This morning marked the official start to my 2016-2017 running season. The weather was amazing at just under 60 degrees. I threw on my new running skirt and headed out the door to meet with the Lifetime Run group for the first speed work I have done in over 4 months.
The “before” picture. Gotta make it look good!
Oh what a difference temperature makes for a runner. I had been in such a slump these last few months. My pace was in the toilet at over the 10 minute mile mark. It was really starting to get to me. Everyday I would run I would have to give myself a pep talk to convince myself that pace didn’t matter when it was over 90 degrees outside with thick, sticky air. But as a runner it is hard to look down at your watch after your run and see a pace that you haven’t seen since you were in your rookie stages. I hadn’t run over a 10 minute mile in at least 4 years. But with the hot summer and the rest needed to recover from spring injuries, it was what it was and it SUCKED!
But this mornings run offered a glimmer of hope that I hadn’t lost it. I still had the ability to be better, it was just in a sort of reversed hibernation for the summer. Starting with a two mile warm up, I felt pretty good. My body felt great but I could tell I needed to work on getting my breathing back under control (nothing a little added spin class wouldn’t help). Then it was on to 400m repeats. Our coach wanted us to do 4-6 of them, but I settled for half and did three that were really strong.
Some of my peps from Lifetime Run North Austin
I don’t want to do too much too soon. This was only the beginning of a long season ahead. I have several races that I have already signed up for from now until April, including, dare I say it, my second half marathon! So a little at a time will be just fine for now.
2 mile warm up, 3×400, 1 mile cool down, 61 degrees @ 7am
- 2 mile warm up average pace 9:35
- 1 mile cool down pace 9:24
- 3×400 @ 7:08, 6:59, 7:02
- Average cadence between 178-194
