numbers game
It’s been quite a while since I pulled The Crystal Method’s “Drive: Nike+ Original Run” out for a run. It’s progressively faster cadence made it the perfect choice for today’s progressive run.
Coach’s instructions were to begin at 9:30 min/mile pace and decrease by 10 seconds each mile, finishing off at 8:50 min/mile. It sounded doable.
Right from the start, I noted my pace was too fast. I tried to slow it down, keeping in mind that I didn’t want to over correct and have to make up time to hit my goal pace. I’m that way: obsessed with the numbers game. I finished off that mile at 8:57, called it 9:00, and shot for 8:50 in the next mile. Mile 2 was 8:47.
Entering into the 3rd mile, I noted that my lap pace was reading 8:10. I backed off, and off, and off — trying to relax. Before I knew it, my lap pace read 8:47 and I was left to pick up the pace in an effort to end at 8:40. By the time that mile ended, I’d successfully hit 8:41 but had to increase my pace so much that I had to stop to catch my breath. Dry heaving for a moment, I mentally scolded myself. This was never Coach’s plan for me. What the heck was I doing?
After a short rest, I resumed running. I tried to keep my focus on maintaining a steady pace rather than the numbers. I didn’t worry a lot about pace, but I did keep my eye on it. I sure was pleased when Mile 4 ended up being 8:31.
As for the final mile, I contemplated picking it up one more time but decided against it. Truth be told, I was pretty worn out still from Mile 3. I opted to just run and NOT look at the pace at all. That final mile was 8:32, leaving me happy to walk the rest of the way home.
Posted by Juls.
Filed under Running is everything
Posted on Thu, 09 July 2009 at 7:31 pm
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Life is a journey and, for me, running is a huge part of it. Just like a great run, it has easy and tough parts. It is beautiful at times and ugly at others. Hopefully, I will reach the finish feeling good about what I have accomplished and leave a long trail of bread crumbs to show, those that wish to know, where I have been.
It’s so hard to control pace. In the pool, not a problem for me. Running? I’m all over the place…
10 Jul 09 at 8:06 am #8:32 is fabulous. I’m running in the morning for the first time since two Tuesday’s ago.
10 Jul 09 at 2:16 pm #