Interval train-ing

[Yesletsgo]

Today was NRC's Triple 7s (sorry, I can't write Triple 7's, it's just wrong 😂). It was a little bit warmer today, about 3C, but I realised it was drizzling. Oh well, if I'd made the effort to get out of the door I might as well carry on.

Three seven minute intervals at 5k pace with a 2'30" break between. I'm never quite sure what a 5k pace is, is it my average 5k pace? Is it the pace I do on a 5k at the start or at the end? Plenty to think about. Decided to go for an 'I know I'm working but not too hard' pace which when I checked the statistics afterwards translated to about what I do on a fast-for-me 5k.

We ran towards the level crossing but there was an enormous train standing stationary across it, extending into the distance at both ends. Decided not to cross the tracks but turned left and ran in parallel instead. After a couple of minutes running we could see the engine. This coincided with a recovery break so I took a photo, then the train started slowly moving on. Great timing.

For the final interval we ran through the forest a bit more and eventually ended up just by where we started, perfect. The drizzle was no worse than at the start of the run so I was just a bit more damp and sweaty than normal. Glad I persevered

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Sounds great and I love the photo! I often run parallel to the train tracks and I love trains (no I am not tempted to be a train spotter!). Running in the rain is great too!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

I've seen the wood pellet trains coming back from Drax a few times on my 10km runs. The only level crossing locally is on the track that links preserved heritage line to the national rail network. I missed it being used by about a minute or so. I heard the fuss from a way off but by the time I got sight of it, the train had already disappeared.

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

There's something very evocative about a long train in a big country....

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I also enjoy that NRC run OBK. Well done on doing so well today! Today I did Run. Fast. Repeat. That’s a good one too. NRC make intervals fun. 👏👏

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you, I'm not sure I could be bothered with intervals without a NRC coach encouraging me 😂👍

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Oh I remember that one ! I’m doing the NRC half marathon training plan and that came up in the 3rd week (of total 14 weeks but I’m more like taking 28 weeks over it !!). I share the same thought processes, ‘what’s my 5k speed’ and realise I probably go a little faster on these speed runs because they are meant to be ‘speed’ and I’m pretty slow in real life - and Also makes me laugh when the coach says things in their pep talk like ‘if you’re normally doing a 5 minute 1k don’t worry if today you’re a bit slower…’ etc which indicates that the audience for these podcasts must be pretty fast and fit as I’m ecstatic if I manage 1k under 7 mins 🤣 so it’s all relative I reckon.

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

If I could do a 5 minute 1k I'd probably have time to watch all the little piggies flying past 😂