Its all in the head

Well tonight I attended an interval training session at my local running track. Seven of us attended, we were set a task of 8 sets of 400 meters, with a 5 minute break between each 400 meter run. For me, each run was slightly slower than the other and by run seven I felt whacked. For run 8, Brian the tutor set us a different task, the person with the slowest time set off first and so on. I ran at a pace of 6m 15 seconds per mile if you calculated it out, a pace I could not maintain over 5k and probably never will, but the surprising thing, because we were all chasing each other down to close the gaps, without realising it all but one of us set out fastest 400 meter time! Despite me feeling like a spent force. Hpw strange is that, if you follow me?

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I have always liked the idea of "handicap" runs - they really do bring out the best in everybody - the faster ones at the back trying to overtake everybody - the slower ones at the front trying not to be overtaken -- fun for all concerned!!

There is a maximum pace for every distance- the mile, 5K, 10K, HM, FM etc -- what you can run a mile in , you certainly can't run a marathon in!!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Were you wearing your new shoes btw...?!

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

LOL Yes I was, I'm the tail runner this Saturday, so I'll put more mileage on them.

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

There you go then - it's either in the head... or the shoes!😉

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

It sounds great fun! You're right though, it is so much in your head. I can never get close to my parkrun time without someone to chase (though I would swear that when I am running on my own, I am working harder!). Hills I can run up fine normally become too steep to run up as soon as someone else has started to walk them...

It's a funny old game.

[baronblaze]

That pace is superb whether it is the first interval or the last. That is sub 20 minute pace for 5k. Even to maintain that for 400 metres - well done, the interval training certainly seems to be working for you.

[Hidden in reply to baronblaze]

Thank you, it was hard though.

[davelinks Graduate]

Some Guinness maybe? lol

[Hidden in reply to davelinks]

Now there's a thought