Welcome to my class – or welcome back
to many of you who know the routine here. Starting today I’ll post your run
result on this blog after each class and will include a mini-lesson on running.
Two first-day glitches slightly altered
the intended distances. First, someone removed my cones from the turf fields,
resulting in extra yardage there. Later, the longer runners hit a construction
roadblock, shortening their course.
Thursday you’ll meet at the
now-standard spot, north end of turf fields near 15th Avenue. It has
a restroom and water fountain, benches and a place to leave your belongings
under cover.
The run that day, after a good warmup,
will be a one- or two-mile test. I prefer that word to “race” because you’re
only testing yourself, not needing to beat anyone to the finish line.
TODAY’S
2.1 MILES
(with
per-mile pace, based on distance of 2.07 for most of you; you’ll compare this
with your one-mile test time on Thursday, trying to go faster then)
Bryce – 20:41 (9:59 pace)
Alex – 17:38 (8:23s)
Connor – 20:00 (9:40s)
Elliot – 20:00 (9:40s)
Rachel – 20:55 (10:06s)
Jake – 14:21 (6:56s)
Becky – 20:00 (9:40s)
Jonathan – 20:10 (9:44s)
Eleanor – 19:49 (9:54s for 2.00 miles)
TODAY’S
3.8 MILES
(with
per-mile pace; you’ll compare this with your two-mile test pace on Thursday,
trying to go faster then)
Sam – 34:47 (9:09 pace)
Ella –34:47 (9:09s)
David – 30:23 (7:59s) after
half-marathon race on Sunday
Lana – 32:01 (8:25s)
Mariana – 40:55 (10:46s)
Nathan – 30:46 (8:05s)
Sota – 30:47 (8:06s)
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.
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