Mid Season development

I'm starting to get the hang of the pop in my legs. We've put the training-through phase on hold for a moment as we grapple for a few good times at Oxy Distance Carnival and Cal/Nevada Championships.

After a couple of 800s in 1:56.0 and 1:56.4 respectively, plus a couple of insanely harsh workouts, my speed is starting to develop into what I'm wanting to to. I still have a ways to go, but 26s 200s feel comfortable, and that is a step in the right direction.

Yesterday was a good indicator. A staple workout we have is called the '500 breakdown.' It goes 500-400-300, 7min recovery. All out. That's it. Sounds easy? It's ridiculously hard. You're essentially in three separate races. Against your teammates. Against yourself. Against the clock.

I usually lead the first 200m of most reps, simply because the other guys aren't the best pacers in the world. But this workout isn't about pace, you just go all out.

15min warmup, then spike up.

The long warmup gives us time to feel out our muscles after spring break. We've had a pretty easy last couple of days, so everyone should feel good. At least to some degree.

On the line for the 500, the mood is a little tense. Everyone knows how much this workout hurts.

As we fly around the turn and down the backstretch, I settle in. 200m passed in 26.low. Nothing I haven't done before.

Coming around the turn for the home straight I feel good. I have another gear. Lets use it

I change gears and pass the 400m mark in 53.5. 67 for the 500.

7min of sauntering about, trying to stay loose before the hamstrings lock up and stay that way.

400m - 54/55

7min of stumbling about, trying to get rid of the locked hamstrings.

Final 100m of the 300, and everyone is in their own world. The Pain has shifted to track mode. Unquestionably, unequivocally, track mode.

The next 45min are a daze. Runners are strewn about the track premises, throwing up, shuffle jogging, clutching their sides, legs, head, the grass. We are a mess.

But the speed pays off. How much can a race hurt when you hurt this much in practice?

Let me tell you,

not as much.