Week 8 Run 1 done...thank goodness

[Aldlib]

I was dreading this run - 20 x 1 min with 1 min recovery @ 90% effort. The only thing that got me out the door was knowing that it would be over fairly quickly and there was no way I would have done it under my own steam so I needed the club. Also knowing that other people on here have had tough runs in the last week and kept going, and that we are all working through training plans, meant I had a good talk to myself to get a grip and get out the door. So much of this running malarkey is winning the battles in my own head!

After a quick warm up to get the heart rate up, I set off for my first minute run and then just counted them down and prayed for it to be over. By the time you get to about the tenth repeat, the coaches become very vocal, telling you to dig deep, keep your form, lift your head up etc and they countdown the last 15 seconds of each run minute so you know the torture is almost done. Some of the really fit guys jog the recovery, but I walk it as slowly as I can just to try and get my breathing and heart rate back as much as possible. These are one of my favourite runs after they are done, but my goodness they are hard work during it. On a positive note, I now seem to be able to run faster at a lower heart rate which I suspect is an indication of improved fitness. If only I could do that over longer runs! Another one ticked off and I am glad it’s done.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow well done Aldlib, that would be my idea of torture! I don’t even like doing JogRunSprint where the sprint sections are only 10 seconds - which would explain why I’m still very much a 🐌😅

Your dedication will reap dividends though. Brilliant run! 👏👊👍

[Aldlib Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I hope so lol. They do improve your fitness to be fair, but I wish there was an easier way to do that lol. Slow is my fav pace x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Aldlib]

Definitely mine too! 👍

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Great work. That's a really tough interval run but you will reap the benefits! Great consistency with the 90% effort. They are difficult to maintain on long sessions! Awesome work. 😎😎

[Aldlib Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Aw, thank you, the coaches terrify me a little bit so that helps and the shame of having to stop when there are about 40 other people still running is also slightly motivating lol.

[Windoze Half Marathon in reply to Aldlib]

Ah ignore that. I always walk the recovery sessions at club track events. Best way to recover 🤪

[Hidden]

Well done!!! That looks grim, but you did it! We are on week 8 so it’s getting harder. I’ve definitely felt the toughness factor hotting up. Onwards and upward! Xx

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

You get one hal of a glow after these runs don't you? Just a shame you have to go through all that to reap it.

I imagine those that jog the slow part are aware that the lower your heart rate falls, the more wokr it has to do to catch up on the next sprint.

Well done tohugh. Very good times.