Class 1

Welcome to this combined class. A reminder that 5K runners can always step up to the longer of the two distances, as several of you did today. If you made that choice, I ask that you also take the longer of the two tests on Thursday.

You'll take a full and separate warmup that day, then test yourself at either one or two miles. The idea is to see how much faster you can go than you did today. Meet outdoors, at our now-standard spot near the east entrance to the Rec Center.

Starting now, I post a mini-lesson on running each day. This will be the basis of the quiz at term's end.

TODAY'S 2 MILES

(with per-mile pace; target was to stay relaxed, running at a pace much slower than you could race a similar distance; if you didn't pause your watch at stoplights, you probably ran faster than listed here)

Bryce -- 16:27 (8:13 pace)
Alex -- 17:03 (8:31s)
Alyssa -- 17:30 (8:45s)
Elliot -- 18:46 (9:23s)
Sugam -- 22:00 (11:00s)
Mickey -- 15:41 (7:50s)
Ashlen -- 20:15 (10:07s)
Jianzhong -- 22:12 (11:06s)

TODAY'S 4 MILES

(with per-mile pace; target was to stay relaxed, running at a pace much slower than you could race a similar distance; if you didn't pause your watch at stoplights, you probably ran faster than listed here)

Peter -- 34:20 (8:35 pace)
Lyanne -- 46:55 (11:44s)
Zach -- 34:40 (8:40s)
Matt -- 26:47 (6:41s)
Amina -- 43:10 (10:47s)
Doug -- 39:09 (9:47s)
Jordan -- 38:57 (9:44s)
Dillon -- 29:09 (7:17s)
Lauren O. -- 39:09 (9:47s)
Miranda -- 44:29 (11:07s)
Becky -- 39:09 (9:47s)
Tyler -- 26:26 (6:36s)
Austin -- 26:15 (6:34s)
Anna -- 31:43 (7:56s)
Zidi -- 38:58 (9:44s)
Lauren W. -- 34:00 (8:30s)

LESSON 1: WHY RACE?

Running in races is not a requirement for calling yourself a runner. Running is easier and safer without this added effort. Racing is hard, and moderately risky – but also exciting, challenging and motivating as it pushes you farther and faster than you could go alone. The race itself puts you on the line – not just the starting line but at the red-line of your abilities, where you can push no harder without breaking. Racing puts your training and resolve to their final test. You don’t take this test alone but in the company of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of runners like yourself. You aren’t competing with them; you’re cooperating. The competition isn’t with others but with the distance, the course, the conditions and the voice inside that pleads with you to ease off. Everyone else in the race is tested the same ways. You push, pull and pace each other.