8-minute miles
One thing I've learnt about my stymates - I can count on them to come up with a worse pun! "Maid the connection that there is change", Rob? If there ever were an Oscar for bad puns...
Did 7.5 miles in 60 minutes yesterday morning. I found the pace towards the end a little harder than I would have liked, but considering the fact that I’ve been relying on circuit training with weights at 70% MHR for cardio, I'll take some consolation in maintaining that pace. Followed that up with 4 sets of pressups, 3 sets of park bench dips. I'm pleased that my triceps are aching today, but without an ache in the front delt area – it’s always a sign that I’ve worked the muscle properly, and not through momentum.
Today's HSKT workout:
Everything except the tricep kickbacks, and without the cardiovascular emphasis.
It's been a busy week - the in-laws came to visit, summer school work etc - but next week I have a slightly lighter workload, so I'll have more options to pick running days. That's right, not more time to run, but more flexibility to choose days to run on. 21st Century Mum's comment on a previous post by Runner Susan got me thinking. Do I want to run 50, 60, 70 miles per week and do a marathon? Notwithstanding the fact that my knees would scream "Eject! Eject!" by the 15-mile-per-week mark, at 8 minutes per mile, I would have to put in 400 - 560 minutes, or over 6-9 hours, of running each week. Do I have the time to do that? Maybe. Can I find the time to do that? Of course - just an hour or two less of sleep every day. Do I want to do that? Not really, no. Running isn't the world to me - I like it, but I like other things as well. I try to set aside about two to three hours each week for exercise and see what I can achieve on that, and at the moment that is a sub-2 hour half-marathon, but I'm not going to channel all my time, energy and other non-work-related resources into making a pairs of shoes move along pavement. I'll live my fantasies of running marathons and ultras and triathlons through the blogs of others. It's about priorities, and yours may vary from mine, but I want to do things apart from running too.
That probably explains why I'm still stuck at 8-minute miles, and bonk at 30K, but Pig can live with that. Now pass me the remote. (Hic)
9 Comments:
You sound content Try, seems like a good place to be. Each person needs different things to motivate, you have done a fine job of just involving exercise and running into your life. Kudo's to you.
5:48 PM
You're right! It is priorities. Sounds like yours are in the right place! And hey, for the record, I can only wish to run your 8 minute miles right now...freaking Ironman has made me lose ALL speed! :)
12:22 AM
Sounds like you've found the elusive balance. Enjoy!
4:49 AM
Ditto. I was miserable training for only the half in the winter. I don't have the time to devote to running. I feel that if I do devote all my time to running I will burn out and never do it again.
I would kill for 8 min pace miles though. (and firm triceps too)
11:40 AM
I am glad your content with your choices. Remember it isn't always the quantity of miles but the quality of the miles also. Speed work and hills will do a lot for you also.
Running long miles does take time. whatever you choose to do I am glad your able to be happy with it. Over time you can always add or subtract miles.
Good luck!
7:10 PM
Alright Try, I'll tell you what, I will run a few marathons a year just for you. After all I don't really need all of them for myself. In fact, you can have my last 50 miler. That one is all yours. Sorry I was so slow.
3:42 AM
Go speedracer!
2:46 PM
The miles do eat up time. But at least you are speedy - think of us poor suckers who take 10-11 minutes for each one!!! No wonder I can't get past 20 a week - I value my sleep and the rest of my life far too much :)
5:19 PM
going back and forth from the tele to change the channel counts as exercise.
your priorities are spot on. even if i never see 8 min miles i'll still be running.
3:05 AM
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home