Week 4 : Session 1 : Pacing and self knowledge

I really enjoyed training last night and it could not have been a greater contrast to Wednesday’s session last week.

I knew the plan was warm up jog, running drills, then three repeats of 1.2k (increasing speed on the final 400m), with 400m slow jog recovery between each.

There was no guest speaker so I knew I’d be able to get home nice and early and also that we’d have time to get through the full session, no compromises.

I thought about the challenges I faced last week, going out to fast on the first interval and spending the rest of the time recovery, and I thought about how counting in my head with my breath helped me manage my pace on Saturday’s run.

I wanted to maintain or slightly increase my speed with each 1.2k repeat which meant finding the balance of pushing hard but not too hard.

Well the short of a long story is it worked out! I kept a counting rhythm going in my head which I varied according to my pace, I managed to feel in control of myself and in control of my pace, I picked up the pace for each of the final 400s, I jogged slowly during recovery, and when all was said and done and I was able to check my my times it was something like 8:13, 8:09, and 7:49.

During the running I focused mainly on the counting but when my mind did slip I tried to steer it towards positive thoughts – how it was a beautiful night and pleasure to be running under those conditions, how attractive albert park lake is, how much I enjoyed the challenge of pacing and that it was truly all about self knowledge and working towards surrendering the ego. Good times!

Nutrition continues to be very challenging this week! I’ll keep you posted on that one.

Two quotes that are rocking my world today :

If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right && He who rejects change is the architect of decay.