Friday, July 31, 2009

Well I'm glad THAT'S done

Yesterday's LT/tempo run was not pretty. It's true that we Canadians like to complain about the weather (see Marci's post) and I was not loving the 25C/77F (30C/86F with humidex) when we set out around 6:30.

Once again, it seemed like it was going to be a craptacular run. I was struggling at our easy warm-up pace before we even got close to the park where we would complete the LT portion.

But at some point along the way, I thought to myself: it is what it is, so suck it up and get it done! Complaining wasn't going to make it any easier, so I ignored the fact that I could hardly breathe and the fact that my clothes were soaked through after 10 minutes and the fact that all I wanted to do was jump into a cold pool of water (even the boggy pond looked appealing).

And we were off. As I mentioned yesterday, our target pace was 5:00-5:10/KM (8:03-8:19/mi). I held on for the first half, but slowed down after the turnaround. Splits were: 5:27, 4:47, 5:06, 5:02, 5:18, 6:11. The first one was too slow, second was too fast, third and fourth were perfect, fifth was when I was ready to lay down on the sidewalk and die and I pretty much threw in the towel half way through the 6th. It was brutal, but I think I did okay overall. We have the same workout next week, so I'll be looking to improve. (Some cooler weather would be nice...)

And now, it's Friday! We're camping for the weekend, so have a good one and I'll catch up on the other side!

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job! Enjoy camping - that sounds great!

Lindsay said...

that is often the zone i have get it on my hard runs - just suck it up. "run the mile you're in". it'll feel good when it's over... etc. nice job hanging in there and working the LT pace! i know you felt accomplished when you were finished. enjoy your weekend!

ShirleyPerly said...

I'm definitely neck-deep in the suck it up zone as there is no relief from the heat in FL until November, maybe. Good job getting it done. Have fun camping!

B.o.B. said...

That self motivating talk always helps me too. Great job.

Have fun camping! TGIF!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

you did better than ok!! You did awesome! have fun camping this weekend :)

Mark said...

Way to go!!! Great job... Have fun on the camping trip!!

Jamie said...

Way to suck it up and have a great workout! Have fun camping this weekend!

Anonymous said...

Great run! Have a relaxing weekend :)

sneakersister said...

Nicely done on the tempo! What happened on the 2nd km? You were flying! You didn't post what your overall avg pace ended up being. It can be hard to pace those things.

Have a great time camping!!!

Denise said...

I'm nervous to get into this kind of training soon. Good job!!

have fun camping.

joyRuN said...

Well those splits sure look pretty to me! Very nice going on your LT :)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

"craptacular run" I will be using your words because that is just too perfect..

Have fun camping..

Julia said...

You did it and thats what counts! Those look like some speedy splits to me!
When I used to live in Tokyo and the humidity was unbearable, the weather was a fave topic of mine also.
I'm glad you didn't jump into that boggy pond!

Chic Runner said...

At least you got it done! That's all that matters. craptacular just makes you stronger. :)

Jess said...

Being pragmatic about runs that just plain suck really helps to put them in perspective, so you're right to just get it done and file it away.

Enjoy camping!

RoadBunner said...

Great job in such miserable weather!! Have a great weekend.

Stephanie Estridge said...

haha yes unfortunately I need one to run that many marathons-- I don't know anybody that wants to sponsor an "ok" runner... lol!

chris mcpeake said...

HA .. i find complaining always makes it easier. Way to hang in there

EndorphinBuzz said...

Those are pretty decent times, good job!

I can totally relate to the bog while running along the canal a few weeks back on that 1 day of summer I wanted to jump in the algae filled water to freshen up. Yuck!!

Anonymous said...

You should totally be proud of your run, girl!!!! That's a FAST pace and you totally stuck it out!!! Way to go!! I feel you on the hot weather...I miss our cool July!!!

Laura said...

This post made me smile because I can relate to those feelings of being hot and tired and trying to suck it up. Great run though! I need to find people to run with. Have fun camping!

J said...

Well at least you were able to get through the run. Hopefully the weather will turn nice with no rain but less humidity!! Have a good weekend camping!

Marky Mark said...

All of these training sessions will be incredibly useful come marathon day! Not just physically, but mentally.

Unknown said...

Wha?!?! Complaining didn't make it any easier?!?! Maybe that's what I'm doing wrong... LOL

And so what's with the weather? Everyone complained about cool summers and when my family arrives in Canada I find it to be sunny and quite a bit warmer than i was hoping for...

Irish Cream said...

Ugh, I hate hot runs like that; but way to suck it up and get 'er done! Plus, I'm pretty sure I read in Runners World that when it's hot out, you can expect a drop in pace of a crazy percentage . . . I bet if you take that into consideration, you actually HIT your goal pace!

Hope you have a fabulous time camping this weekend! :)

N.D. said...

Great job pushing through it!

X-Country2 said...

Ug, welcome summer! Way to get it done.

Road Warrior said...

These runs just make you extra hardcore. Mere mortals would have never made it.

yumke said...

I always hate LTs at first... I just get them over with and take the pain for the duration. You can't beat the feeling once you've finished, though.

Aron said...

LTs are always a little nervewrecking and scary but i love when they are done :) awesome job!

Katie said...

Us Texans like to complain about the weather too ... if we didn't have that, what else would we talk about? :-)

Heather said...

Sounds like a tough run - way to get through it. Hope you had a great time camping!

Being Robinson said...

i've always done intervals and am just now starting tempo/LT runs... they ARE evil. and make me feel like a horrid runner. i usually ahve the can't breathe or feel my legs just want to lay down and sleep feeling during them. so NICE JOB! i'm impressed!!

Nitmos said...

So...this was a Three Little Bears run? This mile was too slow. this mile was too fast. This one was juuust perfect.

Marathon redemption coming soon.

littlesack said...

thanks for all your love and support lately. its nice to know there is a strong group of women behind me in times like this.

amazingly, through out it all, running has kept me sane. the day after we found out i went for a 5 mile run in record time---i didn't mean it---i just needed to get that stress and anger out in some form. pounding the pavement seemed to do it (as well as the throwing up afterwards). anyways, im looking forward to getting back into being a regular reader and cant wait for your next race report

Kelly said...

Haha well Canadians have a lot to complain about as far as weather is concerned haha

Erika said...

Great job pushing it with the heat! Hope you had fun camping!

MCM Mama