I am not a fast runner

I've been having a great taper -- I've been sleeping and resting but workout out just enough to keep from getting sluggish. What was missing was good leg-turnover to shake out the antsy-ness that invariably creeps in when you're tapering from a long training cycle. So, this morning I laced up and hit the track. Since I haven't done speedwork in over a year, I didn't want to overdo it. I decided to run "the mile."

After a mile warmup, I took off. Chariots of Fire could be heard faintly in the background. Since I'm all rested, my legs felt great. The first lap of a speedworkout always feels great because it takes awhile for my body to even know what hit it. I felt like I was on fire. First lap: 1:50. Ummmmmm. . . ok I'm warm! Definitely warm.

The second lap was still great feeling, though I cruised in at 3:35. In the third lap, I became aware that I could scarcely breathe. My legs still felt awesome but my lungs were in total complete shock. They hadn't even run quickly through an airport in years. That firey bad feeling creeped in and I began to get that tingly feeling in my gums that I get when my breathing is labored. The last time I felt this was during an induced asthma attack when I participated in a medical research study at the UW Hospital.

Finally, the final lap arrived. My legs were still fresh and felt great -- I had to push on despite my inability to breathe. I gave it all I had! I felt like I might pass out due to the lack of oxygen but I was running as fast as I could! AND I FINISH! In 7:13. . .

It's kind of comical I think. I'll spare you the self-loathing and comparisons to back when I actually did speedwork regularaly --- but suffice it to say that miles and miles and miles of nothing but slow running begets slowness.

But it was a fun workout. I miss speedwork. If I finish and recover from Headlands I think I do want to return to the track. My lungs will thank me!