Notes
It was still just a little too sketchy outside to risk running a really quality long run on the roads so I went to the Heartland Soles treadmill again. the run was 8 miles easy then 8x alternating between 5:00's and 5:30's, about 11.8 mph and 10.8 mph respectively. The initial 8 weren't too bad but I didn't have much pop in my stride so I was trying to work up a mental reserve to dig into for the alt. miles. I stopped briefly after 8 miles to prop the back door open to get a source of cold air (the store's thermostat is set to 71) and then let the belt accelerate up to the on pace before hopping back on. I was shocked by the pace and had to focus on not going off of the back. After the first rep I did notice that 5:30's were relatively more controlled but as the workout went on the recovery was slightly less and less. When the pace would change I would hit 12 mph, get into the rhythm, then set into 11.8 mph; same with the steady recovery, 11 mph, then back off. I was struggling early in this one. I was fighting to keep good positioning on the belt and was working hard on the on's. By the 3rd set, I was already doubting if I would be able to go the distance. I was teetering on the edge following the 4th rep. I was bartering with myself to cut it short, the pace felt too fast after all, but then around the middle of the steady piece, I could rally and convince myself I could keep going. I almost took a rest after the 6th, but I fought off the negative thinking and carried on, I was just going to do 7 after all. As I was clipping off yet another 5:32 mile following the 7th, I knew I could dig just a little deeper and get that final rep as bad as it might hurt. Closed it up without slowing and stepped off the tread for just a minute to gather me before doing on a more moderate mile as a trade-off for a cool down. I am very happy I saw this one all the way through. I was uncomfortable but was able to embrace the suffering and not give myself an out that would have disrupted the otherwise great work I was putting in. I had to take it one rep at a time in the midst of a very long workout on a treadmill, but again, I am pretty happy with what I was able to do today. (5:06/5:33) (5:02/5:30) (5:01/5:33) (5:00/5:32) (5:03/5:31) (5:02/5:31) (5:02/5:32) (5:01)