Week In Review

Wow, what a week. I missed my Monday and Tuesday runs, but was able to run Thursday and Friday.

I ran the road around my house both times, with a metronome to keep pace. On Thursday I ran at 140 strides per minute until the last mile which I was doing 150 strides per minute or better. Of course  I full sprinted the last bit. I was able to pull off a 5:48:70 minute/mile. I was very pleased considering that I was running a 7 minute/mile at the beginning of this year.

Friday I wanted to up my pace (as is my goal every time I run). I decided to run at 160 strides per minute. I did the 160 for the first 2 miles. I rounded the corner for the last mile having run a little more than 12 minutes. I stepped up my pace for that point forward once or twice per minute, and sprinted the last leg.  I do not know how many strides per minute I was doing. I made that trip in 17:24:69 for a 5:36:77 minute mile.

Both times what helped me up my time was keeping the end in mind. I always run with the end in mind and try to see where I am in relation to that, and where I need to be. If I want a 5:30 mile/minute, I figure out how fast I need to be running in the present.

The other thing that helps me is the metronome. The metronome is a beautiful tool for running, especially if you are doing pace work. I run with it all the time. Just take the beats per minute and run one stride prt beat. It helps me visualize where I am at the very moment of the run. Before I started with a metronome I notice I would do one of two things: either  I would be running too fast the whole time and wear myself out before I finished, or I would run too slow and not make my goal. The metronome keeps me running at an even pace, the  pace I need to achieve my goal.

I am thankful to God for giving me the ability that I have. He chose me to be able to run, and I try to steward my gift to the limit. Solo Deo Gloria!