Training Log - Thursday, July 8, 2010

Another first for me today. Richard and I decided to do today's workout during our lunch break. The 100 mile training schedule called for a 5 mile speed walk. I had never done that before and I really didn't care to either. However, I believe there is something to be said about following the advise of someone with lots of ultra running experience...especially when I'm NOT experienced at all. So I chose to stick to the plan and today called for a walk. However, just because it's called a walk doesn't mean you're not getting a workout. In addition to high levels of humidity we also experienced the hottest day of the year so far, getting close to 100 degrees. We also had to try to obtain an average pace between 12 and 13 minutes per mile, no small feat in my opinion when you're not used to walking at all, let alone speed walking. Richard and I realized quickly that the comments in the training schedule were absolutely true, you use completely different muscle groups when walking compared to running. After about the first mile, we finally were able to get our pace to under 13 minutes. By the end of the walk, we actually averaged around low 12 minute miles. We finished the distance in just over an hour. Not too bad for first time walkers. However, I did hear comments like "mall walker" inside my head. Well, maybe it was my fiancee uttering these words while laughing in my face;-) Hey, at the end of the day I realize that there will be plenty of walking involved in my first 100 miler and why wouldn't I practice to do it and to do it as fast as I can to minimize the time wasted on a slow pace during the race.