This week has been filled with ups and downs, but when it comes to running, it’s been a really great week for me.
Man, remember warm weather? (Ok, it’s always warm in San Diego.)
Grove Run 5k, 2012
Monday – Unplanned rest day. The week started off rough. What is rough? Oh, you know, someone stealing my lunch out of communal refrigerator at work. So unbelievably weird and gross. Needless to say, the speed work session I had planned didn’t happen since the FOOD I had planned didn’t happen…
Tuesday - Belated speed work. Ladders: 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 1600m, 400m at 7:10s (my Yasso pace) with a 1.5-2mi warm-up and cool-down. There was snow everywhere, so an actual track was out of the question. This meant a treadmill session involving lots of button-pushing.
This took almost everything out of me, and it was one of those workouts where I decided up front that I had to go there to get it done. Where is “there”? Pain Station, just past Uncomfortable Corner and right before Dying in a Ditch. The 1600m distance interval at this speed has been a killer for me, so it felt really good to knock it out. I was nervous that my legs would be a little shot going into Wednesday’s pacing run, but instead of worrying about it, I made some chili.
Note: In a strange twist of events, my lunch reappeared in the fridge Tues morning. And no, I didn’t just miss it the 17 times I checked on Monday. It was removed and replaced, uneaten. Because its whereabouts are unaccounted for, it will remain uneaten.
Wednesday – Pacing run. I’ll be honest. I’ve had pacing runs on my schedule for four weeks now, and this is only the second one I’ve completed and the FIRST time I can honestly say I nailed it. It felt INCREDIBLE. I actually let out an audible “YESSSSS” at the end, my fist halfway in the air for a congratulatory “pump” before I realized I was in public.
Thinking back to TCM training, I remember hitting 9mi at goal marathon pace and truly starting to believe that I was capable of my sub-4 goal. Now, I’m right there all over again (5 weeks earlier than I was at this point in my TCM cycle!). This week has made me believe that my BQ is a viable goal, and that I’m capable of things far greater than I’ve ever allowed myself to believe.
Thursday – Recovery run. With up to 4″ of snow expected tonight, and a lovely “winter mix” currently fall from the sky, I’ll be at the gym again tonight. Just enough time between work and volleyball to squeeze in some easy miles and a burrito. I’m going to sleep well tonight.
After my run last night, I was inundated with an unbelievable amount of support from Team Race With Us. I was truly touched by their promises to be right there with me in Wisconsin, and their encouragement and belief in my goal.
Now I want to know what was in your lunch that someone stole it and then returned it. Don’t lie, I bet it was dried seaweed, vegan, amaze balls.
Your last quote is amazing. I wish I could see you BQ because I have no doubt you will do it!
It was a tupperware bowl filled with potato corn chowder! Maybe if it had been vegan seaweed it would have been left alone! (By me, especially!)
“Welcome to St. Paul!”