Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Intervals! ... and logistics of lunch running

Today I set out for another round of Tuesday Lunch Intervals.

We woke up to a pretty hefty snowfall this morning and it has been a mild day (-1C/30F) so this resulted in sloppy, slushy sidewalks. Some sections were relatively clear, but I was soaked to the ankles before starting my first 1600. Good times....

Target: 3 x 1600 at [goal] 10K pace = 7:38 (4:45/KM)

(1000m warm-up jog)
1600m @ 7:22 (4:35/KM) - this feels pretty decent, but oops too fast!
(400m recovery)
1600m @ 7:22 (4:35/KM) - can I hold on to this pace?? 1600 is sooo looong!
(400m recovery)
1600m @ 7:10 (4:27/KM) - HOW! MUCH! FARTHER!?
(1500m jog back to the office)

Pretty sure I may have yelled "HELL YEAH!" as I hit the lap button after that last 1600. Maybe.

***

Many of you have commented on my previous lunch runs, asking how I make it work and often mentioning how nice it would be to have a shower at work.

Well guess what? I don't have access to a shower! Aren't you glad you don't share an office with me?

I always pack my bag the night before so I'm less likely to miss something. I will never forget that time I neglected to pack a sports bra and socks, but I ran anyway.

In addition to the running essentials, here's what I pack in order to freshen up as much as possible post-run.

towel



baby wipes



body spray



deoderant



translucent powder



It's not ideal, but at least I'm presentable for the remainder of the afternoon. I try not to leave for more than an hour, so I have just enough time to change, run ~8K, freshen up and change again. (I eat my lunch at my desk when I get back.)

And there you have it! When's your next lunch workout?

58 comments:

Paige (The Last Doughnut) said...

I'm a teacher, so I don't have the option of running at lunch. That would be awesome!

One thing is for sure though; I would not be presentable! I sweat SO much when I run...even if it's cold outside!

Unknown said...

I am so lucky to have access to a shower at work. Honestly, I need to take advantage of it more often. Where do you go to do your repeats? A nearby track?

Jen Feeny said...

I could never get away with that here during the summer but that is exactly what I did the other day when I did my lunch run! Baby wipes are you're best friend, I learned that during Ragnar Relay! Shower in a tupperware. :)

J said...

I definitely sweat too much in my hair to be able to look decent for the afternoon. Since I am the only girl in my group I think they would notice if I looked funny! Great job on those intervals! You are so fast Marlene!!

Gotta Run..... said...

my problem has always been more about the hair. My stupid hat head does not go this my work attire.

GOOD FOR YOU for licking it out at lunch!

No Longer Using said...

lol!!!! your secret is out!!!!

i could never do that. i sweat buckets. so even if i change clothes, my hair is pretty gross. i mean i guess i could put it in a clip or something... but i would just shower prob at the gym next door. i just don't have enough time at lunch.

GREAT JOB on your miles!!!!!!!! can i get a HELL YEAH!!!!!!!! hell YEAHHHH :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the tips! There's a shower at my office, but it's a bit grungy so I don't really want to have to use it. I'll definitely try out your tips when it gets a little nicer here. Things may become more difficult in the summer, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

1600m @ 7:10?! Holy crap, lady! :)

Jen said...

You need to post after workout pic and then after "freshening up" pics. Show us how it is done, girl!

Heather said...

Nice speedy intervals! I need to try a lunch workout.

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Awesome intervals! You rock! I love lunch time workouts (not that I have a real job, I just like to run around lunch time).

TNTcoach Ken said...

Holy $hit Woman, you are flying!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Great pace!!! That's so awesome!

Jill said...

Hey, if it works for you than all the power to ya!! I don't have a lunch built into my day so I can't run then but in the summer when I am off work, I can run whenever I want :). Nice mile repeats!!!!

Jocelyn said...

Youre awesome. My office has a shower but there are enough pervs here I would take a shower during lunch. And no shower after a run doesn't work that well for me. My hair gets drenched when I run! I would need a lot more supplies!

Being Robinson said...

ummm i shouldn't admit this, but i DO have access to a shower and am just to lazy or in too much of a hurry to use it. that body spray is a brilliant idea btw. so getting that. and KILLER run!! that's awesome.

Unknown said...

I did the exact same workout on Monday - but not as fast!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I haven't been able to run on a lunch break for over 10 years. (yeah I've been running a loooong time! 20+ years)

I can remember the no shower days. Unfortunately for my former co-workers. I'm sweater and I am not talking angora

Felice Devine said...

You rocked those intervals! Way to go!

X-Country2 said...

I've always thought about the baby wipes, but never pulled the trigger. Happy to hear they work so well.

Allie said...

Wow, way to go!!!

Anonymous said...

You must have been reading my mind with this post... I was just thinking I should make tomorrow my run during lunch day (since I have to miss my Will Run For Wine Group tomorrow). And the lovely suggestions of baby wipes is a great idea! I will let you know how it goes!!

Teamarcia said...

Holy speedy Gonzalez Batman! Nice work!

Runner Leana said...

Awesome job on your repeats! Great tips on how to freshen up after a lunch run. I agree that it isn't ideal, but if I don't have a big meeting in the afternoon then I don't really worry about how I look afterwards! At this time of the year if I didn't run over lunch I probably would never see the sun shine!

AM! said...

