Speedwork Is WORK!

Today's installment on the 10 week training plan called for "speedwork." It's purpose is to work on, um, speed. I think this is the part of training I find most intimidating.

Mentally I tossed about thinking about the details of my 5 mile work out. I did a mile warm up and a 1 and half mile cool down but it was the in between part that looked like a mountain.

My speedwork consisted of 3 sets of 800 meter runs at a 3:52 pace with a 400 meter jog in between each set. Of course I figured out that it would amount to sub 8 miles in the long haul. That is definitely where I need tobe to surpass my 5k goal for July.

My 800 runs were 3:44, 3:58, and 4:06 which averaged out to a 3:55 pace. So I was off by 3 seconds but I won't let it discourage me.

POSITIVES FROM TODAY"S WORK OUT:

• It just reminds me that speed is going to take work.
• I noticed that with this day's run it was my upper leg muscels that were getting the workout. So now I am aware of where my accelerations are suppose to come from.
• I was winded and so that made me feel like I was definitely working.
• I ran 5 miles and the distance did not intimidate me at all.
• Most importantly though, I think today I really started to feel like a real runner. No, I won't be fast but I will become a runner and not just a plodder.

Tomorrow's schedule calls for an easy 4 mile run at 10:12 pace. If I am not too sore, that will seem easy, compared to today's pace.