Speed and Indulgence

This morning we did a track workout - 10 minute (or so) warm up, 6 x 400 with a 1 minute rest between, 10 minute (or so) cool down. Just under 4 miles. I ran the 6 x 400 between 1:50-2:05 per... That's around 8 minute mile pace. I'm all geeked up on my running watch, but I haven't really figured out how to use it to determine my overall pace when we do track work outs. I was around 8 min miles on the 400's, around 9:40 miles when we were warming up and cooling down.

This season is the first time I've done any type of intentional speed work and I am surprised by how much I like it. I have seen real progress in my times since we began 18 weeks ago and I know that is attributable to the track work, tempo runs and fartlek runs we've done. My 'comfortable, conversational' running pace is around a 9:40-9:50 pace. Last year it was between 10:30-11:00 pace. I am seeing for the first time the benefits of doing more to train than simply covering the necessary distance. When triathlon training begins in earnest the week after next I am going to try to apply these same principles to swim and bike workouts.

Seeing progress is so gratifying even if, by most people's standards, I am still pretty slow. I like feeling my fitness level improve and I really like the feeling of pushing myself harder than I thought I could go. The speed work, the hill work, breaks up what can be monotonous training. I would have never thought it would be possible that I would be able to get faster as I get older, but I actually am.

We have also decided to indulge ourselves, at least for the summer, in a second gym membership. We live in one city 30 minutes away from the city where we both work. John and I both value our workout time and squeezing it in can be a challenge. I signed us up for a family membership at the YMCA - it is reasonably priced, the kids can take swimming lessons and they have a location minutes from both our offices. As a bonus, their lap pool has more expansive, more flexible hours than the college pool in town we currently use.

So far I've used the Y twice over my lunch hour. Yesterday I lifted weights and today I went to Pilates. I have really let those 'bonus' workouts fall to the wayside as I've focused on getting in as many running miles (and swim/bike cross training sessions) as possible. It has been very nice to have the opportunity to do these extra things without battling the logistics of our schedules. I know it is indulgent (I've kept my gym membership at home too) but what better investment than improving my health? I am hopeful this will allow us to squeeze in some extra workouts around the margins of our work days. If it doesn't, we will re-evaluate around Labor Day.