On the bike path, the stupid bike path, the runner plods along ... sing along! (tune of "In the jungle"). Today's run didn't start off that great, as I had a side stitch immediately after starting. It got a little better as the run progressed, but it was pretty annoying.
I'm really enjoying having other bloggers following the same schedule. I get previews from Bob (1 week ahead) and Jason & Leah (2 weeks ahead), and I've got Mouse and Ryan on the same week. (Am I missing somebody?) I was thinking about this while running today, and it's just kind of cool. I've always been kind of on my own while marathon training. Well, I'm still on my own but it's nice to somewhat share the experience.
So I got to do strides this week. I decided to run out on the bike paths today, and went out for 5 miles before detouring over to the track. (The same one from the mile race last week). I would've gone out for 6, but with the kids track meet happening tonight I was worried about getting in and out of there fast enough. I decided to do something we did in track - stride the straights and jog the curves. So I did that for 5 laps. My take on strides may not be correct, but it's what we always did in track: basically, open up your stride, focus on good form and pick up the pace (but not a sprint). I probably should go faster, because I didn't find these difficult at all. But then again, with that weird track surface, it's hard to go fast. Next week maybe I'll just do them on the road.
After my strides, I got a drink from the water fountain and headed back out towards the bike paths. The south bike path goes around a golf course, and as I was running along some guys in a golf cart joked that we were racing. Sure ....
1 | 9:27
2 | 9:15 | 18:43
3 | 9:11 | 27:55
4 | 9:25 | 37:21
5 | 9:17 | 46:38
6 | 8:25 | 55:04 (3 laps w/strides)
7 | 9:06 | 1:04:10 (2 laps w/strides)
8 | 9:19 | 1:13:29
------------------------
8.05 miles w/10 x 100m strides | 1:13:57 | 9:11/mi.
I'm deviating from the schedule again. I have to take Molly to the vet for her heartworm test on Thursday, so I don't want to do my 10 mile run that day. I'm going to do it tomorrow afternoon instead. I don't think it should be a problem. I'm disappointed about this weekend - for some reason, I thought it jumped to 14 miles for the long run which is perfect for this run I've been wanting to do for awhile. But it's really only 13, which isn't long enough for the run so I have to plan something else out. Oh well!
Nice running and I agree on the plan thing. Itis so nice to have you guys out there to hold me accountable so to speak.
I agree. it's very cool to know that others are enjoying [er... maybe suffering? :)] through the same workout.
I need to remember that the strides are more about getting good form down than getting speed in. he says to "accelerate to full speed", but what the heck is that? full out sprinting? I can't keep good form while full out sprinting, so I think i'm going to follow your method from now on. maybe i'll learn to like them more that way!
Great job on those splits!
OK...I'm a bad influence, but if you really wanted to run the 14 miles, what is one more mile?? :) Maybe cut one other run down a mile??
a-weem a-way, a-weem a-way...
great splits! i say do the 14 anyway. =)
Run 13 and then walk the extra mile back to cool down. Great job on the run. When I first started doing bike paths I loved them but now there just don't seem to be enough distractions (perhaps I miss the cars trying to take me out).
Enablers!