First Track Intervals in 4 Months

Before I get to the intervals, I should also mention that I swam this week for the first time since my last triathlon in August. I went nearly 3 whole months without swimming. But a labored 1200 meter swim changed that.

Yesterday, while waiting for Target to figure out the simple photo order that I had sent in, I took a half hour and busted out some intervals on the St. Thomas track:

Hoodie, keys, and water bottle on the edge of the track

It had been nearly 4 months since my last intervals, and it was only my 3rd time doing intervals all year! Last year at this time, we already had a foot of snow, so I knew it was a blessing to be able to run on a clean, dry track! It was 40 degrees and breezy, but I put on my calf sleeves (which help to keep me warm) with shorts, and I was grand.

3 x 1600 with 90 seconds rest:

The first interval felt good. The first 2 400s were consistent.

The second interval felt pretty "clunky." I was stomping my way through most of it (starting around 500 meters in). I started faster and slowed up a bit in the first 800.

Third interval was hell (but really good for me). The first 2 400s were pretty even (and fast), but I was hashed. Felt like I was stomping and had no form through any of it. Tried to keep my foot strikes quick.

2:50, 2:46 = 5:36
2:50, 2:43 = 5:33
2:45, 2:41 = 5:26

5:31.6 average

Nice descend. I had hoped to be a little faster, but I'll take it. It beat me up (in a good way). It was slower (but in a way it was better) than my last intervals in early August. I went out too hard a few months ago, and ran 5:24, 5:34, and 5:33. And I took some extra rest before the last interval because I so stupidly went out too hard and was dying at the end.

I grabbed a photo just 30 seconds after the final interval while I was sweaty and still breathing hard:

My hands were red and chilly once I got home, so I took a photo:

You really CAN'T see how red they were, but what you CAN see is my chest hair in the lower-left part of the image. Sweet. I used the self-timer so I could hit the shutter button and hold the camera with my chin so both hands (and apparently my chest hair) could be in the photo.

Back with a giveaway next week! Do you like music? Music while working out? Well, then stop back on Monday for a great giveaway! Happy weekend!