The Need For Speed

I'm suffering from a cold. It sucks. Big time. My allergies are already super lame here -- who knew that Washington was the capitol of pollen? Even with all the rain to clear the air. But, after discussing with many folks, I've been re-educated. Snot is a way of life here for people like me. Blissfully non-allergenic air, like the sunshine, is just another thing about the bay area I didn't appropriately appreciate until now (and I'll never take for granted again).

Anyways, I've been suffering from a full-blown viral snot-reproduction party in my nasal cavities for the last several days. Lame.

Only up-side? Running clears my sinuses. I already had a pretty good incentive and motivation to run, but now, I've got to rein myself in from running more than what's on the training plan because I know that when I run, I can breathe.

Today, I did outdoor speed training at our local park. I haven't done outdoor speed training in a very long time. I'd forgotten how variable my top speed is while doing speed outdoors. The treadmill is so reliable on that issue -- it just does the speed you tell it to do, and voila´ you are training appropriately. Outdoors, there's wind, dogs, people, turns, and, of course, your own motivation.

Needless to say, while I felt more sore than a treadmill workout, the new Garmin that E bought for me was brutal and painfully accurate in its honesty. Today's outdoor workout was not anywhere near as fast as it would have been on a treadmill. And yet, I can't help but think it's better for me, nonetheless. I feel like I had a better workout than if I was on the treadmill. At the end of the day, I'll take that metric over the fancy wireless data feed anyday.

The goal was 6X0.25miles at 7:30 pace. Yes, I know many people would not consider this speed training.

Good for them.

Today, I averaged 7:45 or so across intervals at as quick of pace as 7:33 and 7:35 and as slow as 8:07. Clearly, consistency is not my strongsuit.

But, despite my sickness, I went out for the speed workout. And despite the variability and slower than hoped for times, it went well.

Overall, I'm happy to be moving, slowly, haltingly, perhaps incorrectly, but at all times with much momentum towards may Marathon in May.

Here's to increased speed and hopes for healthy fitness on the weekend of the race!