I waited until the last possible minute to head out the door for my mile repeats on Monday. I loooooathe me some mile repeats yo. Running hard for a mile is...hard. Which must mean they're effective. Damn it. [End Rant]
My schedule called for 3 x 1600 @ 7:30 pace (with a mile warm up and 800 m. jogs in between each mile). To be honest, the schedule also suggests a 1/2 mile jog after the warm up mile (not going to happen) and a full mile cool down after the final 1/2 mile jog (again not happening). So instead of the 7 miles, I was already down to 5 1/2. Looks good to me!
After my inital warm up mile my legs felt pretty heavy. I hadn't ran since Thursday and I could feel it. Two days of rest is perfection. Three days and my legs get rusty. It's science, I swear. After the first 1/4 of a mile, my legs started to feel good, and every time I checked my pace it seemed to be right at the 7:30 mark. Imagine my surprise when it actually clocked in at 7:44. GRR!
When the 1/2 mile jog was up, I decided to set the virtual partner to 7:30 pace, as that seems to be a better indicator of pace than the pace on the Garmin's front (don't ask why). Since I was sweating profusely, my bezel got all confussled and thought I was jabbing it repeatedly when really that was many droplets of sweat coating the watch. I literally spent 5 minutes trying to get it figured out, only to realize it was still on cycling mode from Sunday's bike ride. UGH! I tried to change that too, and eventually got it under control.
My next mile came in at 7:36. The final mile I switched off the virtual pace (since I have my Garmin locked b/c of the "perspiration issue" I can't toggle between the Virtual Pace and screen that shows the distance, which is beyond annoying) and tried to run by feel. The last mile was at 7:41. Fiddlesticks. I was super bummed, until the following morning when I saw on the schedule that the mile repeat pace range was 7:28-7:45. So then I was happy. :) Made me realize that I'm not quite where I thought I'd be as far as 5k pace/speed, so I shouldn't be surprised that I haven't hit my 22:xx 5k goal for this summer. The workout also gave me some great confidence going in to Saturday's 5k. PR or BUST!! Or else just have fun doing something you love....one of the two. ;)
first of all i'm always reading you on google reader so i haven't seen your blog background (did you change it?) i LOVE it! the shading/bubbles are so cool.
ReplyDeletecongrats on great mile repeats within your target range!!!! i think as long as you are pushing hard, even if you're outside of the target range, it is still a good workout. but you hit your target - way to go :) running hard AND far is always most challening.
I'm going to hop in the boat with you! I also hate mile repeats. So very much! You did so good! Good luck at the 5K on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hate mile repeats. Hence I never do them.
ReplyDeleteGood job sticking with it, despite the perspiration issue.
I haven't done Mile repeats yet b/c I also hate them. I choose Tempo runs instead ;)
ReplyDeleteMy G gets all crazy with sweat coverage too! I HATE IT. Seriously, that piece of technology should've taken into account that people perspire. And that some people perspire a LOT. C'mon now.
I hate mile repeats. I usually chicken and out and do some other form of speedwork instead, so good for you for getting them done!
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of mile repeats. You did great! You are going to rock this 5K!
ReplyDeleteDid you actually just say fiddlesticks? LOL! Oh Jeri, how I miss you! (Because I suck at commenting lately) Great job on the mile repeats girl! You're going to kill the race!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the mile repeats! They totally suck but they will make you faster! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteDon't get so down on yourself. Those are some mighty impressive times!
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