Running and training this week is geared to an indoor track meet on Sunday - The USATF Eastern Region Masters Championship.
As a result, most of the mileage during the week was easy miles. I cut back Tuesday's workout to a fartlek session - I ended up running faster for 1' - 2' bursts at whatever pace felt 'relatively hard'. I did this for 8 reps. My legs felt pretty dead, lot of junk leftover from Saturday's track workout. I also didn't run an LR this week, so the overall mileage is down. Not a worry, since the goal is to run a fast 3k, 1500, and 400m leg of a relay on Sunday.
The Track Meet
I carpooled with a couple team mates the hour drive to the indoor track in Maryland. The location is right next to the new Redskins stadium, we had to park in one of their lots and take the long walk in. Not a big deal though.
My schedule for races is 3k at 12:30; 1500 at 1:30; and 400 relay at 4:00 on a 200 meter track with flat turns (that is; not banked).
About 11:30 I went outside for a couple miles warm-up. I learned in track meets you need to 'get ready' for each event quite early. Go to the registration table, get your 'hip number' and....wait. Then....wait. Until you finally called to go on the track for your event. If you leave the area to loosen up, you are told to 'go back and wait'. In the end, this means I spent much of the the hour between the 3k and 1500 in 'ready' mode waiting my turn to go back on the track again.
How I went:
- 3k - I did okay. I finished in 10:45. I thought I could do about 10:30. My first race on a track, and I learned a lot about tactics. I spent too much time in a group that was SLIGHTLY slower than me, and I should have gone around sooner. Pass on the straights, not the turns. Good, hard effort. Ran in VaporFly as did a couple other guys in the race.
- 1500 - oofffaaahhh. I learned that I can't run a 1500 an hour after a 3k. About 300m in I knew this race would be relegated to a "workout". I finished in 5:22 (which is about 3k pace from my last race). I did run in spikes - that was interesting. Good traction, and solid push-off, etc. Did they make me any faster? Dunno. But, I FEEL like I was faster....
- 400 relay - for two of my team mates and me, this was our first time holding a baton. And, we didn't practice at all before the race (even though) we planned to. So, the hand-offs were safe; as in I stand still on the track and take the baton, then start running. It was fun, and a good experience.
Overall, I like being on a team and enjoy the overall atmosphere of a 'track meet'. I never did this in HS, so it's all new to me.
I think I can improve once I learn the feeling and tactics.
Interesting comment: I asked a more experienced Team mate before my races what I should expect from the other runners as far and pace, etc. He said "Well, in road races are you toward the front of your AG? I said "Yes". He said "Well, image a road race where only the couple Guys at the front of each AG are running". Got it.
Weekly Mileage: 35
Tuesday Workout: Fartlek - not really pushing very much.
Long Run: N/A
Daily:
- Monday: 60' Easy w/Strides. Hip/leg maintenance work.
- Tuesday: Fartlek. Straight to shower, no extra strength work.
- Wednesday: 60' E. Foam roll/stretch. Upper body strength.
- Thursday: OFF
- Friday: 50' E w/strides.
- Saturday: 30' Shakeout
- Sunday: Track Meet! About 6 miles total with all the warm-up / cool down.
As of writing this (Tuesday - two days post races), I don't feel too bad. Kind of like how I feel after a 5k race; maybe a little more tired. After all, I did "race" 4900 meters; just in smaller and smaller sections as the day wore on.
Onward.
