Paul wasn't a huge fan of the disc golf course but I really liked the paved path. Some of it was shaded through the woods and other parts were exposed to the sun. But it was very pretty the whole time.
My first mile was rough. I just felt reaaaally slow... like I was running uphill, except I wasn't. (Except for when I was, hahaha!) Halfway through this loop I was soooo bored. Running 6 miles was going to be really rough if I was already bored. I contemplated trying to do a little bit of speed work... My first mile was 10 minutes.
I decided I would do the next loop a little bit faster since I was nice and warmed up. I picked up my effort a tiny bit. Being warmed up plus the extra effort I put in resulted in a 9 minute mile.
For the next mile, I aimed to do an 8 minute pace. I picked it up and I clocked in at a 7:24! I used to be able to run a 7:24 like it was no big thang... but this WAS a big thang!
My next loop was just going to be a recovery mile. I finished it in the high 8s, which felt like a relaxed pace, now that my fast twitch muscle fibers were activated. I haven't used them in a really long time!
For mile 5 my goal was to kick it into gear and do something faster than a 7:24. I dug deep... not throw uppy deep or anything, but I made myself... uncomfortable, shall we say. I was OVERJOYED when my last mile clocked in at a 6:54! Guys, it has been a really long time since I ran a sub 7 mile.
My last loop was a cool down. I turned my Garmin off and took some pictures.
I'm glad I tried doing some speed work on this day. It boosted my confidence. I think I may try doing it more often. Even if it's just picking up the pace for a mile or two during my normal 6 milers around my neighborhood. I have just gotten so slow this summer and I am not sure why. Even when I'm not actively doing speed work, my "happy pace" is normally in the low 8s. Not anymore.
All in all, it was a productive run, just in the fact that I did something DIFFERENT than just slog along... like I have been doing for months!
Tell me some fun speed work ideas to make my runs more fun!
Preferably nothing too high tech...
Preferably nothing too high tech...
Hmm, now you have me thinking of some fun and creative ways to do speed work! I will think of them for YOU because I know my " speedwork" if I even do it isn't very speedy...lol
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you this on an earlier post ( but my comment wouldn't go through for some reason) but I have never ever heard of disc golf before I started reading your blog . Is it just common knowledge that these parks have disc golf? Is it something that you have to bring with you and set up or is it already at the park? I've been intrigued by this.
I'm not sure when I first heard of disc golf... Probably Paul! So when you play DG, you would bring your own discs, but that is it. The baskets are already on the course and the tees are already there too. Paul uses this website to find good courses, but you can always just Google it! https://www.dgcoursereview.com/ Okay, so for instance, I am going to see if I can find some disc golf courses near you. I went to Disc Golf Scene and typed in your zip code. Apparently the closest one to you is 18 miles away in Hughesville! Maybe DG isn't big in Northern PA? There are 16 courses within 25 miles of us!
DeleteAlso you use different discs for different distances. There are putters, drivers, etc, like real golf!
DeleteThat is so awesome! Way to go.....you are so strong :)
ReplyDeleteThanks girl!
DeleteWoohoo for speed work! I actually love track workouts and things like that but I sometimes think I'm the exception among runners. On the other hand, easy runs are extremely hard for me because I don't get much satisfaction from say, 6 miles, unless it's over a bridge or involves a track...
ReplyDeleteOne thing I started doing, that I think is a good way to get into speedwork or help people who have the marathoner legs, is adding some 100-200m sprints at the end of a run. Even if you do from lightpole to lightpole on your route, it can work. For me it opens up my stride a little bit and that helps. I'm trying to do them because I'm starting to lose what little 5K speed I had in favor of endurance. But honestly, any time you pick up the pace is good, you gotta change it up for your body AND to add variety!
Dang girl, way to go! 6:54 in the middle of August when it's crazy hot out after not doing speedwork in a long time...... *bows down* My queen.
ReplyDeletelol Thanks Kristina!
DeleteAdventure is right by our place! We used to do speed work there a lot last year, and Roger goes there at least once a week, he loves that place!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the speed workout!! You are so fast!!
Our other favorite park in Hershey just installed disc golf holes. It's called Shank Park, by the medical center. It's a lot bigger than Adventure, and goes along our "long run" path. You should check it out!
Yeah it is near you! Are there any back roads you can run to get there? I have been to Shank Park before. Our running group used to sometimes meet there. We liked the place because they had a REALLY NICE bathroom. Is the bathroom still really nice? OH COOL they have DG! Paul and I will have to head out there.
DeleteYou've done an awesome job, Megan! Your run is so motivating!
ReplyDeleteThanks girl!
DeleteSo you're saying I need to keep up with it!? :)
ReplyDelete