Sheeple

I don't like track workouts. I think if you like track workouts, then you are not doing them right. Even though I know how helpful they are for improving running race times, I am guilty of neglecting track workouts, and substituting them with interval training workouts. Even when I get to the track by myself, I start doing the workout, and after a few sprints, transition to something else without finishing the speed drills.

So when I got the email saying the Aquaholics (or the Nowhere Tri Team... or the Noname Tri Team...) were meeting at 5:45AM for a track workout, two things came to my mind. First of all, why so late? (As they roll their eyes reading this.) Second, misery loves company. I was happy to share my suffering with other pain enthusiasts. When it comes to these workouts, I prefer to be part of a group, in which the herd mentality is going to get us through the task at hand. Yeap, I am happy to be part of the sheeple.

So I got to the pool at 4:45AM and was surprised to see a lot of people at the door. It was so crowded there were two swimmers in every lane, which is unusual for that time of the day. The word must be out. I swam 1600m at a steady pace, got out of the pool, changed into my running clothes, and awaited for the rest of the herd.

The workout consisted of 1x1600m at 10K pace, 2x800m at 5K pace, and 4x400m all-out. Normally, my 10K pace is 1:40/400m; my 5K pace is 1:35/400m; and I estimate my all-out pace is 1:25/400m. Going in, I was a little concerned about my right calf, which is in a little pain after the Ramapo Rally. However, the herd pushed my pace in all distances, so I ended up doing 1:35 for my 10K pace, and 1:30 for my 5K pace. For my four all-out sprints, I ended up doing 1:21, 1:25, 1:32 (lost it on that one), and 1:24.

So I am very happy with the results. I am also delighted to know that this will become a weekly workout for us, which in the end will prove beneficial for all. Thanks to Maija for coming up with the workout, Matt for checking the track availability, Todd for making sure we all kept our times, and Claudia for summarizing everybody's feeling by saying: "This sux!" Amen sister. Thinking of it, I was the black sheep, as I did not do anything!