Thursday, March 10, 2011

Three Things Thursday, speed edition ...

1. Since I am tapering right now, it's only natural that I feel like I could run forever but that I am being held back by the limited miles on my training plan (everyone feels this way, right?) Well, since I am sticking to the plan and cutting my mileage, my stored up energy seems to be manifesting itself in the form of speed training.

Yesterday morning, IronJ (awesome article about her brother and injury prevention HERE), G (on the bike) and I took the strollers out for a six mile run. It was nice. We chatted. And laughed. And the kids behaved. And when we finished, we had somehow managed an 8:50 pace. WITH THE STROLLERS. Really not sure how that happened.

2. Since I had 10 on the schedule yesterday, I needed to finish up my miles after the girls were in bed. My legs were feeling pretty strong, so I decided that I would throw a one mile time trial in the middle of my four miler. I hadn't run a time trial in almost a year (2 miles @ 7:24 pace), so I just kind of guessed what I thought I could hold and followed Dorothy's tips HERE.

I did a mile warm up, followed by a 1.2 mile time trial (just to be sure) and a 2 mile cool down. That mile was my fastest recorded mile EVER - 6:33. Yeah, I killed it. And it was wicked hard. I can't imagine holding that pace for one step more than I did. Crazy.

3. And considering I took it SO easy yesterday, I woke up bright and early for another 5 miles in the pouring rain and wind. When I left my house, I didn't really remember which Posse members said they were running today, but I was going to "take it easy." Um, about that.

It just couldn't happen. The only other people who showed up were speedy pants, 3L and the Illusive Dave. I knew I was in trouble. I told them I ran hard the day before and to feel free to leave me, but they protested and instead ran what was an "easy" pace for them and a kick in the face for me. When I finished my five (they ran six), my Garmin showed an average pace of 8:30. I'm going to need a nap today ...

31 comments:

Carmen said...

You are my mom hero! I struggle to stay at 10 with my stroller. You are really having a great training cycle. Now stay stomach bug free for this race and you are going to kick booty.

Unknown said...

AWESOME! Love that speedy time trial! Don't worry about that nap, I'll take it for you :)

Zoƫ said...

It's a good thing I like YOU, Miss Speedy, or else I might hop a plane to VA and punch ya. Hot DAMN, TMB! Way to go on that 6:33 mile! :)

Rachel said...

Whoa. Awesome on that 6:33 mile!

Earth Momma Mer said...

just wondering if you ran the time trial in your streaks or your regular training shoes?

Marlene said...

Look at you, Speedy McGee! Awesome that your legs (and mind!) are feeling so fresh during the taper. You are ready to go.

BigHappyFamily said...

I haven't run with the jogging stroller ... about ever ... it's so hard. Nice work!

Running Ricig said...

holy cow that was a fast mile! You are speedy!!!

You definitely deserve a nap today!

Karen said...

Isn't it shocking how fast you can go if you know you only have to go "all out" for a mile? I had a coach you talked me into doing the mile at a track meet a few years back. Can't remember the time now but remember being so surprised at how many minutes faster it was than what I thought I would be able to do.

Carly said...

I really should do a time trial, but I digress. Awesome job!

Anonymous said...

Yipppeee for taper! you're going to do so awesome!!

Unknown said...

Holy cr*p! 6:33! Honestly, I can't even imagine running that fast. Nice job speedy.

Emily said...

6:33? Hello speedy mcfast. You are going to kill it at national.

fancy nancy said...

Speedy girl!!!! I honestly think that running with a stroller has made me faster....I need to get her out in it so I can ramp it up again! Speedy week for you!!

Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman said...

Tapering sure makes you speedy!! Gotta' love it.

Take your nap. Then go run a 6:15. haha

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Wow... 6:33. I remember a while ago you said someone told you that they thought you had "untapped speed." They were obviously right.

5 Miles Past Empty said...

Nice job on the fast mile!! Sounds like you could KILL a 5k right now!!!

Lisa @ Eat.Pray.Run. said...

woohoo! reading this makes me wanna go out and RUN!! you're awesome!!

Katie said...

awesome on the mile time. you are ready!!

Unknown said...

6:33 AWESOME!!! I could only wish!!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

WOWEE!! YOu are coming into some great things.. No Taper madness at all. CONGRATS! Confidence, believe, you will be GREAT!

Laura said...

6:33?!! Holy..you are speed-ie.

Anonymous said...

A 6:33 is impressive. It's always rewarding to get a new PR in the mile. It's an easy benchmark to see how much faster of a runner you're becoming. Congrats!

Unknown said...

Hello speedy-pants! I love it! :)

Rachel said...

Holy crap! Why do you never cease to amaze me? I was thinking I'd meet you at National, but I'm pretty sure you'll be a blur! Nice work girl.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Holy speedy pants! You are burning the roads up. Enjoy that nap.

Beth said...

Speedy indeed. You have been rocking it lately!

Unknown said...

6:33 mile? You're my hero!!

Terri said...

I am totally impressed!

Anonymous said...

awesome, opossum!
way to go.

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

Congrats on your mile :)