Around 4:00 this afternoon, I was wrapping up work and getting ready for my run. I had a lactate threshold run on the docket – 12 miles with 7 miles @ half marathon pace (roughly 6:40 pace). All week I had been planning on doing the speedwork on the treadmill. Why? Well, quite frankly speedwork on the treadmill is easier. It was a cop out. There are no hills or wind to deal with on the treadmill and you just have to set your pace and run. However, as 4:00 rolled around the temperature hit its high point of the day; 40* with sunny blue skies. It was going to be hard to pace up running in such great weather (well, great weather for January in Michigan).
I headed to The Twitter for some advice:
And the advice quickly rolled in…
So, my decision was made… (Note: some the tweets came in after I left on my run)
And the verdict?
Epic Amazing run! I did a 3 mile warm up and then managed to pretty much hit the pace I needed to on each of the 7 miles at pace. A nice 2 mile cool down wrapped up the run.
Split 1: 6:40 (Started off way to fast at a 6:20 pace and had to reign myself in)
Split 2: 7:00 (Had to walk over a bridge completely covered in ice – safety first)
Split 3: 6:44 (Started to dry heave about half way through but managed to keep it down)
Split 4: 6:37 (Finally managed to get in a zone)
Split 5: 6:40 (Still in the zone, this isn’t hard at all)
Split 6: 6:42 (Falling out of the zone)
Split 7: 6:42 (Oh dear Lord. Just hold on! Embrace the hurt!)
It turned out to be a huge confidence boast and I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of my tweeps (or is it twits?). Thanks everyone!
12 comments
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Mandy
January 27, 2012 at 8:43 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I missed the twitter question, but my vote would be for outside always if it is anything warmer than 10 degrees in January
But you know me and treadmills.
Great run!
Matthew Smith
January 27, 2012 at 10:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Heck yeah! That’s sweet to push so hard you dry heave! Good job! I would have voted for outside too. It really was a nice day outside. Woodlands is going to be awesome. I’m super excited for you. Keep up the good work!
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Mark in Ottawa
January 27, 2012 at 11:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad you had a great run. As far as I’m concerned (from a Canadian perspective) anything above 0c (or 32f) DEMANDS that you run outside. Especially if it’s not raining, sleeting, freezing raining, or snowing.
Today, here, it was between -5c and 0c today, and freezing rain at noon. Just a weights workout at noon and curling in the evening. Tomorrow sees a great brick workout with a bike interval and then a nice tempo run….inside.
Thanks for posting – it’s great motivation to hear how your training is going.
Mark (in Ottawa, Canada)
Jeff Irvin
January 28, 2012 at 11:31 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Dude – way to smash it! My new plan for the Woodlands is to find your left shoulder and just hang on!
God Bless THE Twitter as it is always right. Never question the power of THE Twitter!
Jeff Irvin recently posted..Running is Perplexing …
Ironman By Thirty (Kevin)
January 28, 2012 at 11:41 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ll try and remember to only spit and puke over my right shoulder then. Apologies in advance if I forget.
We got some snow and serious winds today so it is looking like 21 on the mill today to acclimate to the climate. Legs feel awesome after yesterday so I might try and push the pace a little or at least run at 1-2% incline to make up for being indoors.
DR
January 28, 2012 at 5:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
excellent run ur on a roll keep it up
excellent support….er ah mostly anyway….i suspect it was the name calling that did you right?!!
Elizabeth
January 29, 2012 at 10:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nicely done!! and Congrats!!!!! I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Treadmills are for pussies. You want to train for a race, run outside…unless you are doing a race where everyone is on a treadmill.
Elizabeth recently posted..What’s the plan, Stan?
Sarah
January 30, 2012 at 10:33 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Twitter helps me out too! It’s nice to have people push you! And it looks like you had a great run.
Beth
January 30, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nice! Outside is better ALWAYS!!
Beth recently posted..Treadmill Test
Matt Oravec
January 30, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
hilarious. honestly outdoor runs are easier than TM runs… I remember this every time I get on the mill again.
Great splits buddy… so close!
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Morgan
January 30, 2012 at 11:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Katie and Dick’s tweets win. Don’t be a rat on a wheel you heathen!
Morgan recently posted..Better To Be Safe, Then Sorry
Colleen
January 30, 2012 at 11:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I missed the voting too, but if I ever debate outside or inside (even if it means sacrificing my pace), I lean for outside running. And look… you still rocked the heck out of that run. Win win!