Illusive Goal 4 Minute Km (6:44 min mile)

Like Wile E. CoyoteI have my prey.  My illusive goal is an under 40 minute 10 k.  This requires a sub 4 minute km (6:44 minutes per mile).  Some are able to do it better quicker, easier than others.  Yesterday, I went on a 10 k and attempted a sub 4 minute km.  I DID IT!  Second km in, I booted it.  Exactly 4:00 minute km on my Garmin.  Then, I not only bonked, but my time was slower than my last run at almost 47:00!  Not good.

Now I am much like Wile E Coyote, I am a fool in my own genius way.  I did not eat breakfast for example.  I also HATE speed training, which is a part of the task I must face.  Can I do it for April when our local 10 k race comes to the Wine Capital of Canada?
Could it be that like my father before me, these buttocks have disappeared thus giving me little meat to charge forward in?  Do I need a boost of some sort, like a rocket or Marty McFly's futuristic shoes?  Or do I need to do intervals, hill repeats and fartleks, the BAIN of my existance, without getting injured...

Or will I hear that sound that makes the coyote cringe with self loathing, the sound my brain makes when my friend Jeremy Cook passes me just as we enter the last stretch of the race, hand out grasping for the glory.... MEEP.  MEEP.  How I hate that bird and love him with the same breath.  MEEP MEEP indeed.
Stay tuned...

New PR!

It just felt right.You ever had one of those days.  The sun was out, the temp was warmer and I knew if I went and applied myself I could make a PR.

New PR:

5 Km : 19:49
10 km : 41:02

This brings me so much closer to realizing my goal of a sub 40 10k.  I felt pretty tired just before the 5 km mark, but I pressed through and let up a bit adding over a minute to my second split time.  But that being said, I still rocked my previous bests.

Taper Tantrums

First time I have been to a sports massage therapist, and it was totally enlightening.  I had to get past the nudity under the blanket, but that was quickly overcome.  I was feeling anxious about my tight piriformis, and its effect on the coming race, so this is what most of the conversation included.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear that most people in training just before the race go through some breakdown.  The therapist calls it Taper Tantrums!  Taper Tantrums refer to the visits frequented by those preparing to race in long races, and because of the intensity peaking just before the race, the body kind of goes into shock, preparing to mend and heal based on the fact that there was breakdown for a long period.  Rest now and recovery is paramount to a good performance.  If the work has been put in, then the race just needs the focus and trust put in as we rest.  Thissettled me, and i was given a clean bill of cautious health for the coming weeks.