Today I decided to do some kind of interval-ly training. My speed running outdoors yesterday, 5.7 or so, was higher than I’ve been running indoors on the treadmill (usually 5 or 5.5mph). So clearly I am capable of running slightly faster than I think. I am still pretty darn slow, though, so some sort of interval/sprint training needs to happen and sprints terrify me. So fake intervals it is.
So I ran quarter-mile sections, running anywhere from 5.5 to 6mph. Not real intervals, no, and not exactly a triumph, either. At the conclusion of the workout, I had run 2 miles at an average speed of 5.6mph. That’s a bust compared to yesterday, even.
I think it’s probably a result of a couple factors: first, that quarter miles are not right for intervals. Second, the treadmill really sucks. After only a couple of outdoor runs, I’m realizing how much faster everything goes by if you are outside than in. Also, normally when I run on the treadmill I have the TV on, which provides some level of distraction, but because I was monitoring the mileage I just stared at the screen and thought about how slow I was. Plus, I was in a hurry to get to allergy shots before they ended for the day, I was hungry and my left leg is sort of janky (an ongoing issue - any suggestions here besides new shoes? It’s gotten better than it used to be as I’ve gotten stronger, and I have a crappy little elastic Ace brace that I wear after runs usually that seems to help…) Finally, I do seriously need a real workout mix. I’ve been missing one for a month since I accidentally erased the one that Zoe (tear!) and Peattie accidentally-on-purpose-collaboratively made for me, and I have been meaning to reload my iPod with new stuff and a new, purposeful mix.
So there we go. I think I’ll do real intervals next week on my “2 mi/cross-training” day. I’m thinking that’s a good opportunity to do the stuff to make me faster.
Summary:
- 2.06 miles
- 22 minutes
- 5.6 mph
