This morning I extended my distance for my long run from 4 miles to 5 miles. I ran for an hour (12:00 pace) on the treadmill at the gym.
It was an exercise in self control because I kept having the urge to turn the pace up. But since I was going further than ever, I resisted to ensure that I'd still be in it at the end. Likely I would have been just fine with some mild increases in pace to keep things interesting, and probably would have shaved a few minutes off my overall time.
It's interesting to me to people watch while I'm on the treadmill--I like to keep tabs on those around me. Don't get me wrong, I will definitely whip out the stinkeye if someone boards the treadmill directly next to me when there's many other open options (drives me nuts!), but I do find it interesting to observe other people.
It's like a little micro-community that forms, then dissolves, then reforms as time passes by. Being on the treadmill for much longer than 30 minutes grants a perfect view of this. It can be rather interesting because when you pass by, it can be impressive to see the guy that's pounding along at hefty pace decked out in all his workout gear.
I've been intimidated by that guy several times in the past.
But when you start spending time on the treadmill you discover "superman" only does a mile and done. I'm not faulting anyone for the distance they put in, but rather I find him a lot less intimidating knowing that long after he's stepped off I'll still be running.
In fact it gives me a pretty good boost (and a small sense of pride) when I'm running, and somebody shows up, puts in their workout and finishes, leaving me still running.
People are funny.
Like this morning, there was a woman on a treadmill in front of me and to the left a bit. She just really didn't want to be there. She started her treadmill, then stopped about 30 seconds later to fiddle with her headphones. Restarted, only to stop to meticulously arrange her towel to cover the display. Restart, then stop to adjust her shoes. Restart, towel falls off. Restart, headphones again. Restart, then bathroom/water break. I wonder if she's under the impression that she's putting in a workout?
I wonder what people see when they look at me?
I wonder if I look as fat and awkward as I feel sometimes. I hope that I'm earning at least a little bit of "street cred" when they see someone my size putting in the work to get it done. Likely I'm far less conspicuous than I feel.
Either way, I'm not stopping.
So this taper week. Is there such a thing as a taper for a "just want to finish" 5k?
My plan is to take tomorrow off (because I work). Then some sort of average workout on Monday--maybe a moderately paced 2.5 miles? Then I work again Tuesday and Wednesday so I'll take those days off too, though I would normally put in at least one late night run. Thursday I have an intervals workout planned--likely I'll do a repeat of yesterday's run alternating 1/4 mile intervals. Then a rest day on Friday (maybe a short, light, easy run??) Then race day on Saturday!!
Does that sound like an appropriate taper? Please someone more experienced leave me a comment...
Getting a bit nervous.
