SC Loves to Run!

Road Runner

August 7, 2007 at 1:16 pm | Posted in Marathon training, running, speed work | 3 Comments

When I was a child, Road Runner was a favorite cartoon for most kids.  Not me, though.  I always felt badly for poor Coyote who was killed at least a million times each episode.  What I did like about this cartoon, however, was Road Runner’s amazing speed.  

So, how does one get fast like our friend Road Runner?  I guess the answer is speed work.  Now, I’m really lazy when it comes to track workouts, hill training, etc.  Usually, my idea of speed training is trying to run the second half of my run faster than the first.  Yes, I do this everytime I run. 

 Take yesterday’s 8.1 mile run, for example.  When I started I told myself that I had to stay slow and steady for the duration of the run, the ENTIRE run.  But, no sir, that’s not what I did.  Oh yes, the first half I was barely breathing hard and my time was 35:01.   Then, on the way back, out of habit and disgust in such a slow pace, I made my legs move faster but not too fast and clocked 32:25.  Of course, I was happy that I’d picked up the pace but I quickly realized that I hadn’t followed the instructions I was given by my coach.

Tonight I am going to meet with my coach and other area runners for my first track workout in 20 years and I’m petrified.  I have a very specific plan to follow:  2 miles warm up, followed by 8 x 400m in 1:50 with a 200m recovery jog in between each, then a 1-2 mile cool down.  Oh, dear God, I hope I can do it!  In the back of my mind I’m going to picture Road Runner’s skinny legs flying around the desert to escape Coyote.  Maybe that image will help me move mine!