Thursday, December 10, 2009

Beating Boredom & Impromptu 1600's

I didn't feel up to facing the frigid temps after work tonight (-8C/17F, -16C/3F with the windchill) so I hit the gym treadmill for the first time since last winter.

0.10mi in and I was already bored even with music and people-watching. I knew I had to do something to keep it interesting if I was going to last 5 miles.

3 x 1600 sounded like a good idea. After a 0.5mi warm-up, I cranked up to something close to 5K pace (8.0mph, 7:30/mi) for the first interval. It felt good. 0.5mi recovery jog followed by another mile at 7:30. 0.5mi recovery followed by the final 1600. After the first half I thought I could push a little harder, so I bumped it up to 8.5 (=7:03/mi) for that last 800m.

0.50mi cool-down and done.

Excellent workout and felt much easier than the last time I completed a similar workout.


HBBC Update

Thursday:
run 5.0 mi = 5 pts
F/V = 1 pt


Happy Thursday (almost Friday)!

21 comments:

X-Country2 said...

Way to stick it out. Nice work!

Erika said...

Great job! The only way I can stand the treadmill is to play with the speed.

MCM Mama

Marci said...

Good work on the treadmill run! :)

Unknown said...

Nice job. It's great to finish strong and satisfied!

Anonymous said...

Glad you found a way to make the treadmill workout interesting! It's a challenge to not let boredom take over. Maybe I'll try that the next time I am on the TM.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

nicely done! i can't believe how winter came with barely a warning! I just left the pool at 10p tonight.... f-f-f-f-reeeeeeezing!

chris mcpeake said...

The first few really cool winter training days really suck. Once you get used to them they are fine tho (yeah right ..lol)

Anonymous said...

Ok, first of all, 3* F?! Oooooh, man. I would not be outside either.

But isn't the treadmill perfect for some speed workouts?! You were flying! :) Get it done!

sneakersister said...

Great job, but I think you can go faster. ;)

J said...

yeah I am not going outside anytime this week to run! Its been snowy and windy and COLD!! Great job on the workout! I get bored reallly fast too.

Lindsay said...

ummm this morning the freakin' cold temps kept me from, uh, getting in the car and driving to the gym :) haha. the thought of running outside does not even cross my mind! (it was 18 with a feels like of 11 *F, if that earns me any points) haha

nice job on the treadmill speedwork!

Mark said...

Good workout, Marlene! Making it "play" helps alot, I am thankful for the treadmill on really cold, nasty days.

Anonymous said...

hmmm maybe I could handle this type of treadmill workout. Oh but I seriously loathe that machine.

Laura said...

I'm hitting up the treadmill tonight...I sacrificed one layer of skin to the winter gods last night.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Great job! The treadmill can be sooo boring.

Jenn said...

Nice job!! Those are the only kind of workouts I can tolerate on the treadmill right now! Not much choice here when it's -30 degrees though!

No Longer Using said...

GREAT JOB!!!! the treadmill is good for speed work :)

Felice Devine said...

NICE work! That's what I need to do on the 'mill. Shake it up.

macnic said...

Good work. I find watching really good TV helps with the run. Glad you got some treadmill motivation.

joyRuN said...

Very awesome!

Even 1600s get loooong for me on the mill. I swear I get ADHD as soon as I step on one.

Toni said...

Great job! I love doing speed work on the treadmill, it really helps with the boredom factor.