Make or Break, Level II

Start Time: 6/3/08, 7:00am
Location: Arlington Boulevard Trail
Distance: 2 miles & 6 miles
Average Pace: 10:17min/mile & 8:18min/mile
Total Miles For June: 14 miles

Today’s schedule offered some variety in terms of “Make or Break” runs. Up until now it’s just been 2x2miles, but in addition to opening up another “Level I” workout (3x2miles), other options were from the Level II workouts (2x3miles and 3x3miles). I decided it was time to belly up to the plate and try one of the tougher-looking ones, so 2x3miles was the winner. Because I was going to run on the Arlington Boulevard Trail, I decided the best option was to make both sets the same route. So mile 1 would be running west and uphill, mile 2 is east and downhill, and then mile 3 is half of each. (I’d turn around halfway and head back early.)

Round 1 wasn’t too bad — I knew the first mile would be the toughest (especially that final quarter mile climb) and I was a little bit tired at the end, but ultimately a victory (8:30, 7:50, 8:07). I stretched a little bit, decided it was enough recovery time, and headed back out. OOF. I didn’t feel like I had lost too much ground at first, but that sure caught up with me by the end. (8:41, 8:08, 8:30) Clearly I will need to work on this a bit!

Then again, when I did this workout last week (only just at 2x2mi) my average was 8:14min/mile, and this was 8:18… so, not too bad, I guess.