Speed Work

Tonight's run calls for speed - I like to go fast!

So, what are the benefits of speed work, you might ask?  For beginning runners, speed work helps to improve running form as well as mental discipline.  Sure, it's easy tor run fast for a short period of time, but keeping it up for more than a mile is a bit more challenging. It's important to ease in to the faster speeds - start out slow and gradually increase your speed and stride. For experience runners, the speed training will help them zip through the marathon on race day at a more consistent, faster speed than they normally train at.

I didn't think I had it in me to run fast tonight.  The balance ball workout from last night really tired me out.  So, I ran the first two miles at a 9:00-10:00 min/mile pace.  Then, I increased it to 8:30 for two miles, then 8:00 for 1 mile, then 8:30 for a mile, then 7:30 for a mile, then 8:00 for the final mile before cooling down.  The total was 8 miles in 70 minutes - not too bad.