800 Repeats and Becoming a Core Whore

This morning's Gazelle workout was 8 x 800m repeats at Austin High Track. Most of us have heard of the Yasso 800 Repeats, which state that you should run your 800s in your allotted marathon goal time. So, to reach my goal of a 3:20 marathon, I need to be doing each repeat around 3min 20 sec each, with 2 min rest in between.

My legs always seem to have some degree of fatigue these days. Ummm...duh...I raced Sunday, ran 7 miles Monday morning and did core Monday night, swam and did the T3 indoor cycling class on Tuesday and it's already Wednesday and time for a speed session.

Because Chatty Carrie was in full effect this morning, I completely missed my group's start on the first repeat. I was just gabbing away with Jan when I suddenly realized that my pace group was halfway around the track. So much for a warm-up lap!! Aside from a few weak moments on the 6th and 7th repeats, all felt strong and smooth. I'd say I was working on an 8.5 scale out of 10 (full on effort). I don't wear a HR monitor so I have no idea how truly close to death I was :-)

The coolest part of this workout is hearing the cheers, clapping and shouts of encouragement from the other Gazelle pace groups that are out there. We all might run different speeds, but we're all there for the same reason--to get faster and to cheer and support each other as teammates. I love it!!

#1 3:16

#2 3:17

#3 3:22

#4 3:18

#5 3:21

#6 3:15

#7 3:16

#8 3:06 (droppin' the bomb at a 6:12 pace!)

Right on target so far in mid-July!

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Many of you have also heard me talk about Jack and Adam's "Corture" class for a long time now. Corture is not the official name for it. It's the name I gave to it...torture for the core. I'm just sayin'. Well, I think I'm turning into a Corture Pimp because I've recruited two new suckers--oops, I mean--athletes to join me tonight. First is new Austin transplant Little Miss Runner Pants. I'm going to go ahead and apologize to her in advance if she never wants to be friends with me after tonight. The other person I've recruited is my co-worker Matt. Dude has dropped about 45 lbs in the last three months!! Damn him!!! How do guys do it?!?!!? I've already laid bets that he'll be doing his first triathlon by next summer. I'm slowly but surely sucking the resistance out of him. Actually, it's been great to witness his energy and self-esteem since losing the weight. He's excited about going to the gym and doesn't eat chocolate bars for lunch anymore. He also no longer blatantly ignores me when I talk incessantly about my training and racing. Progress my friends...progress, I tell ya!!

Oh--on a completely non-tri note (sorta), we've had a kitty coming to visit us on our back deck lately. I think our cat Brutus has a crush because he'll just sit on the couch and look outside waiting for the little gray kitty to show up. We named the little kitty "Tri" because...well...duh. Actually, he's missing half of one of his paws so we named him "Tripod" or "Tri" for short. Are we awful or what?! Well, the last few days I've been opening the deck door and Tri walks right in the house like he owns the place. I caught him today putting on a show for Brutus. Brutus was not pleased as you can tell by his face. I think I shot this photo right before the big HISS!

Just had to share the pic! Happiness...