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.