Tuesday morning’s speedwork session was a killer. I tried to keep my mind on only the interval that I was on rather than how many I had left to do. My results were good. Each interval was near, if not within, Coach Jeff‘s pace range.
I ran circles around the girl’s field hockey team who was practicing in the center field. I watched their faces as I passed. They were watching mine.
The girl’s tennis team joined me on the track. Their coach timed them as they ran a mile. Each of my 400 meter interval took me past the entire team. Generally, after I passed their fastest teammate I would end my interval and walk for about 100 yards. Then I would jog the balance of my 200 meter recovery and begin again.
By the time I was starting up my seventh 400 the last teammate was finishing. Her teammates cheered her in. The team gathered by the goal for sprints as I continued on and I heard someone murmur, “dang.”
At the other side of the track the field hockey coach could be heard asking for “150%” from her players. She did her best to motivate the girls to keep up the effort. Often, I took her comments for myself. When their coach said, “Good job,” I said, “Thank you.” I watched the team work when I was in my recovery phase, and visa versa. They finished up just as I began my final 400. Then I ran home for my cool down.
The excitement leading up to Chicago is building as my training hits its peak. The successful completion of my speedwork sessions coupled with the survival of my long runs is encouraging. I can’t believe that it is coming finally (and already).
After updating my white board to read, “45 days until race day,” I left my air-conditioned office to run. My boss caught me long enough to caution me about running in the heat. Apparently I was very HOT outside. Who knew? I took her words to heart and began to reconsider my plans to go outside for a run. The fitness center was beginning to look more appealing.
Normally I wouldn’t be such a wimp, but the fact is that my medication cautions against being out in the heat. It advocates hydrating well. I had done just the opposite, however, drinking my two cups of coffee and nothing more. So I decided to play it safe and run on the treadmill.
Garminia, myPod, and I headed off to the gym were all three of us shared a ‘mill for 5.35 miles. We all had to work together in order to make it work. Garminia kept the time, myPod entertained us, and I kept the pace.
Sounds great Juls! I don’t know how you can run on the treadmill – I hate them. For one thing, they give me motion sickness. Don’t you just love it when those youngsters at the track are impressed? For that brief time, you were a role model for them. They are going to think about you for days, and maybe sometime in the future too. Way to go!
What a great run on the track, nothing like a few spectators to keep you moving.
Treadmill running: I generally hate it too but there is a time and place for everything. This was one of those times. I was happy for the entertainment that myPod provided. I don’t think I could have gotten through it without her – I had to borrow headphones from the boss as I was without mine.
Role modeling: Humm? I’m not sure if it was exactly that. The tennis team was impressed but I am not so sure that the field hockey team felt the same. Their coach was working them hard. Wind sprints, etc. She had them going the whole time that I was there. Although I also had a warm up and cool down off-track. It was all good. I impressed myself and that is what matters.
again, juls, i’m very impressed. you’re really looking like you’re going to be amazing in chicago!
Kudos to you for doing 5.35 miles on a treadmill. I know we just have to do what we have to do sometimes but that makes the effort no less laudable.
I’m surprised those tennis players didn’t cheer you in on your last 400. You deserved it.
The tennis team was long gone by the time I finished. In fact, the faculty was probably fearing that I’d never stop wearing out their center lanes. They were moving the baracade arms out just as I was finishing up. :)
I really don’t think you should shake the role model comment off! You never know how many of those girls saw you out there doing that today and decided that they would maintain their health in the same way…and even if they didn’t think it today, that’s not to say some day years down the road they won’t remember you out there running :)
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You are doing such a fantastic job.
I love the story about the track! You are amazing!
That is so neat about the track! I bet they were all wondering who you were.
I bet those girls were secretly in awe of your ability to run circles around them — and at twice their age!
dang, you’re good.
:)
I used to play field hockey, I miss the “team” feeling. Nice work on your training!
Your training sounds great! That had to feel good to impress the teams that were running, too!