Monday, May 18, 2009

Seven Days until Showdown

After my interval bailout last week, I redeemed myself Saturday with 800-meter repeats and a slow-ass 10-mile long run on Sunday. I have already matched my April mileage with two weeks to go. And not to disappoint, I sent you into the weekend with a big fat red FAIL, and now I welcome you this week with the same.

The statistical rundown:
  • Intervals: 6 x 800 meters
  • Goal pace: 7:19-7:39 per mile
  • Lap 1: 3:39.62 (7:21 per mile)
  • Lap 2: 3:50.17 (7:43 per mile) FAIL
  • Lap 3: 3:44.29 (7:31 per mile)
  • Lap 4: 3:46.88 (7:35 per mile)
  • Lap 5: 3:52.93 (7:47 per mile) FAIL
  • Lap 6: 3:43.17 (7:29 per mile)
  • Average pace: 7:35 per mile
  • Total distance: 6.2 miles
Since I started running six 800-meter repeats, the fastest pace I've been able to average is 7:35 per mile. I also have not been able to escape the track without at least two intervals slower than my goal pace. I have one more track session scheduled before my Memorial Day 5-K showdown with Mike. Is it possible to improve my speed with only a week to go?

Sunday's long run was sluggish. I loped along slowly at 10:28 per mile for the first five miles, thinking I would pick it up on the return trip. Only when I turned around did I discover I'd been running with a tailwind. I ran slowly back, but with a stronger effort, averaging a 10:25 pace for the entire 10 miles.

Congrats to all the Booze Hound finishers of the Cleveland Marathon and to Sarah who BQ'd. It was a perfect day to race, which figures since I didn't run and it rained the last two times I did. But I'm not bitter.

9 comments:

C said...

I have a serious, but potentially stupid question for you. How do you track all your 800m times if you don't have a Garmin? Does your sports watch have a special feature or something?

Aileen said...

I hate when you think "oh, I'll just pick up the pace when I turn around..." and then BAM, headwind time. Worst. But good for you, finishing strong and all that.

Ian said...

I love the smell of FAIL in the morning.

Lauren said...

Thanks for capping the weekend in failure. It makes me feel better about my fails. I knew there was a reason I read this blog.

Don't worry, though. I'm sure you'll get suddenly faster in the next week.

BrianFlash said...

Just do some short interval sessions this week and you'll have a finely tuned weapon for this challenge.

tfh said...

See, I think what your training plan needs is a little grade inflation-- if those were my 800s, I woulda given myself a friendly green A+ and a gold star.

Jess said...

It's always possible to magically get faster all of sudden. It's also possible that unicorns exist.

Sun Runner said...

Aw, thanks for the props. :) Maybe I'll see you at the Akron Marathon in September...?

Nitmos said...

The FAILs sure do make me smile. Thank you! However, I'm a little concerned that there are fewer of them this time than the last. I hope this isn't a trend.