Thursday, May 20, 2010

Exercising or Exorcising?

Sometimes when I set out for a run I do so in a serene context and just focus on having a good time. Other days, where some things are bothering me, I use my running as a way to exorcise my demons or pound the pavement as an outlet to the frustration caused by the hurdles I faced during the day or know I will be facing soon. This week has been a bit like that. Combine some minor disappointments at work with some increasingly annoying inconsistency in the totally awful Ottawa Bus Service and you have the recipe for a post-workday run that feels more like a session with the punching bag!

Tuesday's run was meant to be a 16k run at medium pace. That's the only medium paced run of the training cycle. I am not sure what medium pace should be. Turns out I probably never will because by the time I actually got home, about 2 hours late from when I wanted to be, I was so frustrated that I made it a tempo run. And a fast tempo run too! In 1h16, it gives me a pace of 4:48m/km. Phew!

Yesterday's 13km was intervals and I usually dread intervals but there were still a bit of frustration to fuel my run.
I think I may even have forgotten to slow down for one of the rest intervals ;)
I decided on a 1km warmup with alternating between fast and rest kms. Interval time were;
  • (5:40), 4:20, (5:10)
  • 4:20, (4:57)
  • 4:32, (5:06)
  • 4:24, (4:58)
  • 4:32, (5:07)
  • 4:30, (5:15)
Pretty spot on with my target of 4:30 for the intervals and much faster than my 5:15 goal for the rest periods.

In the mix this week was the always soothing Deedrah and the pounding and driving Psychedelic compilation from 3D Records.

PS: I think I convinced Alex to move back downtown. We are seeing some properties tonight.

3 comments:

  1. A tempo run sounds like a great way to shake off some stress. Nice pace! Excellent job on the intervals, too. You are so fast!

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  2. Great job venting the anger!

    Is downtown more exciting? Better for running? Sounds like you're excited for it so congrats!!

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  3. Downtown is exciting since it's nice to live there IMO. Not spending 2 hours a day getting to and from work means more time for running too :) Ottawa's downtown has so many scenic paths for running, it's an ideal city for runners.

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