Notes
OMG this was rough. My lungs were not happy with this at all. I managed to get 8 miles of the workout in, but it was ugly and involved a lot of stops and starts and hacks and wheezing. I really struggled on the paces a lot. I just could not lock in one way or the other. I struggled more on the slower 2 minute portion. My watch would beep to start the 2 minutes, and after 30 seconds I'd either be way too fast and then I'd try to slow down the rest of it -- or more often, I'd think I had slowed down only to 9:25-30 and instead I'd be at a 10:00-10:30 -- so then i'd run faster for the rest of the interval and then end up too fast overall. In general, those "slower" 2 minute portions did not really feel easier at all. I think this type of workout is better suited to someone like Rob, who is able to lock in on paces. I lack that skill and struggled. (and I dont think it would have gone any better if i hadnt had this stupid cold/bronchitis either).
I had to stop at 15 .... my legs and even arms just felt like dead noodles, like they were lacking oxygen from so much hacking and depletion in my lungs. I feel kinda lucky I made it that far. I told Rob i feel like 15 with beat-up lungs should count for 20 :)
BTW -- I ran this from home. No one was going to be at the Northstar Run that would be able to do this with me, so I'd be driving all the way down there to run by myself anyways. And I just couldnt face another long run on River Road. I know I run my neighborhood even more, but i have so many more options of where to go. Just felt better to run from home.