There's one run each week that causes me to shake in my Ravennas. One run that causes me to toss and turn. One that makes me feel unsettled and resistant.
The pace run.
The run is the only semblance of speed work in Hal Higdon's Intermediate I marathon plan, and it is one of the longer runs of the week. As my Dream Big marathon goal is to go sub-4:00, my pace runs should come in at a 9:09 pace. It's a pace that isn't that difficult for me, right now, unless, say, I'm woken up at 2:30 a.m. to retrieve the "other paci" and spend the subsequent half-hour listening to the Laugh 'n' Learn Puppy tell me about his red heart.
But anyway.
Even though a 9:09 pace is manageable, the idea of having to do it freaks me the eff out as does having to hold it over my mid-week long distance. At 5 a.m. And before I teach Bodypump. I worry about burning out, not being able to hit targets. I worry about how hard it will feel. This week, the anxiety was especially high as the mileage went up to 7 miles, and 7 miles seems significantly longer than 6 miles. I think it's because it's an odd number and required a great deal of mapping to find a safe route.
Crap. I forgot how this post was going to go. I had it all mapped out in my head ... yesterday. Now, post-run and coffee, I feel garbled. Something's not right.
Also not right? My overthinking the pace runs. Want to know why? I have yet to come in at 9:09 - and not because I'm too slow. Even with warm-up and cool-down miles, my average pace is 8:55 or better. For Saturday's 7-miler - the long one - my pace was 8:44, and I negative split the pace miles ending with an 8:31.
I'm fairly certain I won't be running an 8:31 mile at any point Nov. 9, which probably means I should reign in these pace runs. And my ridiculous worrying.
The week, in training:
Monday: Spin class
Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Bodypump (taught)
Wednesday: 7.3 miles, hillish + 4 miles
Thursday: 4.1 miles + Rip (taught)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 7.25 miles, pace + Bodypump (taught)
Sunday: 14 miles
I remember feeling exactly that way last year when i was training so hard. But like you, I always managed them better than I was afraid I would. They are such confidence builders!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about running them a little fast. Just DON'T run a little fast on race day. And you'll be golden :)
I agree with Bobbi.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we have the Laugh n' Learn puppy and ohmygosh I want to punch it. It's "I love you song" is Dave's nightmare.
Ugh, this is why I avoid pace runs because even though I can hit them, they stress me the eff out until I do them!
ReplyDeleteAgreed with Bobbi - don't run that fast on race day. LOL.
you very well may go 8:55 or faster on Nov 9! I remember having the same thoughts about 9:09 pace while training for Philly. I think you're doing great so far - just keep plowing through and the hard work will pay off. (Also, you're rocking it big time with a toddler --when I trained for my goal of sub four, I was childless.. so.much.easier. you go!
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