I’m loving the discussion from this morning’s post about the skinny fat phenomenon!
The nasty winter weather is making a comeback today, so I made sure to get a run in before it was too miserable. The timing was perfect- the rain picked up on my way to the park, then eased off enough so I didn’t get completed soaked on my run, then picked up again on the way home. I’m absolutely frozen to the bone right now though!
Today was my first attempt at a tempo run. Tempo runs teach your body how to run at a faster pace for a longer period of time. A tempo run is to speed what a long run is to endurance. Apparently the tempo run is a super important part of increasing your speed when training for a half or full marathon. Who knew?! There’s a good article talking about how to do tempo runs over at Runner’s World.
Technically a tempo run for half marathon training should be longer, but since it was my first attempt I kept it short- 1.6 miles. (Random number because that’s the length of one of the park loops- therefore easier for this technology-lacking runner to measure)
I still need a little work figuring out the whole tempo run thing- I ran the first 1.85 miles at a 9:23 pace, then did the 1.6 miles of tempo at 9:20, then the last 1.6 in 10:40. I’m still pleased overall because that meant I sustained about 9:43, which I still felt was good. Apparently I thoroughly tired myself out though and ended so slow!
Even though I avoided most of the “wintery mix” coming down today, I came home absolutely freezing cold. I had sushi waiting for me for lunch, but I had to start with something warm.
I opted for some yummy V8 tomato soup. I love V8’s soups- I might venture to say they’re my favorite store-bought soup- packed with veggies! They almost taste homemade 
Then I dug into the sushi. I get the seaside combo since it’s the only one that doesn’t have cucumber in it. Cucumber = blech!
I’m spreading out the sushi goodness and having half now and half with dinner. Unless I cave and go finish the rest right now
I wonder if I still have to ice since I feel like a giant ice cube right now anyways… haha
{ 12 comments… read them below or chime in }
When I was training for my half-marathon, I got so confused by the whole tempo run thing! I finally gave up on it and just practiced my regular runs with a little speed thrown in there every other run or so. Very professional
How can you not like cucumber? Haha! I LOVE cucumber!
Tempo runs are something I really need to get into. I’m training for a 10k and now that I feel pretty comfortable with the distance I want to start working on speed. Thanks for the link to the article!
Chloe
ewww. I tried really hard to like it but I just can’t do it :/
great job on the tempo run. those suckers are pretty tricky!
It’s so difficult for me to find a pace that is comfortable for X miles. I just like running! My Garmin has made it a lot easier to keep track of whether or not I’m doing “tempo” or “recovery” pace though.
ahh, the tempo run. i am totally un-scientific about my running but am trying to get better. my version of tempo is catching speedy runner dudes in the park. good times.
Congrats on the tempo run
And the new blog design looks fantastic!!!!
I usually end up doing tempo runs on the treadmill because it takes the guess work out of my pace!
sounds like the tempo run went great! I need to look into that. Right now I’m running 12 minute miles. I’d love to be able to do a 10 min mile!
Tempo runs can be confusing but it sounds you did a good one! Keep up the good work!
I almost always rely on the treadmil for tempo runs- much easier!
Cucumber = yummy. Sushi = bluck
Nice popsicle run!