Runners tend to stick to a typical routine, I know I’m guilty of it often. In order to mix up this week’s normal running routine, I joined the November Project SF tribe for a “Track Tuesday” workout in San Francisco. Sure, I’ve been to NP workouts in the past, but this was going to be my first time running with the speedsters around the Kezar track.
Here was the workout:
400 = one lap
- 800 warmup
- 1200, 800, 400
- 4×400 relay
- 400 cooldown
- abs
The workout started at 6 am, and doing speed work that early (for me) is intense, but I know that I need to work on getting faster — driving out to the city through 5 am commuter’s traffic will hold you accountable. I had my watch on the entire time, but I wasn’t looking at it for pace. I was just running by feel and putting in the effort. Looking back at the splits, I was floating anywhere from mid-7 minute miles to low 6-minute miles. Obviously, I could go a bit faster on the 400 laps. All in all, I logged a total of 4.6 miles of speed work which is definitely MORE than I would have logged on my own.
The 4×400 relay was fun. We partnered up and ran a lap (400) then tagged our partner, mine was Tantek — here is his recap — we then repeated until we had each run 4 laps. Tantek is a really cool guy, he always has a smile on his face and just has a passion for running and the NP lifestyle. A lot of the NP tribe has that same energy level and it is a great community of passionate athletes.
Post-run group hug!
November Project workouts are always FREE and happen in select cities.
Time to run some more?
I was beat after the track workout, but before the day started I had mentally committed to doing some MORE running after the workout. I flirted with the idea of doing a glamorous run out to the Golden Gate Bridge and snapping photos and running 20+ miles… I even packed my hydration pack and fuel. Yes, I often have big dreams. But the track workout took more of a toll than I had anticipated and I realized that if I went out too far, I might end up fading and walking more than running. I was looking for quality, rather than quantity.
I settled for an out-and-back route through Golden Gate Park and along Great Highway. I was familiar with the route and knew it was a manageable one that I could run. I went with a run/walk routine (run a mile, walk a minute) and stayed in the mid-8 minute range (while running) for the first 7 miles. I started to fade at that point, but finished up the 10 mile run with a feeling of accomplishment.
With almost 15 miles logged, I knew that it was a workout that just wouldn’t have happened had I not woken up that morning and made the drive. At best, I probably would have managed a 10-12 mile run closer to home, but it wouldn’t have been the same quality miles and there wouldn’t have been speed work involved. Sometimes we have to mix up the scenery and find other runners to push us. Running is often thought of as a solo sport, but sometimes the best runs are done with friends.
Do you have an active running community that you can train with?
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Don’t you just love running with November Project! I’m a member of the tribe here in Boston and I swear it just makes running easier to be with them for a workout!
Sounds like you had a great morning! I always get better runs in when I get up and go first thing in the morning, so I’ve sorta trained that into my schedule. I don’t have a group to run with where I’m at, which I think is both good and bad. Running alone I can make sure I keep at the right pace (no going too fast or too slow to stay with the pack), but I think having some accountability would be great.
NP sounds so amazing. I wish they were active here.
Speed work at 6? Try 5! Sometimes I’m ready to run (literally) and others it takes some time for the legs to wake up. I’ve gotten a few 10 milers in before 7 a.m. And it’s always been with a little help from my friends!
Love that your NP does track work! I love doing track and the only way to go is with friends.
Josh and I have run a few times in the early morning and I really like it. Maybe it’s because I’m not a morning person so enjoying something that early is really unusual for me. It’s also nice to just have different running scenery, see the world in a different way, and get my workout done before the day even really starts!
Great job with the change of scenery and shaking up your run with speedwork! I don’t like speedwork… but it is SO much more fun with friends! :) Way to go!
I LOVE speedwork with friends! They really help me get moving and push harder than I would on my own. My hubby is the one I run most often with if I run with others, but we do sometimes meet up with a group that gets together on Saturdays. Thanks for the link to NP!!!! I had no idea we had one in Milwaukee (ok… I have been meaning to look), so stoked!
We have a group down in San Diego, and I’ve been wanting to go…but I wouldn’t make it home in time for my hubs to get to work :( Nice job on your run though!!! I tried to start a local chapter of Moms Run This Town, to try to get some group runs together. Most of the time, I run by myself, which I don’t mind; however, I’m finally starting to convince…I mean, encourage others to run with me ;)
Yes, change of scenery can definitely do you some good! Love hearing about NP workouts all over the place. I need to get to one in NYC soon!