Speed

I had every intention of writing this post last week. Obviously that didn't happen! What can I say? I've been busy working out, preparing and eating clean meals, taking care of a 3 year old, and working a full time job. Oh and of course there's a lovely thing called sleep, which I get 8 hours of. :) If you say you don't have the time, then you need to adjust your priorities.

Okay, back to the topic at hand! I've always considered myself a slow runner. I don't think it makes me any less of a runner though. I can run for 3 hours straight without stopping once, just as long as I'm doing a 12-13 minute per mile pace. Slow and steady!

This year I started doing speed workouts again, something I hadn't done since 2009. I actually love doing sprints. I hate doing anything longer than a 400 (quarter mile or once around a track), but I still do it when it's on the schedule. Last Tuesdays workout called for 4x1600 which is 4 fast miles with a recovery lap in between each one. Holy moly!

I got to the track a little early and decided not to waste any time. It was still light out and I knew it wasn't going to last long. I ran 2 laps and still didn't see anyone so I kept going. I ended up running a full mile then going in to use the restroom. When I came back out still no one had showed! 2nd week in a row!

The weather wasn't bad but the sun had gone down by this point and the track was dark. I started sprinting 200's on the side closest to my car. Another runner showed up and he looked harmless (and I figured with him on the track it would be less likely someone would come after me), so I went back to doing full laps.

We caught up to each other and got to talking. Turns out he works nights and runs on his break. We ended up running together for a mile at a good pace and it went by really fast! He finished warming up and went on to do his thing.

I kept going for another 2 miles or so. I wasn't really following the schedule but I was running at a faster pace than normal. When I finished, I had gone 5 miles in under 49 minutes!! I was completely blown away! And I felt like I could've continued. It's one thing to run a fast mile but 5? And the first mile had been a warm-up!

I have 2 main goals- run a 5k in under 30 minutes and a 10k in under 60. For the first time I really feel like
it could happen. Eating clean, strength training, and speed work is making me a better runner!

Saturday I ran 10 miles in 2 hours and 2 minutes. My last long run before the Rock 'n' Roll Half this Saturday! I can't wait and I'm actually looking forward to it (except for the whole waking up before 5am part). I hope the weather is as nice as it was this weekend. It was gorgeous!

I'm also looking forward to begin running with this little guy again. If not this week then probably next!

Have a great week!!