Once again,as happened a fortnight ago, no sooner had I parked up to start the warm up than the heavens opened ; right on cue. But I patiently waited and managed a warm, dry session if just a tad blustery.
So much for "flaming June".
I wouldn't normally undertake a track session 48 hours after Monday's 12 mile effort but I'm booked in for the Platt Fields 10K on Sunday and thought I'd give it a go today to be able to enjoy 3 rather than 2 easier days.
The planned session was 12 x 300 in 75s ; 20.50 an ambitious 5K pace for me.
From the off I felt flat footed , heavy with sore hamstrings and a worrying pain at the top of the right leg. Not good at all.
76 for the first rep , 75 for the second. On target but it was ugly! The discomfort in the right leg was still a concern; hence 76, 76, 77 and a 76 for the others to half way in the session.
I kept looking at the rapid response ambulance throughout wondering if the driver was thinking what a silly old b***** was doing on the track.
Very tempting to call it a day at this point doing just another 2 for 8 reps. But very often in training and racing we have to ask ourselves to dig a bit deeper, question our resilience and our resolve. The question I was asking was would my "rivals" give up at this point? Not the ones that always beat me.
So I ploughed on and the second half actually exceeded expectations; as is so often the case with me. The legs were becoming looser, less sore and whilst I wasn't exactly flying I accelerated to
75 75 75 73 72 and final 71 ! Lesson being persevere when things don't start off too well, dig a bit deeper and things can be turned around.
I passed the ambulance walking back to my car and couldn't resist jokingly thanking the driver for being on hand throughout the session. Although it was bit of a case of tempting fate!
A very pleasant, attractive young lady replied that watching me do the session had helped an hour or so pass by quickly as she had had no emergency calls to respond to. She explained how 999 calls would first be answered in Preston in 8 seconds. If not someone in Glasgow might then respond and send her to her next patient. Interesting.
Well done on persevering with the track session Terry. I hope the legs aren't complaining too much today. I'm fitting in two "speed" sessions this week in prep for 5k next Wednesday, the 2nd of which will possibly be on the track at Boston you found for me :)
ReplyDeleteTerry the language you use is important, along with realism and being honest with yourself.
ReplyDeleteDo I feel discomfort or do I actually feel pain?
That is crucial in the decision making process of persevering or knocking the session on the head.
I regularly creek and twinge when starting out, but loosen up and and get into flow before too long.
Being honest and reading your body signs, helps you to progress, rather than two steps forward and one back, because of chronic or persistent pain and injury.
Dave