Team Tiara Tempo Tuesday

I'm making the title sound much more fun that it actually was. I am probably one of those really strange people because I really do enjoy speed work. Interals, that is. To me, intervals are perfect. You get to sprint and then get to recover. Today on the training plan was a tempo run. This would be a first for me and I was excited to give it a try. When we got to the track, the weather was perfect for a run. Cool, low humidity, and slight breeze. In August, that's such a rarity it even pumped me up more. We were given a choice to do intervals or a tempo run. Drew and I chose the tempo run and off we went to warm up. One mile warm up, felt good. The cooler weather definitely made warming up a little harder. Muscles wanted to stay stiff, but after a brief sip of water, I was ready to head into the unknown world of tempo runs. What the heck did I get myself into? I realized after a lap and a half that I forgot to hit "Start" on the Garmin. DANGGIT!! The first few laps were not that bad, but I quickly realized that doing a tempo run on the track for my ADD brain would not be easy. I was right. I tried singing songs in my head. I tried counting to 100. I tried writing a story in my mind. I even played, if so-and-so committed a crime, what would they commit? Nothing worked to keep me occupied enough. Every lap around became a struggle. When you know your water bottle is right there, why does your mind suddenly make you think that you are in the Saraha and there's nothing you want more at that moment than water? I did stop quickly for a sip. My Garmin beeped and let me know that my battery is almost gone. Great! I found myself constantly looking down at the Garmin and the time wondering when this would be over with and time ticked ever so slowly. I think the meteor shower may have brought on a time continuum, but I'm not sure. The tempo run was supposed to be 35 minutes and the best I can tell, I did 27 minutes at 2.85 miles, for a pace of 9.47. Holy moly!! No wonder it was freakin' hard!!! I just now calculated that and had forgotten about not turning on my Garmin, so I was figuring around a 10 minute pace. As difficult as it was, I am excited about it. I know that the Turkey Trot is coming up in November and it will be one of my last chances this year to have an under-30 minute 5K. Seeing that number makes me know that it's possible. Next week we go back to intervals and that makes me happy. I see how speed work is affecting my pace and know I'm getting stronger. My long runs have decreased by about 30 seconds per mile. I'm thinking of changing my goal time for Spinx.

Some of you have asked for it, so here I am including the link to my page for Team Tiara. I'd love it if you can help me reach my goal, but most of all, I'd love it if you'd help contribute to this awesome program of Girls on the Run!!

Oh yeah, I got a call today from our local council leader and was invited to the Girls on the Run International Summit in January. I know it will be an fantastic time of fun and learning.