…keep your tempo

...didn't say it was an easy clock to watch

Every other Wednesday I develop a terrible habit.  In its simplest form it can be described as clock watching.

I can’t help it, I have to watch almost every second pass, make sure I didn’t miss any.  It’s ridiculous.

It’s also not what you think.  Unless of course you too have “tempo” runs every other Wednesday.

Let me explain.   In my running schedule Wednesdays are on a rotating schedule.  This week it’s “tempo,” next week it will be (insert # here) repetitions of 400 meter pace running.  Sounds exciting, I know.

Anyways, a tempo run is pretty much what it sounds like.  You vary your pace for given time intervals during the run.  Today I chose to divide my 40 minute tempo run into 15-10-15.

In theory this would mean I’d go my standard pace for the first and last 15 minutes of the run, and push myself during the middle ten.

In reality I have one speed and it’s forward.  Yes, I can push myself to go faster, but my control of my pace cannot be controlled.

Therefore, I become a clock watcher.  You know those runners who look down at their wrist as you pass them.

That’s me, just praying that somehow ten minutes have passed in the last ten feet (I have my slow days).

This right here is the answer to that question that I’ve been asked many times, “Why don’t you wear a watch when you run?”  It’s for the health of my neck.

Coincidentally, that’s also one of the reasons why I don’t run with an Ipod…but that’s another story for another day and another blog.

…bi-daily smile…

a couple of lessons in rhythm…and the lack thereof