First Time Running at the Metrodome This Winter

Yep, it's that time of the year. If I still want to do any speed work, I have to head indoors. (I love running outside during the winter, but trying to run sub-6:00 miles on this frozen tundra is like asking Tyson to "tap" you on the chin. Not pretty.)

Pharmie and I headed over to Minneapolis after picking up a Christmas tree on Thursday. It was SO fun to bump into "internet buddies" and other familiar faces!! We got to chat with Omar, Jen, Matt M, Steve Q, Brian, and Sandra! (Oh jeez, I hope I'm not missing anyone!....)

Matt M ran 2 laps with me as I warmed up for my intervals. He had done a harder run in the morning and was now just going to run easy for a bit. He spent the rest of the time running with my lovely Pharmie:

Pharmie and Matt

The Dome is just over 600 meters per lap. My plan was to do 2.5 lap intervals (my favorite Dome workout). So I did 4 x 1502 meters every 7:00. At the end of my first interval, Steve Q caught up with me, and we did part of 2 intervals together. Here were my times:

[1 lap, 1 lap, 1/2 lap = total]

2:08, 2:07, 1:02 = 5:18
2:02, 2:05, 1:02 = 5:10
2:05, 2:06, 1:00 = 5:11
2:02, 2:04, 1:00 = 5:07

Average of 5:11.50 / interval (1502 meters)
(That's 5:33 / mile pace)

Quick Side Note: I felt "good" during the intervals. I was kinda comfortable, but I was working too. So I was surprised my times were that good. I realized (during the last interval) that as I was running them, I WAS hurting. But as Coach Jen worked with me for those 8 weeks leading up to the TC 10 Mile, she taught me how to deal with that kind of pain. Now, sometimes I feel like I'm not working as hard. In reality, I AM working hard, but I've just been taught to work through it a little better. It's never too late to keep saying "THANKS COACH JEN!!" ;)

Anyway, as I was wrapping up my last few intervals, I saw that Steve Q had joined Matt and Pharmie, and now they were all catching up during their run. I ran a cooldown with them, and grabbed a shot of those 3:

Steve Q, Pharmie, Matt M, and someone making a pass

Thanks for keeping my wife company, Matt M and Steve Q! See you around the Dome again soon!

After that, Pharmie and I ran to Cub Foods to pick up some groceries. This is NOT a good place to be standing after intervals while starving:

All I can focus on are the Mini Charleston Chews and the Reese's Pieces

Click here for the Dome running schedule for this winter. I bet you'll see Pharmie or I there at LEAST once a week throughout the winter! Happy training!