running pride

[idealforcolors]

Today I went running and tried to push myself more than usual. Robert and I ran together twice over the holidays, since neither of us is familiar enough with the other's home town to go alone, and our last run was short so we pushed ourselves to go faster. Apparently this has inspired both of us, because today he took 4 minutes off his usual time

Comments

[rubyawake]

That's awesome! I would definitely recommend finding a speedwork plan. It makes such a huge difference. It brought me from a 10 min/mile to a 9 min/mile average and helped me shave 20 minutes off my half PR and 5 minutes off my 5k PR. If you can maintain an 8:57 pace for a half (I'm in awe), you could do amazing things after a round of speedwork.

[idealforcolors]

Great to hear you've had such good experiences with it! Any particular recommendations?

[rubyawake]

I love the plans in the Train Like a Mother book (applicable if you're not a mom, I promise). I PRd on all distances with their speed plans. The half marathon Own It plan was pretty intense and had four long training runs that were at or above half marathon distance. Everyone reacted like I was crazy when they realized that I was training for a half marathon, but doing a 15 mile training run. However, it made the 13 mile distance seem less daunting than the first half marathon I ran because I did it so many times during training and it made me a much stronger runner.

[sanscontinuity]

you crazy people and your running. must be nice to have good knees :P

[idealforcolors]

haha trust me i am grateful and fearful of what i will ever do if they develop issues....i don't even LIKE much other exercise!