14 years

That's how long it's been since my last track workout. Yesterday's was pansy-ass compared to what I used to do and it, predictably, kicked my pansy-ass as well. There was a time when I'd turn a 20 quarter workout in at about 63 seconds per quarter. We'd rest a 100 meters between each, 400 meters after every set of five. This was a tough workout, but not unreasonable.

Last night we ran 6 quarters after a ten minute warmup and an 800 at "training pace". The quarters were supposed to be at 60% (of max speed for 400 meters), then 70%, 80% and so on, up to 100%, then back down to 70%. We finished it off with another 800 at training pace.

The idea was to teach people about pace, who have no idea what their limits are. This was good for me because, frankly, I've no idea what kind of shape I'm in and my sense of pace is shot-- or so I thought. Turns out my sense of pace is OK. It's my sense of how fast I should be that's all out of wack.

I figured I could still turn in a 60 second quarter if the chips were down and I was asked to go all out (this is off from my best time of 52 -- I was never very fast), so I based my first four off of that and I hit the correct time on each, plus of minus a second or two. Not too shabby. After turning in the 90% at 73 seconds and not feeling too bad, I figured a 60 was in me.

I figured wrong. I ran 70 flat and felt that I gave it everything I got. There was a time when that was my mile pace (which is actually pretty damn slow for a competitive runner). I knew I was nowhere near that, but SEVENTY SECONDS? For an ALL OUT 1/4 mile?

Did I mention that running is hard?

PS I'm on pace with my fundraising at least, but I need your help for the final stretch. Please consider donating if you haven't already:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/lavatri09/dtuffy

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Day 26 of training: (first track workout in 14 years)
Group rides: 3
Solo rides: 6
Resistance training: 4
Spin classes: 2
Pool Swims: 4
Maintenance Runs: 7
Ocean Swims: 3
Track workout: 1