The morning started off not as strongly as I had hoped. With the time change, it looked like a good chance for me to get back into the training. I woke up fine but got "side tracked" and next thing I know its 7:30am. That's when swimming starts. I still feel week but figure why not just get in the water for an hour. I arrive at the pool and enter the water at 8. Swimming feels like crap. I don't really properly warm up and I can still feel the weakness from my cold. I really have nothing to give in the water. But instead of being down about it, I looked at it instead that at least I am in the water doing something. I do a 500 warm up and then about 6 X 200s with the people in the next lane (I don't feel like really being a part of the team workout this morning). I pulled one of the 200s and swam it in 2:10. Some say that isn't too bad, but for me its not that impressive for how much it hurt. With a few weeks of solid swimming my time would be closer to 2:02. But once again, I'm in the water and that's all that counts. We finish off with a fun relay swim with for me was 2 X50s sprint. Eh.
So tonight I matched my farthest run. 4 miles. Ya I know that it's not that far, but hey for me it is! I have only ran 4 miles on one other occasion, and that was the CSULB backwards triathlon 18 months ago. With me getting over the cold, I kept an open perspective on my performance. Since Drew and I ran together, it was much easier to control the dogs. One per person. I always have Max and he's turning into more of a lookyloo dog and I have to keep him in check. Mile 1 put us at 10:20 with a slight delay as Drew had to tie his shoes. I know this measurement is off, so instead I figure I will see what our time is at the 1/2 way mark and then compare it to the run on the way back. At mile 2 we clocked in at 21:22. This confirms that the first mile is a tad short, but also that the 2 mile mark total is probably accurate. That puts us at 10:20, then 11:02. Wrong, but lets just look at it at 21:22 (averaging 10:41). As we began our run back, I notice Drew picking it up. This is where I have to choose to either continue running at my own pace or pick it up with him. I decide to just increase a tad and see what happens. At this time he's pushing it more so I let him go. I am inexperienced at running so I'm humble enough to know I'm not going to be the best at this. I tell myself my goal here is to just keep on training, go with what feels good and finish every mile I set out to run. Drew keeps this pace for about a 1/4 mile. He didn't get too far ahead of me, but I'd say he began to average closer to 9 minute mile pace. After a 1/4 mile I gradually catch up to him. He tells me he just wanted to push it for a little bit because the pace felt a little slow for him. I told him that in the future to feel free to run away if he needs to. So we hit mile 3 at 31:50. This of course is off since the markers aren't accurate but due to experience lets me know that we are going at a much stronger pace and are going to have a good back half. I see the finish of mile 4 approaching and check the clock. I think to myself, "If I pick it up just a tad, I can finish my back 1/2 in under 20 minutes", therefore averaging under 10 min miles. Instead I choose to keep my pace. We hit our finish at 41:28. Not too shabby though. First 2 miles : 21:22. Second 2 miles : 20:08. I'm sure about 10 to 15 seconds of that negative splitting was the effect due to Drew's 1/4 mile increase in speed. Either way, my goal for each run, no matter of distance, will be to negative split. Even on marathon day, the goal will be to have a better back half. Is that possible? We will see!
Side note : Sunday, January 8th is our scheduled 13 mile run. Drew found the O.C. Marathon on that exact date and they offer a 1/2 marathon as well. Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect! Its $55. We already missed the cheaper price, so we can wait until last minute to register. But for the LA Marathon, early registration is only $75 but will only be available until November 1st. Hold and I will do it RIGHT NOW!.... I have finished. I am locked in. YEA! GO ME!
Closing statement: No turning back now! :-) Everything is going well now. Hopefully I will now begin to see my body transform and become healthier and more appealing (ya I know can it really get anymore appealing) :-)
Weight - 184
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2 comments:
"Side tracked" is a euphemism, right? I think it means "I stopped at Burger King for French Toastix" or "Britney was on the radio so I had to dance around the house" or maybe it means "I rebalanced my 401(k) investments." In any event, all are very good reasons to be late to the pool.
Good double, yah to get back into it.
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