Here's where it gets interesting. Remember when I mentioned getting new shoes on Friday? Well, while I was there, the shoe guy asked if I was training for anything and I mentioned the chips-n-salsa half marathon in September. He casually asked, "Why don't you join my running group? We're training for that race."
My fist instinct was "No!! I don't want to join a running group!!" but as he talked with me about it, it seemd like something I should at least try out. They meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the store for speed work and Saturday early mornings at the Bosque trail for long runs.
This evening, I met up with them for the first time. The workout consisted of jogging over to the high school track, a few warm up laps, then a fartlek run of 3 x 4minutes of tempo running with 2 minutes jogging or walking in between. I opted for walking. He specifically said that tempo running should feel a little easier than 5K race pace, and that he would be asking us to run harder in a few weeks. Aftewards, we did some high knees, butt kicks, and one other drill. Then we jogged back to the store and called it a night.
I left my Garmin on during the jog over and running around the track. The map cracks me up because of all the arrows going around the track.
After analyzing the data, it looks like I did about a 10:25 pace during the warm up laps and a 9:15 pace on the tempo segments. All I can say is that it's a good thing that I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin. That's pretty speedy for me and I actually should have gone a little easier on the tempo segments, but I was one of two runners that quickly fell to the back of the pack. Having said that, I enjoyed the structure of the workout. I plan to join up with them again on Thursday. :)
Good on you for going - that kinda stuff always scares the living bejeebers out of me, and I would never go although I would love to!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave - and getting speedier (is there some kind of antipodean social phobia going on here Kathy?)
ReplyDeleteOh fun! I love group stuff but am all kinds of intimidated by fast folks. Good on you for doing something new (and fast)!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great! I love biking in a group, but running (especially speed and tempo days) are solo for me.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the new found group!
Lisa, have you tried the alternative push ups? It might be easier on you? Not that I should really say anything because Week 2 is kicking my butt and I'm doing the alternative method LOL
ReplyDeleteGroup runs are great when training for the longer distances. Way to go on the speedwork
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the group and good for you on joining them. Maybe it will be an opportunity to learn new training techniques or just have some fun? I say join them when you want, and go solo when you want. It's great to have options.
ReplyDeleteThe arrows around the track are cute!
ReplyDeleteNice job on the speedwork, and you are fast...I feel a half mary PR in the future ;)
I think running with a group will surely help you improve. Do give it a try!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I always loved track workouts and wish we had an organized group now. You develop at your pace and eventually into a pace you will find it hard to believe you've achieved. Sometimes it is good to have someone else figuring out what you should do and go with it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you liked it...group runs still scare me...I have some folks working on me too!
ReplyDeleteYour times are great, you are getting faster!
And if you get chips and salsa at the ed of the race that, in and of itself, is worth training for!
Take Care
I'm glad that you had a good run with the group. You are getting fast!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you went and that you had a great workout with them. How are the new shoes working out?
ReplyDeleteCool.. a new running group should be fun! I love the map :)
ReplyDeleteI love running groups. It's a fantastic way to meet great, new people.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere, someday, somebody's going to some Garmin art - run in the pattern you want to see - like those ancient patterns in Peru you can only see from the sky.
ReplyDeleteI think the group runs will definitely help you. As much as I hate the track I love the way I feel after completing a workout at the track. It feels like an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteNice job on the run!!
ReplyDeleteI've been afraid of joining a club myself...
Way to go! Groups make the runs a lot easier sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI love running groups too! It is how I met my husband!! :) GOOD JOB on getting faster too! WOO HOO! Jen H. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so brave :) I'm a chicken when it comes to trying new things! I hope with hard work I can run like you, I think I'm running double your time right now lol ... but it can only get better from here!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day!
Good for you. I recently joined a group to train for the chicago marathon and it's the best thing that I have done.
ReplyDeleteA running group sounds so right for me about now!! I'm running but floundering in any real training, so i'm looking around for a group! I guess i could start one right??
ReplyDeleteNice job on the speed work! You will definitely get faster being involved with the group. You really need to consider changing you blog title. Unless YOU are the bunny.
ReplyDeletelove doing fartlek running....
ReplyDeletefree form..and hard... but its kinda play running.....
Good for you, when you get use to running in a group atmosphere they tend to move you forward, inches at a time...and when you don't feel like running that day, you'll go anyway because someone in the group will "miss you"! Groups really help with the long runs!!!
ReplyDeleteGood job Lisa !!
Sometimes its nice to run with others especially those that push you a little.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Nice job with your 5k! Cool report. I'm a little behind.