Saw your 'FIRST' comment from tall mom blog and it made me chuckle, so had to come over and say hi.
and love your post workout line up of what you do. I've heard baby wipes and the dove spray work well, and it's way less expensive then some of the Cr## that's on the market for the same purpose.
nice;-)

KK @ Running Through Life said...

Great job at the intervals and go you for fitting in lunch runs, especially when you don't have a shower! I am very impressed! So far, I either run in the morning pre work or after work!

Nicole said...

I love your shower get up! :) Great idea! I run/exercise at lunch a lot! I work in a pool too so it helps-- and i dont have to lather up all smelling great. A quick shower and hopping in the pool is just the ticket! Great workout- you nailed it!

Anonymous said...

hahah. thnx for sharing. I always wonder about that!
and i use the same body spray. i love it!

Unknown said...

I think I need to try that body spray, thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

great job on the intervals!

ajh said...

I keep an extra sports bra in the gym bag now having forgotten one more than once!

Anonymous said...

I've forgotten socks before and ran anyways. You are brave for going sans bra! I ran at the end of a work day but not during lunch yet. Maybe I'll give it a try using your tips before the desert heats up this spring!

MCM Mama said...

Wow! Look at you all speedy! Quite impressive!

Kerrie said...

Haha! I always get asked about lunch runs, too, and am planning a post about it! Our little routines are quite similar. I hadn't though of the baby wipes, though, and I have PLENTY of those around. :)

Amy said...

Wow! I definitely need a shower after a run, but I'm lucky enough to work from home on a fairly flexible schedule. Fitting in a run and a shower aren't usually a problem. I don't know if I could do it from a real office! Good for you!

Anonymous said...

if I had access to some decent roads over lunch, I would totally do this! I usually jet out for the lunch hour to get out of the office anyway ( Trader Joes, Barnes&Noble/Starbucks, Target...heh, the list goes on) just to get a break - but have yet to come across any "safe" running routes. Hmm....

I definitely admire your dedication to that run!! Fresh, slushy snow?? Oof. ;)

joyRuN said...

Way to blow that last repeat out of the water!! Nicely done.

There's a treadmill around the corner from my unit in the hospital - I should try getting some intervals in.

Mark said...

Yes!! Finished strong!! Keep those lunch intervals coming!!

EndorphinBuzz said...

I am lucky to have a shower! I usually make my work days longer to "make up" the time spent running but workdays already have been longer this week so I had to ditch the runs. I booked myself an appointment in my calendar for tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to get out there :)

ShirleyPerly said...

Very nice job on the intervals. Looks like your 10K goal pace is actually closer to mine!

Laura said...

I really want to do the lunch thing..I need to see if I use a hairdryer if I will short circuit the office. (knowing me this would so happen) The other option is a baseball hat which won't fly with my office attire.
Sweet job on the intervals. I held between 5:15-5:20/km yesterday and was stoked. You are amazing.

Denise said...

GREAT job with the speed work!! Fast paces!

Love your "mock" shower routine.

Marky Mark said...

That is seriously resourceful! Looking forward to see how you get things done during the snow that we might be getting over the next few days.

Anonymous said...

You are my hero, girl!

Pining for Pinterest said...

I am so envious of you! I would love to run at lunch, but I am a teacher so we are not allowed :(

Unknown said...

I so wish I could do lunch runs, but we don't really get any kind of break during the day for lunch. Great job on your slushy run!

sneakersister said...

Marlene, AWESOME job on those intervals!!

Jamie said...

Awesome job on those intervals!

Anonymous said...

Great post and awesome job on the intervals! I'm in college..soon to have a desk job and I always wondered how people worked out during lunch. Even if you have a shower, do you go back to work with a wet head? I don't think I'd be able to do it!

Jess said...

Great work with your intervals! You kick ass!

Janice {Run Far} said...

I don't know how all you working ladies run through lunch break. I have to get it done in the AM or it just doesn't get done. way to go girly.

Lindsay said...

way to go! those were some rockin' intervals, and i know it's tough to squeeze in a workout over lunch. when i was back in the office i'd run over lunch in the winter. i still got a little sweaty AND we had showers... but i chose to run a little longer than get back in time for a shower ;) hehe. so i agree with all your tips! towel off, and try to mask the smell as much as possible. i figure it's the winter and i don't sweat as much so it can't be that bad?

Anonymous said...

When people say anything to me about workingout at lunch and not shower--I just say "I do it to keep people out of my office all afternoon" hahaha.
I also found this stuff to help with acne that is a spray I can't remember what brand but I got it at Rite-aid or CVS.

Unknown said...

Your dedication is inspiring! Making it happen. Love it!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

prashant said...

I've always thought about the baby wipes, but never pulled the trigger. Happy to hear they work so well.

Work From Home

H Love said...

love love the no shower tips! nice job and I would share an office with you!

Paula said...

#1. Lightning girl! Wow.
#2. You get those times while running on your own? Double wow.
#3. When do you actually eat lunch if you are running during your lunch.

Laura said...

That is a REALLY good idea! I've only thought of running before/after work, but running during lunch would be really smart since I usually bring lunch and everyone else goes out to pick up lunch anyway. I like the kit ideas :)

Claudia said...

I really Like the idea of running at lunch time, it would free up my evenings for the kids and also running at noon in a busy city feels so much safer then running at night.
This is a really great idea!!
thanks