This morning was my first attempt at a tempo run. One of my goals for 2011 was to work on my speed, because I have none. I am and have always been more kin to the tortoise than the hare.
My plan was to do a 1 mile warm up, 2 miles at 10:30 pace, 1 mile cool down. I set my pace at 10:30 because I knew I was going to be pushing two boys. If I was running with out the boys I would have set it to 9:35 or so. The extra weight of the stroller, two boys and navigating a double stroller makes me just a bit slower.
After taking Thing 1 to school we set off. First mile was good. I really had to keep on top of my pace. (Thanks Coach Garmin!) I have a tendency to start waaaay too fast and then die at the end. I did have to stop a few time to make a adjustments for the boys (i.e. pacifier, fix blankets that were falling out of the stroller, "I'm cold Mommy," etc.)
Mile 2 started off great. I was going up hill and into the wind, but my pace was under 10 minute miles. Then as I prepared to turn a corner I got blasted in the face with dirt and leaves. Thanks to the lawn guys who were blowing leaves in the direction I was running. (Leaf blower 1, Me 0.) I had dirt in my mouth and eyes, so I had to stop. However, I forgot to stop my watch. Oh well.
After about a minute (I checked my Garmin when I got home) I continued on my way, pushing myself and my sail (jogging stroller) up still more hills. I'm sure anyone watching me thought I was going to pass out at any second. I'm sure I looked a mess.
When I got to mile 3 I was glad to be done, I had definitely pushed myself, while pushing the stroller. (At least it wasn't the triple.) I really enjoyed my cool down mile, that I happened to complete in 11 minutes. Considering that is faster than my normal pace I must have felt good, the slight downhill might have helped too. Leave it to me to get the downhill when all the really hard work is over.
My overall pace was 11:05 with a minute of being stopped. Hopefully, next time there will not be any lawn guys wielding leaf blowers to slow me down.
This run just proved to me that I am capable of pushing myself even more. I can push and hold my pace more than I think I can, I just need to be confident in myself. I just have to do it!
Did you know that you can set the Garmin to Auto Stop when you do? Then it restarts when you do. I have the Forerunner 305 though...looks like you have the 405 (saw your race pic)? Not sure if yours does...it'd be worth checking. Of all the different run training, tempos are, by far, my LEAST favorite! I always choose something besides them...hills or intervals are usually my go-to for speed work!
ReplyDeleteLame that the mower guy didn't stop for you (especially since you have the stroller)!!
Thanks Shanna, I completly forgot about auto stop. I used to use it but when I was pregnant and only able to walk, the auto stop would be stopped all the time, especially when I had the boys with me. I also have some intervals and hills in my training plan. The hills will have to wait till the weather is warmer, so the boys can play while I run the hills. I don't want to push them up hills repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteHah! I posted this week about running at a turtle's pace! Love the turtle icon runner on the side!
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