One of the best things about finishing a race you have been preparing for for a while, is being able to take a break afterwards. Even if its only for a week, cutting back can feel great! We just ran in the B.A.A. 5k, and while I’d love to take a break and just go for fun workouts, the structure of the Distance Medley doesn’t really cut me any slack! The 10k is in just 8 weeks, and as it is a distance I’ve never even come close to running, I really have some hard work to do.
The training guide that I’m following has three runnings days (a medium run, a short run, and a long run), two cross-training days, one stretching day, and one rest day. While I know the most important thing is to complete the distance runs, so I can really run the whole 6.2, I’d really like to improve my speed, because I’m embarrassingly slow and I’m pretty sure I can be out-walked while running my fastest.
Short run days are perfect if you are trying to incorporate speed training. Every Thursday, I’m scheduled to run 2 miles. And on those days, I am trying to run faster intervals, so I can eventually work up to a faster pace that I will be able to maintain for long distances. Last Thursday was my first attempt at this, and I was pretty excited to get out there. I started running and when I got blown over by my first gust of 25 mph wind, I knew my speed training wasn’t going to go so well.
As a beginner runner, I never really thought about how winds affected a run. I didn’t understand why people said they were hitting the treadmill, when it looked like a perfectly sunny day. Running in the wind is horrible! With winds of 25 mph you end up using 20% more energy to maintain your normal pace. So while it may not have been a good day for speed training, I did get in a good workout, finishing my two miles at my normal pace. What I didn’t know is that people pay money to create windy conditions in which to train. Resistance running really has benefits when you’re training. Seems crazy to me!
Windy hair is not ideal. (Me at the top of Arthur's Seat; Edinburgh, Scotland)
Some tips for running in high winds:
1. Wear tighter clothes (you don’t want your baggy shirt to become a sail!)
2. Lean into the wind, relax your shoulders so you don’t tense up.
3. Wear your hair in a tight ponytail (girls and long-haired guys…) and if you have bangs, wear a headband! My bangs were flying all over the place, and there were long periods of time when I couldn’t see. I think I looked pretty crazy, running exceptionally slowly with a curtain of hair in my face...
4. Wear sunglasses. There’s nothing like city dirt flying in your eyes to ruin a perfectly good run.
Tune in tomorrow for an exciting Undy Run Race Recap!
That is an epic picture of you in Scotland.