Cooler Days and Running in the Rain!

Summer running has been great so far. For several mornings in June, I have enjoyed running in the rain! I always enjoy running in the rain because of its natural cooling properties. This June the weather has been cool to go along with the cooling rains.

I can only hope that this summer the mornings will always be cool. Of course, I know better and I realize that the warm weather will eventually cause me to slow down this summer as usual. I do, however, intend to take advantage of this presently pleasant weather.

I'm currently reaping the benefits of Speed Work! My training runs are naturally faster and my speed sessions are gradually improving. These cool mornings have been great! Yesterday's speed workout was right on target. I wonder if I'll be able to keep it up as the weather warms?

Thinking About the Value of Practice for Proficiency!

Being a music teacher, I understand the value of consistent practice as one prepares for a performance. You must practice, no matter how you feel on a given day and you must strive to perform the music correctly and at the appropriate tempo. Through the years I've learned that when students walk into the classroom, they can control the atmosphere in negative and positive ways if you will let them.

The key, of course, is to enable the most positive atmosphere to prevail and to show the students the value of consistent efforts toward reaching a goal.

Musicians and runners want to work more on the things we do best, but we will never improve unless we challenge ourselves by working on the difficult things.

Speed work is challenging, but with consistent effort, the rewards should be fantastic. When I achieve my goals, it will be like a great musical performance in which I perform the most challenging passages with ease because of my faithful practice sessions!

I felt pretty good about my speed work this morning. Running the 1200 meters in the middle was quite the challenge.It really stressed my body!

I believe that I had a pretty good workout, although I was disappointed in my final 400. I suppose that the lesson here is to accept what your body can do at the time. With that in mind, this was a very good workout.

1x400@2:20 (5 seconds too slow)
1x800@4:28 (On Pace!!)
1x1200@7:13 (28 seconds too slow)
1x800@444 (14 seconds too slow)
1x400@2:36 (22 seconds too slow)

I was only 1 minute and 3 seconds off pace for overall performance. This should pay off!! Rest tomorrow!