  • Red Rock Canyon Half, Las Vegas, 06/12 - 2:15


Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep running in the winter - 1st year in Eugene - fun!

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep on Keeping on..

Personal:

Moved to Eugene in Autumn, 2012 - Track city USA!

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.003.250.0010.25

Weather - 60 degrees, sunny.

A great day for running. I run faster when the temps are between 60-80, so I was finally able to run a hard workout with decent conditions. I ran 1 mile to the Urbana HS track and then ran 2 more warm up miles. I stretched a bit, then walked to the indoor pool (about 100 yards away) to borrow a pen and paper. I was planning to bring paper/pen so that I could write my splits, but I forgot. When I returned from the pool I ran 5 x 100m accelerations. I only timed the last one, it was 17 seconds, which is a 2 second improvement from the last time I ran track accelerations on March 10. I waited about 5 minutes before starting the intervals. I decided to run alternating 200m/400m, with 200m/400m jogging rest. I wanted to do 8 each, which would equal 3 miles, so I decided to treat the intervals as a 5k race, starting moderately, then picking up the pace after the first 600-1000m, maintaining the pace in the middle, then holding on at the end. I was unsure how I was going to do, but the sun felt great, there was a moderate wind on the track (less than normal), I was wearing shorts/singlet, and I had my new trainers, which are 3 ounces lighter than my other 2 pair (they are bright yellow, which means I have to run faster, right?). There was one other man on the track, but he was camped on the opposite side doing jumping jacks and stretching.

Here is how it went :

1) 200 - 41 seconds. Felt great, was holding back a bit, legs felt super-charged, and my adrenaline was flowing as if it was a race.

1) 400 - 84 seconds. I had to look twice after I saw the time, because I don't think I have ever run a 400M in under 85 seconds. I was holding back, in control, wow!

2) 200 - 39 seconds. Picking it up a bit.

2) 400 - 83 seconds. Proving the first was no fluke. Can I maintain the pace?

3) 200 - 38 seconds. Went too fast on this one.

3) 400 - 84 seconds. Still feeling good.

4) 200 - 40 seconds. A good pace, this is where I needed to be.

4) 400 - 82 seconds. Too fast, but I was happy to see 82!

5) 200 - 42 seconds. Paid the price for the 82.

5) 400 - 85 seconds. Was worried about this one, the 82 took a toll, but I was still in control.

6) 200 - 41 seconds. Trying to maintain, and succeeding.

6) 400 - 86 seconds. Will I be able to hold for the final 1200m?

7) 200 - 42 seconds. Hanging on.

7) 400 - 86 seconds. Feeling a bit weary, but legs still feel good.

8) 200 - 41 seconds. Trying to save myself for the final 400.

8) 400 - 82 seconds. The homestretch, no more laps to save for, so I ran all out.

When I finished the final 400 it felt like I just finished a 5k, but I still had enough composure to keep running slowly around the track, and I recovered after only 1 lap, and finished off with a 1 mile cool-down.

If I don't include the recovery jogs, my total time for 3 miles was 16:36, averaging a 5:32 pace. The two 82 second 400's was a 5:28 pace, I have never gone that low before.

This is no doubt my best track workout ever, and one of the best runs of my life. It feels so good to be fit, to be able to make it work for a hard effort. I was not overstraining, nor trying to run past my abilities, yet I felt faster than ever before. This one run makes running everyday in the winter months worth it. To work 140 days to feel the pleasure of the 141st - I will always remember this day.

#141

z.m. - #55

Comments
From Benn on Sat, Apr 05, 2008 at 21:02:34

I couldn't have said it better myself, Will! I live for those moments, after all the hours, and days, and weeks, and months of training, for that seemingly perfect day when everything falls into place and you truly can say your training has paid off. I'm so in awe at your consistent training and perhaps even moreso the consistency in your times today! Killer mileage, sweet times, Kick butt attitude! You are ready to dominate man!

From will on Sun, Apr 06, 2008 at 21:48:49

Thanks for the encouragement, Benn, I see that you also had a great track session - let's keep it rolling!

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