2 Days 2 Runs

I somehow managed to just delete my post that I was halfway done writing so here we are. This will be quick and a rant.

Yesterday, I had a 3.7-mile run. You would expect this to be easy given that I ran 6.2 last week, however it wasn't. I always try to make this clear to people that just because you can run a further distance, doesn't make shorter distances easy. Mentally, it is easier because you can say "I ran X distance more last week. I know I can do this." However, sometimes it's not easier on your body, especially if the circumstances are different. Coach Bennett always says this and he's obviously 100% right. There are so many things that go into having a successful run - good sleep, food, weather. I tend to underestimate weather. I went out too early yesterday, so it was still really hot. I also think that running on the coast (is that what the West Side Highway would be considered?) would be easier, but it's not. The sun was BEATING down on me. I had to run with my t-shirt in my hand because I was sweating buckets. Additionally, at half-way point I turn around and have the wind hitting me straight in the face. The breeze is nice, but the wind was truly pushing me backwards. Also, I haven't been bringing my water with me which has been a horrible decision. I ended up buying a Powerade as soon as I finished. My pace was good, around like a 10'15, but I didn't feel like I could've run another foot.

Today, I did a speed run on the treadmill. I've been skipping speed runs lately because I've been wanting to get more distance in each week, but I got home from work earlier than anticipated and finished my workout quick so I was bored by 6pm. Given the path I like is about a 15-minute walk from me, I was feeling too lazy to go over there with the heat. So, a speed run was the answer. It was a 5-minute warm-up followed by 1 minute of walking and then straight into 21 minutes of "speed play." You run 1 minute at 5K pace directly followed by 2 minutes at recovery pace. This is a weird type of speed run because typically, you get walking recoveries after intervals. Not this time. For 21 minutes, I went back and forth between these paced. I did my recovery at a 10'42 and 10'32 and my 5K pace at 8'40. The benefit of a treadmill for this type of run is it allows you to maintain the exact paces you want the entire time (if you have the discipline to keep going back to the same pace). In total, I covered about 2.63 miles, which felt like a success. I do love a speed run I just sometimes avoid them because they make me feel so wiped afterward. However, it worked out perfectly because I got to shower up, eat dinner, and lay on the couch following this run.

So far, a successful start to the week of running.