Speed is relative….as they say, so when I say I am FAST, I mean fast for me. I know I don’t have to say it again, but I am a slow runner. I own it, it’s ok. It’s just who I am.
This morning I had a 5 mile “speed” run planned. This included a 1 mile super slow warm-up, 3 – 1 mile “sprints”, and a 1 mile super slow cool down. I was hoping to negative split the three miles. My goal was to do 11:15, 11:10, and 11:05. My average pace is around 12:00 – 12:30 so this was still a pretty quick pace for me. My 5K PR is an 11:15 pace….so seriously this would be fast for me.
 |
| No, this is not really me, but I was this excited! |
I run early, as in 5am and still completely dark early. So I can’t see my Garmin. I have no idea what my pace is. After my 1 mile warm up, I just decided to run at a good pace. One that felt difficult, but not overwhelming. I pushed myself and when mile 2 beeped I pushed the light on my Garmin and what popped up – 10:49. What? 10:49, who’s this girl? I just ran 1 mile in 10:49. That’s smoking fast. I still wanted to do negative splits, but I had just ran too fast. What the heck, I’ll push it and see what happens. Mile 3 – 10:33……HOLY Toledo! Now I was done for, no way could I go faster than that for my 4th mile, but I’ll give it all I’ve got. Mile 4 – 10:30…..wahooo I ROCKED it! I negative split like a CHAMP!! Mile 5, slow, slow, cool down. I couldn’t believe it. I would have killed my 5K PR this morning and the weather was even hot. It was 70 degrees this morning with 70% humidity. Not exactly ideal running conditions.
What a great way to start the day. Now, I have to tell you the complete truth. I did stop in between each mile for a quick stretch, just to make sure I didn’t pull anything. I’m not sure I could have put those times together consecutively, but even with the short break, I was super happy with my run!! I love it when a plan comes together!
Now, tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll be back to my old slow self, but that’s ok. At least I know I have it in me to go faster. Those miles in the 10:30s are my fastest miles on record. That’s right, I broke a record this morning baby!! Love it!
*********************************
Thanks for all the thoughtful and wonderful comments on my blog lately about my shoulder injury! Seriously, you guys are so awesome! If you missed my update, read it here. I started my PT last night. Fingers crossed things go well!
WOOT for speed! I totally thought that picture was of you at first and I wondered if Jim gets tired of taking pictures of you for your blog or if he grins and bears it. My husband is not thrilled when I ask him to come take a picture of me sitting on my big ball or something equally as silly for blog purposes. Some silly people just don't get it ;-)
ReplyDeleteWay to run it. If your pace is slow then I am epically slow. I run about a 17 min mile but in all fairness, I kinda just started. Your blog is great inspiration.
ReplyDeletewhoo hooo!!!! LOVE some negative splits!!!
ReplyDeleteHahahahahah ... she thought that pic was of you!!!!!!! Nice curlers!!!! That's is an AWESOME AWESOME ... did I say AWESOME run!!!!!! You da woman!!! Of course I already knew this as I am reminded every day! Great job sweetie! Lookout Kara Goucher!
ReplyDeleteAwesomely good job!! You are SO going to rock that marathon in January!
ReplyDeleteWTG, negative splits are awesome! I must call you speedy now!
ReplyDeleteNice job on the run!
ReplyDeletecongrats!! what an awesome feeling :)
ReplyDeleteI predict and I will come back to this comment when it happens, but I predict you will be sub10 before 2012 in a training run or race.
ReplyDeleteAs one slow runner to another WOO HOO!!!! So very happy for you!!!! That is one A-W-E-S-O-M-E run!
ReplyDeleteFeels good, doesn't it? Nice work, Michael!!
ReplyDeleteNice!! Nice! Beep Beep! Roadrunner! Now that you know you have it in you'll I'm sure you'll be trying those miles on again!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! Love it and wait to go. It would have been so easy for you to back off and slow down after the first repeat but you stuck to your guns and still ran negative splits. Wait to go!!!
ReplyDeleteTHAT IS AWESOME!!!!!! What a great way to start the day :)
ReplyDeleteI *love* that. Aren't you glad it was dark, so you didn't inadvertently slow yourself down? :^)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
YAY for a great pace! You probably are capable of way more speed then you realize...
ReplyDeleteNice job!
wahoo! Congrats, that's a huge accomplishment and you totally rock! I know what it feels like to cut some time off miles and I bet pretty soon you will be doing those times back to back without any stretching.
ReplyDeleteNice job and don't assume you will revert back tomorrow. Or if you do there is the next day! Don't be a doubting Michael. You can be faster!
ReplyDeleteSo I might be extrapolating way off the page here - but it looks like the cycling and swimming may have been holding you back. ( Can you tell that I'm just a runner?!)
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the run! It's so cool when you can surprise yourself like that. I agree with Big Daddy Diesel, you will hit a sub-10 mile in no time!
ReplyDeleteNegative splits are always hard, but you made very well and you also improve your PR!! Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteNice! And no need to confess or apologize that you took a break between the intervals. You're supposed to!! Hell, after track intervals I do a complete lap as recovery before the next set, and depending on how hard the interval was, I walk nearly half of it before jogging again to the starting point.
ReplyDeleteExcellent speed work, way to knock that out!!! Fingers crossed the PT does the magic!
ReplyDeleteWAY TO GO!!! You rocked the negative splits in fashion.
ReplyDelete