Speed Work is Evil

I understand the premise.  I know I’ve got to train my body to push harder when I reach Anaerobic threshold and speed training allows me to do that in increments.  I just don’t like it!  It’s WAY faster than I’m used to running any more (though comically it isn’t about the pace as much the time at the pace, or the velocity) and it seems quite draining.  So, each cycle through this training program when I have reached speed work, I’ve been a bit hesitant.  Coupled with the more than coincidence that each time I’ve done speed work I have come down with some illness and there are plenty of reasons why I hate it.

This also brings me to a point where I’m not sure how to proceed.  I’ve done all (since I discount the road races as training) of my training on a treadmill.  I found a treadmill pace conversion chart which indicates that my training may actually be slightly faster than I was targeting in the first place.  For this speed work, I was supposed to run 8.8 miles per hour.  I set the incline for 2% when running and according to this chart, I’m actually hitting 6:37 per mile instead of the attempted 6:50.  I was supposed to run 3 miles at that pace, but I’m once again not paying attention to the regimen and instead opted for 4.  Unfortunately, to get the fourth mile in, I had to lower the incline to 1%, which the chart says is 6:51.  Now, that’s actually closer to the target 6:50, but I just don’t know if what I’m doing is reasonable or not.  If anyone is actually reading this, send me a comment and let me know, especially if you’ve got any experience in running.

I got it all done.  I was exhausted but I ran the complete circuit.  I tweet my training completion to post it to Facebook as my status as well, and of course someone decides to compare their times and distances to mine.  I usually feel guilty about this.  I’m not posting to show anyone up, I’m just posting because it gives me a sense of accomplishment.  I’m struggling through this alone and hoping to find support, not to bring others down.  Oh well!

Cheers!