6x800m with Caleb

Goal:
Pre race workout

Actual:
5k Warmup
6x800m with 2:00 rest at 2:35, 2:38, 2:37, 2:37, 2:38, 2:38
3.3 mile cool down for 10 miles total

Caleb and I opted to sleep in and do this workout in the afternoon instead.  I was open to workout options as it was pre-race and really just wanted company. Caleb had an 800m workout prescribed as one of his last workouts leading up to the Boston Marathon, so I said yes and headed to the Dilworth Speed Loop with him to get this done.

There isn't too much to report for the intervals except that we went out too fast on the first interval and I felt like my legs paid for it on the others.  I felt really good and strong, but I would have rather finished in a 2:35 than begun with one.  Caleb and I were together for the first 4 intervals, but on the final two, he fell back a little bit and I was left to push hard on my own terms.

I'm ready for a nice 8k in Greensboro on Saturday, but I'm definitely not looking forward to the hills around the course.

8x800m repeats

Goal:
8x800m with 2:00 rest at 2:40-2:44

Actual:
3 mile warmup
8x800m in 2:43 (1:58), 2:42 (1:51), 2:41 (1:52), 2:41 (1:47), 2:40 (1:48), 2:44 (1:55), 2:41 (1:50), 2:43
3 mile cool down for 10 miles total

Had a nice crew out in the morning for this one...Billy, Caleb and Spada all met at the Speed Loop for some 800m fun.  We alternated the 800m route by going back and forth, which meant that the even numbered intervals were considering harder and more uphill.  However, this change in the route made it a bit easier to mentally handle 8 repetitions.  At the start of the first interval, I kept my new plan in mind and stayed in the back of the pack to let the boys take the lead.  Caleb stayed next to me for the first 6 intervals, who again proved to be a trusty sidekick to keep me going.  While I hoped this effort would feel a lot easier, it felt somewhat difficult and I was ready for it to be over after 5 reps.  I didn't want to bail in front of all the guys, so I pushed my own discomfort aside and kept going.  Really, finishing a workout is quite simple when you put your mind 100% into the game and just convince yourself it's really just not that hard.  That's what I did today.

Now off to Atlanta I go for Ottie and Sheryl's wedding!