The title of today’s post was supposed to be “The Rule of Specificity”, but my run didn’t go as planned, so I’ll talk about that more tomorrow.
My plan Sunday was to do a bit of speedwork. Since I’m about three weeks out from a 5K, the plan was two one mile repeats at 5k pace. I expected this to be a hard workout, but figured I’d have no trouble hitting at least an 8:15 pace. As you have probably figured out, I was wrong.
I warmed up with a slow mile and then started to pick up the pace. Normally, I run too fast at the beginning of a speed workout and have to pull myself back a bit. Yesterday I could not get below 8:33. I felt like I was sprinting and I was pretty sure my heart was going to explode and I still could not get where I was trying to be. What the heck? A half mile into my first mile of speedwork I decided it just wasn’t happening. I had two options – run the mile repeats, but at a slower speed or do a slow run and try speedwork again in a couple of days. Based on my RPE and my heart rate, I opted to run the next 2.5 miles slow. Judging by the fact that I had trouble maintaining a 10:30 pace for the rest of the run, I made a good choice.
Something was “off” in my body yesterday. I have some ideas what and none of them are major, but my body was definitely giving me a hint. No, it wasn’t giving me a hint, it was hitting me over the head with a brick. I probably could have done some sort of speed work, but I likely would have hurt myself or at least needed so much recovery that I’d have messed up the rest of my week. So, I took it easy and I’ll try again later this week.
On a more amusing note, Saturday I got my run in by running home from Jones’ soccer game. I’ve done it before and it’s about 4.25 miles from my house. Well, this time, I made a wrong turn and ended up wandering around a neighborhood. I knew where I was and generally how to get home, but it was right at the beginning of my run and in the hilliest part of our county. Sigh. I was afraid I’d end up having to call Beer Geek to pick me up after I wandered the neighborhood for 4 miles LOL. Luckily I made the right choices when I was guessing and ended up only adding .75 to my planned run.
Hope your running adventures this past weekend were more successful than mine!
Great job getting on the track. Track workouts are hard enough, even when you're having a good day. Hopefully next time will feel easier 🙂
Ahhhhh…those times when the "mind makes a promise that the body can't fill". Good time to listen to the body!
GOOD job on listening to your body.LOL on the wandering run, I had one of those last week… and seriously thought the same thing about needing a pickup.
Listen to your body must be one of the most difficult listens out there. Good for you!
Listening to the body is key! Nice job with extending the run saturday! 🙂
this week has been weird for me too. My ankle hurts and not sure why. Resting is a bitch but necessary. Le Sigh.
Getting lost is a great way to lengthen your run! Good job listening to your body and good luck with speedwork take 2 this week!
I love getting lost! That's how I started this little running thing of mine. . . . I just went 8 miles . . holy crap . . .I'm going to do this again tomorrow! ;)YAY for listening to that body of yours!!
Good work with tuning in to your body's signals. And for navigating your way home after the wrong turn!
Sounds like you made the right choice! Hope you are feeling better for next time.
Glad you listened to your body – you will make that speedwork back in the week!Did you see they're going to have a show on Discovery channel called, "Brewmasters?" Thought of you and Jamoosh!Have a good week!
Good work listening to your body. Take it from me – you ignore the warning signs at your own peril and a lighter day here and there is not going to make too much of a diference.
We all have those days; sounds like you made the right decision.