Track Workout and Monthly Totals

~TRACK WORKOUT ~

Tuesday is track day. I never look forward to track day, but I always show up. Today we were scheduled for 1 mi warm up followed by 3x [1000M @ 10K pace with 600M walk/jog]

I did my first 1000 in something faster than 10K pace, not necessarily intentionally, and then my pace and energy level really faded off somewhere between 600 & 800. That's not at all what was prescribed. Drat.

Coach walked over and told me he wanted me to run 600 for the next one instead of the 1000. He instructed me to push it beyond my comfort zone, but hold a steady pace throughout. And, he added "you're going to surprise yourself"

At first I felt like I was getting a remedial workout - I had failed at the 1000s so now I was getting shorter intervals. But then I reminded myself that he's there to help each of us do the best we can. He probably had something specific in mind.

So 600s is what I did.

And boy was he was right, I did surprise myself. I found myself holding onto the pace that the rest of the group was doing for their 1000s rather than my usual going out to hard and then falling off to the back. Amazingly, I felt strong throughout. I was pushing it, but not to the point of failure.

Looking at the numbers, my 600s came in at 3:02 and 3:07. I think that's something along the lines of 8:10-8:20min/mi. Shazam!

Coach was very pleased with how this worked out. For the next month or so, he wants me to focus on shorter intervals at the track with a faster pace vs longer intervals with a slower pace, continue with the hills, and long slow runs on the weekends.

~MONTHLY TOTALS ~

numbers
- ran 36.8 miles
- cycled 70.3 miles
- swam 4450 yds
- did strength at the gym 12 times (clearly, I'm still lovin' the gym)
- events: one half century ride, one splash & dash

thoughts
- I had fun with both events and had a more 'balanced' training month.
- My training volume isn't all that high, but I'm focussed on short stuff at the moment and trying to stay injury free, so I think I'm right where I need to be.

plans for July
- keep on keepin' on. :-)