Three weeks in a row of running with the Oak Park Runners Club. Everyone I've met so far has been super nice even if they are all faster than me. Last night, though, I ran with a gal who is running her first half-marathon on September 13th. She's aiming for a 10 minute per mile pace. We were WAY at the back of the pack last night for the first four miles. She kept telling me to speed up if I wanted to, but I know what it's like to be at the back and alone. I stuck with her until after our water stop at mile 4. Then I hung with another woman who really pushed me for the last mile. Especially the last half mile. We did that at an 8:30 pace!
I did feel like I could have gone a little bit faster during those first four miles. Regardless, I got a 5 mile+ run in and chatted with some new people. I think I'm going to sign up to volunteer for the Chicago Marathon with the group. Every year they staff a water station. It would be hard work, but I'm sure a lot of fun.
I'm thinking about running to the group start and then running home afterward. It's about 1.5 miles each way so it would make my Monday night run a total of 8 miles. My only concern with this is that I'm already worn out on Tuesdays after doing the 5.5 or so. I skipped running at lunch today for several reason. One is that it's hard for me to do two runs so close together.
The other reason I skipped my lunch run today is because this evening I have my first Total Body Conditioning class at the Y. Since I have no idea what this will entail, I didn't want to wear myself out beforehand. If it doesn't totally wipe me out, I'll try to do some speedwork on the treadmill afterwards. So, tell me, what's your favorite speed workout?
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Stats
Activity| Route: | -- | Elev. Avg: | 628 ft | | Location: | Forest Park, IL | Elev. Gain: | +3 ft | | Date: | 08/24/09 | Up/Downhill: | [+22/-19] | | Time: | 06:34 PM | Difficulty: | 2.5 / 5.0 | | | | Weather: | A Few Clouds | | | 76 F temp; 51% humidity | | | 77 F heat index; winds SW 10 |
| Distance: | 5.45 miles | | |
| Time: | 0:52:40 | | Speed: | 6.2 mph | | | | Pace: | 9' 40 /mi | | | | Calories: | 642 | | |
 Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits| Mile | Pace (min/mile) | Speed (mph) | Elevation
Gain |
|---|
| actual | +/- avg | actual | +/- avg |
|---|
| 1 | 9' 07 | -0' 33 | 6.6 | +0.4 | 0 ft | | 2 | 9' 13 | -0' 27 | 6.5 | +0.3 | -9 ft | | 3 | 9' 45 | +0' 05 | 6.2 | -0.1 | +3 ft | | 4 | 10' 47 | +1' 07 | 5.6 | -0.6 | +7 ft | | 5 | 9' 57 | +0' 17 | 6.0 | -0.2 | 0 ft | | end | 8' 24 | -1' 16 | 7.1 | +0.9 | +3 ft | | Versus average of 9' 40 min/mile |
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5 comments:
I hope you like your new class. I'm sure it'll be great!
My favorite speedworkout is one I did the other night and loved it: 1600, 1200, 800, 400, 200 (meters). Each one is shorter than the previous so mentally you know you can go faster with each new interval.
Awww, we won't be able to hang out at the marathon this year! That'll be good if you help at the water station though.
That's so nice of you to run with that woman in your group. That is so sweet.
Speedwork Hmmm...
That will be so cool if you volunteer at the marathon! I am super excited to see it. We have a friend running, and a few bloggers are as well... and I think my BiL will be in town to watch with us. I was talking to someone tonight about the people who do the drinks for the elite runners. I guess all the elites drop off their drinks before the runs and this group has to make sure they get them. Stressful!
I usually do "speed workouts" on the TM cause I'm bored. I'll do a mile or two and then speed up and slow down just to make the next mile go by faster. Then, cool down for another mile. I'm beginning to hate the TM. And...well, I know that's not really a great speed workout I really wanted to comment and say how nice it was of you to stick with that "slower" gal during your run. Very cool.
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