What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

That was my theme for yesterday's track workout. 20 x 400. Twenty. Times. 400. At 5K pace.

I'll admit I was scared, but I've been scared about other track workouts, too, and didn't let it stop me, and I sure wasn't going to this time, either.

As I have been for most of my track workouts this training cycle, I went back to my neighborhood loop. The people who live in that neighborhood must think I'm a total freak, running in circles for upwards of an hour. But I have to say, I've found it slightly less torturous than running in circles around the track, so I don't care if I'm making a spectacle of myself - it's working, so I'm sticking with it.

The first 10 repeats weren't horrible. They were hard, sure, but I got through them ok.

I somehow had this crazy thought that being halfway done would make me feel better. Um, nope. Ten through 15 were increasingly difficult, and I was feeling really defeated.

Then I reminded myself that I was in the middle of a really, really intense workout - something I never could have even attempted a few years ago - and although it was tough, I was getting it done! 

I got through repeats 15, 16, and 17 on the loop, but then had to head back toward the gym - this was a really long workout, and I was simply running out of time, so I'd have to do the final three repeats on the road - which, unfortunately, would mean running one of them on an incline.

I wasn't looking forward to that, but I just sucked it up and got it done. The final 2 400s were definitely slower than 5K pace, but I was fine with that. At that point, frankly, I was happy just to still be standing. My legs were jell-o, and my lungs were ready to burst.

Mission accomplished, though - and another epic workout completed on the road to what will hopefully be a nice PR in Gansett.

Since I'm running the New Bedford Half this weekend, I'm going to take it easy on my tempo run this week. I think I'll run the first 2 miles easy, do 4 miles at tempo pace, and then run the final 2 easy.

As I ran my repeats the other day, I was in shorts and a tank top, enjoying more glorious early spring weather here in the Northeast. It actually almost felt hot, and I was reminded of how much tougher workouts like that are going to feel when the weather really warms up.

For now, though, it's perfect - dry, sunny days with temperatures in the 50s and low 60s. It's been a fabulous winter for marathon training, and I'm hoping it ends up being a fabulous day to run a marathon in 4 1/2 weeks.

It's also been spectacular weather for keeping the kids active - nearly every day we're outside for at least an hour after school. Gabe and Dante love it, of course, and Carmine - I've never seen a kid who's so happy to play outside. He's constantly asking to go "atside, atside, atside," and I'm happy to oblige.

Yesterday I was playing catch with him. I was standing just about a foot away from him and tossing him the ball, and granted, I wasn't throwing from far away, but I was still impressed that he was catching it!  And every time he'd catch the ball, he'd laugh hysterically and then throw it back to me.

I thought he'd stop laughing after the first few times - that maybe the novelty would wear off. But he just kept right on laughing, as if playing catch were the funniest thing in the entire world. Ah, to be two years old......

Comments

[Laura]

Holymoly girl, 20 X 400? That is intense! Way to go!
I love the things that make 2 year olds laugh, I'm really loving this age!

[Wes]

I haven't done many track workouts. I did a few. I even did a 5K time trial on a track before a PR attempt. That was cool. Kinda. 20x400? yikes! a little fear goes a long way, but I bet you wouldn't trade that feeling of accomplishment in for the world!