Daily Archives: August 2, 2019

A moment to reflect :-)

Training

August 1, Thursday

 

Long time a child, and still a child, when years

Long time a child, and still a child, when years
Had painted manhood on my cheek, was I,—
For yet I lived like one not born to die;
A thriftless prodigal of smiles and tears,
No hope I needed, and I knew no fears.
But sleep, though sweet, is only sleep, and waking,
I waked to sleep no more, at once o’ertaking
The vanguard of my age, with all arrears
Of duty on my back. Nor child, nor man,
Nor youth, nor sage, I find my head is grey,
For I have lost the race I never ran:
A rathe December blights my lagging May;
And still I am a child, tho’ I be old,
Time is my debtor for my years untold.

 

Tonight I watched three college runners break the 4:00 mark in an exciting mile at Monmouth University.  My own mile effort was not as impressive.  (7:13)

My goal was to run close to 6:30 for that mile. I’m not sure if I am really in that condition right now. But I thought it was possible. I was in the heat with 24 people all of whom had seed times in the 6 minute to 7 Minute range.  I was the seventh seed in the race. My plan was to run under 3:15 for the first half and hope that I had some juice left to make a run at that 6:30 Mark in the second half. At the start of the race I was pretty stunned and taken back by the quick pace at which everyone began. I had assumed I could run with the top 7 or eight runners, but I was mired in the back of the pack.  I was confused. Was I running so slowly that 20 people out of 24 were beating me? As it turned out, at the 400m and 800m marks I was right on schedule with 1:34 & 3:14.  But after that it felt like I actually stopped trying. I don’t know if it was because I was just getting tired and had nothing left, or did I approached the Black Box and just back off?  So, I went on cruise control and ended up running 4:00 for the second half.  I was most disheartened by my lack of toughness in that effort. Then I watched those elegant college guys banging in that Monmouth Mile and had to be contented with the realization that I am now 76 years old and can still run 7:13.

A fortunate guy who still has to work on toughness!  :-):-)

STEADY STATS