Hi TheEd,
Today’s run: 5x2k R90
- rep 7:58, avg hr 163 bpm
- rep 7:36, avg hr 170 bpm
- rep 7:17, avg hr 172 bpm
- rep 7:19, avg hr 172 bpm
- rep 6:54, avg hr 174 bpm
Comments:
I am sceptical about the gps data, it seems too good to be true, but couldn’t find any inconsistencies so far (same watch, same track, clear skies, number of laps seemed to be correct)
I promised myself not to run the first two under 8:15, goal was 8:20. As I realised I was too fast, I started reducing speed, I felt like an idiot, I jogged the last 50 meters.
On the second rep, I was terrified that I have an adrenaline rush, and when it ends I will be done, although I felt very comfortable.
I drank right before starting my third rep, and my stomach didn’t feel right, and that point the confusion was too much, and I simply didn’t look at my watch after that, ran by feel.
I know this should be the hardest workout during the 3 week cycle, but I felt like cruising. I was afraid to go faster,
The conditions were ideal. I ran all of my faster runs (5x8min, 4k time trail) in 30 degrees, direct sunlight, no shades, and without drinking any water. This time it was 19 degrees, it rained the previous days, but dry conditions today, brought water to the track.
I consider myself a midfoot striker, I usually feel my heel touching down, but this time I felt very light on my feet overall, as far as I can tell my heel never touched the ground.
I have no idea what should I think. I just can’t imagine running 5x2k with the above times and feeling comfortable all along. At the same time, speaking of my past experiences, feeling untouchable after having done one cycle of 10k under 40 min, is this what 2 cycles of build up does to you? On one hand, I feel like I missed an opportunity for a challenging workout, on the other, if the numbers are remotely correct (which I doubt), I’m very satisfied with my current form. I guess we’ll see the 6x1k. Would you recommend doing it on the same track, or should pick another spot (I have an asphalt covered road section in mind) to do the 6x1k?
Here are my runs from the last few days
Jun 14
Time: 75min 02sec
Dist: 13.73 km
Avg pace: 5:28/km
Avg hr: 149
Legs felt like pieces of wood, heart rate was higher than usual.
Jun 15
Time: 40min 38sec
Dist: 7.5 km
Avg pace: 5:25/km
Avg hr: 138 bpm
Felt very fresh in the beginning, but it faded completely away after around 10 minutes. Decided to run only 40 minutes, since I was going to have a longer run the next day.
Jun 16
Time: 75min 43sec
Dist: 12.29 km
Avg pace: 5:21/km
Avg hr: 139 bpm
Same as yesterday, fresh in the beginning, heavy legs for the majority of the run.
Jun 17
Time: 32min 14sec
Dist: 6.06 km
Avg pace: 5:19/km
Avg hr: 141 bpm
I was very exited to have a shorter run in weeks, the “bounciness” went away after 15 minutes, and had to slow down to keep the heart rate down.