Into the Mist

Into the Mist

20 Runners parted the mist at an alternate Swift site on Tuesday, July 25th.  The goal was to repeat a workout performed twice so far over the last couple of months, but this time get some precision and predictability.  Pretty sure all were successful, and we had no head on collisions on a crowded track for the morning.

The THANG:

• Read the PreBlast at https://f3southcharlotte.com/2017/07/24/preblast-measure-yourself-more-exactly/
• Disclaimer in the parking lot
• Run the warm-up as a Preview of the course on the cones that followed cones marking Start, flashing cones marking Stop, and other cones marking turnaround for the recovery.
• Run Odd Interval in Lane 1 going normal direction.  Recover 200m in Lane 3/4.  Start next 800m in Lane 5 going opposite direction.  Recover 200m in Lane 3/4.
• If you see other runners arriving at the track, let them know that Lanes 1/2 are normal direction, runners will be jogging in 3/4 both directions, and Lanes 5/6 will have running in the backwards direction.
• Don’t start another interval after 0610.
• Meet in the parking lot at 0615 for COT

The Moleskin:

• PAX accomplished the goal of running 800m intervals on the track, but how consistently they were done is up to the individual.  Looking at results from Strava (must look at the Web version to see manual Laps), several PAX actually got faster as the intervals accumulated: Gumbo (dropped 10+ seconds from 1st 3 to the last 3), FireHazard (dropped about 5 seconds), OneNiner (dropped about 4 seconds).
• What everyone had to deal with the same was the ever-present humidity.  Weather reports had us at 73 degrees, 94% Humidity, and a 3mph breeze.  As we rolled around to the starting line around 0530, the fog / mist was getting so thick that you could actually taste it.  At times, it was hard to see the other side of the track or around the corner.  The slight 3mph breeze on one (short) segment on the track was welcomed, but the rest of the air felt dead and heavy as you tried to breathe it in.  Thankfully, all PAX followed the directions about direction and start/stop, so there wasn’t anyone running into each other.
• Many PAX got in 8 intervals based on posting their workout results or YHC recalling who was there in some packs: Frasier, Haggis, Gumbo, Woodson, DepthCharge.  Not sure about Rebar because he doesn’t post his workouts, but he was looking pretty strong out there.
• One thing to try to follow is YHC’s suggestion of running with another PAX.  Even if it just means starting an interval together, so you may have to drop back to recover with someone slightly slower, or have to shorten recovery and move up to catch someone faster, it helps to push you.  If about the same speed, it allows you to take turns leading the interval to get an idea for pacing, to help you workout the mental difficulty of following, or be pulled along when you don’t think you can keep up anymore.  Just to have someone suffering with you is much better than suffering by yourself.  #ISI
• At COT, only 3 PAX raised their hands that they were NOT participating in the Blue Ridge Relay.  Someone needs to reach out to them ASAP to pick them up as a runner (not only as a driver).
• Thanks to Gumbo (voluntold) for taking us out.