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track intervals

Back On Track

October 13, 2011 by Kristy 10 Comments

10/13/11
6 miles
*3 x 1200 @ 10K pace…a mini speed session.  

I was winded during Tuesday’s tempo run (3 miles at 8:00 pace).  Breathing labored, wishing the run was over, and hating life.  That kind of run.  I kept thinking how the hell am I going to run faster than this next month (at the Philly Half)?  And…how out of shape did I manage to get in 4 short weeks post-marathon?

My 4 weeks after the Lehigh Valley Marathon looked like this:
Week 1 – race a half marathon (bad idea)
Weeks 2 and 3 – take it easy because of bad idea (and by “take it easy” I did run…just 2-3 times a week and nothing over 6 miles)
Week 4 – 34 miles of easy runs

I’m not out of shape.  Seeing it written out in black and white makes it more clear.  You’re supposed to rest after a marathon, lay off the speed work, and just enjoy not training for a bit.

BUT…

It took me sooo long to get my speed to this point, I’m terrified of losing it.  I worked so hard and I want to further build on the foundation that I have now.

So I made it back to the track today to prepare for the Philly Half.  I’m staying away from the crazy speed work I once did (running until my lungs screamed).  For now, 10K pace is adequate and will allow me to improve and maintain, which is all I can really ask for.

AND I’m chalking that tempo run up to a bad run day.  Yep, just like a bad hair day.

Have you ever been afraid of losing fitness, endurance, speed, etc. after a race that you trained months for?  I must admit, I’m a little nutso about it right now.  

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