First Track Workout of 2026

The day after my first "real" outdoor ride of 2026, I hit the track for the first time this calendar year as well. I wanted to do some sort of "mid-distance" intervals, so I figured I'd do 800s. Then on the way to the track, I decided I wanted to throw in some 400s as well. So I did an old favorite of 4 x (800 meters then 400 meters) with 2:00 rest between everything. The track was just started to get a little light on it when I showed up early:

Thanks to the daylight savings time change, this will be dark again for a while!


It had drizzled, but was not raining at the moment.

I just wanted to get in a hard effort. I was HOPING I'd start around 2:40 for the 800s and then descend them, but as the first track workout in maybe 4-5 months, I didn't know what to expect. The 400s were going to be a real crapshoot - no real goals for those.

The first 800 was solid with 400 splits of 1:20 and 1:19 equaling 2:40. Right on track. (Pun intended.) The next 2 800s were both 2:38, so I didn't know if I'd be able to drop any time on the final 800. Here's what I ran:

1:20 + 1:19 = 2:40.8
1:15.2
1:19 + 1:18 = 2:38.5
1:14.8
1:18 + 1:19 = 2:38.2
1:15.2
1:18 + 1:17 = 2:35.7
1:13.2

By the look of those splits, it seems like I could have gone harder in the 3rd 800 and 3rd 400, but was too scared. But it was a solid workout.

A brighter track when I finished (but more clouds as it was nearly raining).


Always puddles on the north end - I ran on the edge of lane 1 and 2 on that curve.


Turkeys on campus on my cooldown home.


Nothing unusual here.

I was aware of the long ride the day before when I was starting the workout, but then I forgot about it until the workout was over - it didn't stick in my head as an "excuse" to run slower. My legs got through 2 days of big workouts decently!