Mile attempt #9

As I was going to bed last night, I was thinking about what I'd like my splits to look like for this morning's attempt. I was planning to run under 5:10, three seconds faster than last time, so I was manipulating the split times in my mind to try to figure out the ideal strategy. I always start out faster than I should, so I was hoping to run the lap in about 1:17. That should allow me to run the second lap in about the same time. I could then allow myself to slow down a second or two for the third lap, and then finish strong with a split of about 1:14. So, when I got up this morning, I was excited to get out to the track and give it a shot.

Remember how I said I always start out to fast? Well, that didn't change today. I ran the first lap in 1:14. I was pretty frustrated with myself because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep that pace up, and had to slow down. Although the second lap was quite a bit slower (1:21), I was only a second off of where I wanted to be at the half. Unfortunately, I was probably a lot more tired that I would have been if I had kept a more even pace, and I did the third lap in 1:22. I'm discovering that I have a decent kick because over my last several attempts, I have been able to consistently, increase the pace. My final split was 1:13. I was definitely pleased that, as fast as the first lap was, my last lap was faster.

So, what do you get when you add up those splits? A new PR, that's what! Final time... 5:10. Exactly what I was aiming for today. Even though I wasn't able to follow my "ideal strategy," I was still able to obtain the desired result.

Stay tuned for attempt #10.