The Track. My Eternal Frenemy. |
In August, I conquered an irrational running fear--the track. Seriously, I was afraid of running at the track and definitely afraid of trying to be something I've never been--fast. It was way less scary to just say, "Oh, no biggie, I'm a slow runner" than to actually try to work to get faster! But I sucked it up and started my speedwork journey!
My first time at the track, my plan was to run 3 x 400, or 3 laps around the track. I swapped my garmin for my good old timex ironman stopwatch, jogged an easy lap to warm up, then headed to the "starting line" for my first speed lap. I hit the start button on my watch and got running! After one lap, I stopped my watch, and walked it out. I think the idea for speedwork is to jog between intervals, but as a run/walker and a total speed newbie, I definitely need a walk after each lap! I usually walk down and back one straightaway on the track after a lap, then get ready to do another. My goal is just to make each lap faster than the one before--sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't!
During my 5K training and beyond into my half-marathon training, I've run the same number of 400s two weeks in a row, then added another lap. This week was 7 x 400. Holy tired. I totally hate speedwork, I'm not gonna lie. It hurts, it's tiring, and it's pretty darn boring. Not as bad as the dreadmill, but the track is not exactly a forest preserve trail! To be honest, I know it's totally wrong, but I tend to stop, sit, or even lay down between 400s towards the end...I know, I know, totally not the right way to do speedwork, but like I said, I'm doing the best I can!
At the end of the day, yes, it's painful, and yes, I'm not exactly doing speedwork 100% by the books, but at the end of the day I can say that I'm way faster now than when I started. My easy runs are now in the 10:30s instead of the 11:30s, my long runs are in the 11:30s instead of the 12:00s, and I finsihed my speedy 5K with an average of 9:25. When I ran the Zoo Run Run 5K with Katy last month, she commented that I definitely have gotten faster! Sooo even though I'm not into pain and totally dread my speedwork session every week, I will keep doing what I have to do if it means I might be able to nail the elusive sub 2:30 next month! Fingers crossed!
What does your speedwork look like?
Speedwork: love it? hate it? deal with it?
Thank you I can teach and still have a life!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shoutout, Amy!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo how many times each week do you do your speedwork? And since I don't teach math (LOL), do you do:
3 laps 3 times with a walk lap between?
3 single laps with a walk lap between each?
Does that make sense?
It's really late! :)
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Hi Shannon! If the workout is 3 x 400, I sprint a lap, walk break, sprint another lap, walk break, and sprint a third lap. If it's 6x400, same thing but 6 fast laps with walking in between.
DeleteI actually like speed work but I'm intimidated by the track -- I always imagine everyone at the university track is an elite runner. Your plan sounds good to me and hey! it worked!
ReplyDelete❀Barbara❀
My Running Shortz
Amy-
ReplyDeleteI know why I was confused. The track at my school is small-not the standard track. It takes 8 laps to make a mile. I would have to sprint 2 laps to make 400m. I think. :)
I think I'll try a 1 X 400 tomorrow. :)
Shannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com