800m Intervals
800m intervals are more than twice as hard as 400m intervals. I did these on the treadmill at a 6:40 pace which, before Tuesday, was my 400m speed. Probably for that very reason, I could only do five of them - on the last one, my breathing was no longer very controlled, which is my signal to call it a day. Two minute rest between each one, a half mile warmup, and a full mile cooldown, both of those at a 9:00 pace.
The good news is that 6:40 is beginning to feel - dare I say it - comfortable. At least for the first 1/4 mile of each set.
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Sep 16th 2004
11:05 PM
“Comfortable” means it’s time to step into a new comfort/discomfort zone. ;)
Sep 17th 2004
8:09 AM
First - don’t you start!
Second - hey, I just took those 400s down to 6:00… and believe me, after five of the 800s, I was certainly in my discomfort zone. Especially wearing all black in a nice, hot hotel gym.
:-)
Sep 17th 2004
10:02 AM
hmmm…I thought I was sounding rather Richard-ish? ;)
It was a really good job bud. Keep it up. :)
Sep 17th 2004
11:12 AM
Oh, you were. And I’m fair game! But … doesn’t that mean that you’re becoming Aaron?
Sep 17th 2004
4:14 PM
Truth be told, I’m just not that quick-witted to be like Aaron. Blogging is good though because I can take a day or two ;) to think of a witty response. Aaron (and I suspect you) can whip off a smart-alec remark or one-liner in a heartbeat! I must say that it’s an amazing talent I wish I possessed.
Still, I do have my moments ONCE in a while!
Sep 17th 2004
7:39 PM
He’s got a point though. Maybe it’s time to see if you can go longer or faster. 6:20? Half mile of each set?
Sep 21st 2004
3:48 PM
Thanks, TacoJohn. I was actually planning on this - bearing in mind that 6:20 is my *400m* interval pace - for my sixth and final repetition. The fact that my breathing got a little out of control (by no means dangerous, just proving that I had moved into anerobic territory) at the end of the fifth meant that I cut it out. I’m not sure that I could have completed it, to be honest. Still, hopefully I’ll be able to try it out next time.