So, I set Mr Garmin up for 3 reps of 10 minutes with a 1 minute walk interval, a couple of minutes over the normal excursion time, but it's a big day for me - so why not.
I left the house at 6:51am. Temperature a nice 12.6C, 54.7F. Beautiful clear blue sky. Birds singing, well, squawking. We have a "gulp" of magpies (honest - it's a collective noun) who have taken up residence next to the local murder of crows and they have been having rowdy conversations with each other at 5am for the past few mornings. Buggers.
After 400 yards, I encounter roadkill. This is unusual, as most wildlife keeps off the tarmac round here, except the squirrels who are simply bonkers. Today, a small bird and a hedgehog had met their ends not 10 yards apart. I considered moving them for at least a millisecond, but the impetus of the need to keep going, mixed with the yuck factor kept me sailing on by.
The rest of the run was pretty uneventful. I did feel the 1 minute breaks were necessary again, but there were only two of them (I don't count the one at the end) . I extended the circuit slightly, going the long way around one of the roads and still managed to get back home with 3 minutes still to go. So I ran on past for a minute and a half, turned round and ran back, ending just outside my driveway.
Then I checked Mr Garmin.
All 3 segments were under a 10 minute pace, so I'd run 3 whole (individual) miles.
So I feel much better about that large Indian Balti Curry I ate last night.
On other matters.Something which made me smile. Mob Football, especially the description of Shrovetide football, if you follow the link.
Something which made me pretty mad: YelloWiki under attack from Yell.com. Big companies being nasty to little people. Grrrrrrr.
Mr Stumble.
5 comments:
Well look at that you Mr. Runner! I just can't call you Mr. Stumble any longer. And your pace is anything but pedestrian. Although your environment is wonderful (complete with double road kill), I wouldn't advise that you to start running any faster on your easy runs at this point in your career. In fact, I'm going to recommend that you SLOW DOWN. 9:14/mi is really smoking for an easy pace and will only limit the time you’re able to run without stopping. Getting stronger as a runner is all about being able to stay on your feet longer and longer with your heart rate running between 70 and 80%. You start with a little bit of time and add a little bit each week (sort of like you’ve been doing) and pretty soon, you’re able to stay on your feet for an hour or more. A 9:30 mile is my long run pace. Now I’ll admit that I’m just an average middle of the pack runner, but I’d posit that the reason you need the 1 minute breaks between your 10 minutes is that you are going too fast. Your cardio-vascular system is telling you to take a break. It shouldn’t be telling you it needs a rest after 10 minutes. The purpose of the walk / run cycles is to get your muscles adjusted to the work and your skeleton accustom to the pounding.
So Mr. Runner, when are you going to take the training wheels off and not stop? Take it slow and easy and keep moving. If you feel like your head is boiling over, stop and walk. You’ve got plenty of time to get your speed up.
Interesting article on Mob Football. Seems a lot like Rubgy without all the messy rules. Also, I can see the reason for your ire resulting from the story of Yellowikis. Your average bloke probably can’t tell the difference between the words YELL and YELLOwikis. Especially when everything about the branding on Yellowikis uses YELLOW (and not Yell) as a theme.
Phil,
Thanks for the comment. I think Steve has dibs on the Mr Runner name so I'll just keep stumbling.
This particular run had some significance attached to it because of the "whole mile" nature and so I probably did push a bit more than usual. I think the main reason why I need the breaks is because from the lowest part of my run (minute 5) to the highest part (minute 17) I'm climbing 40 meters over two main sections. When I get to the top, it's burning! I can feel the improvement - certainly when comparing to running 3 minute section and my next mini goal is to make a 17 minute first section, which is all the "up" without stopping.
I think you are right about the pace. My flat right foot (the left is also flat) has been complaining today. It feels bruised at the inside back of my excuse for an arch, but it's probably just muscular.
I might actually have my first running event on Saturday. We have something here in the UK called the Sport Relief Mile - a kind of sponsored charity fun run with hundreds taking place all over the UK. http://www.sportrelief.com/ There's one at my Son's school Summer fayre, so I'll be there.
But now I can say "ah - it's just a mile - easy!".
Andy
way to go!
Best of luck on your first race. You will never forget it. Make sure someone is along to take pictures. Ann, I and all your other friends want to see the results of your hard work.
Phil
Thanks again. I'll try to get one of the kids to take some photos. Just seen the weather forcast and it's going to be Sunny, 25C, 77F. Nice and cool if your from Arizona!
Andy
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