View Workout (Matthew Simonson)

Return to Log

Ft. Reheato

October 1, 2019 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
This one was a scorcher. Originally we had agreed on the ride home for the Rock the Creek Relay on Sunday to do one workout this week, a downward ladder consisting of 1600-1200-800-400-surprise (ranging from 400-1600) with a lap recovery between each. However, upon reading Arthur's log this morning where he noted it was supposed to be really hot Wednesday, I alerted the other coaches to this fact and we ultimately decided to do it today but at Ft. Reno on the grass since we didn't have AU reserved. I think we did the best we could given the forcasts, but the compromise was not pretty. Though Ethan and I attempted to measure out a 400m loop that maximized shade, at least half the course was in the sun and the 85-degree heat and humidity were downright oppressive. Running on grass over some root and sloping terrain with rolling hills added just enough spice to make for an inedible concoction. (If you like really spicy food, this metaphor will presumably be lost on you, sorry). Still, many of you faced this demonic workout quite admirably.

I, however, did not. I started out with Oliver and Corbin who wanted to go 5:45 for their mile, or 86 seconds a lap. We came through what I think was approximately the 200m in 42, but I was unsure if this was accurate given how Lauren, Ethan, and I kept tweaking the course to get the measurements right (Mark, I don't know how you do it so well. Teach us!) I felt like it was too fast, but the next three laps ended up being two slow, even with me running out in front and trying to pull the boys along in what felt like an unsustainably fast pace. We finished in 5:53 with me giving a close to all-out effort on the last lap just to finish it. On the next one, I dropped back to pace Leo and Siff at about 95 seconds per lap (6:21 mile) and this too felt unsustainably hard. I suppose if I'd been in the mentality of doing the workout for my own benefit rather than coaching it I could have kept it up, but I finished beat and gasping. I then paced Camilla for two laps, Nathaniel for once lap, both of which were manageable pace-wise, but given what I'd just been through I could, easily imagine how they were feeling. Joining in with the bridges on the 800 and 400m lifted my spirits, however. I set out to pace Lucy "Girl Scout" Vogt (welcome to running-log, Lucy!) and somehow convinced her to pick up the pack and lead the group halfway through her 800m in spite of the heat. Dora came with her as did Weizner and I think Shai, which made for quite a powerhouse combination. Running with them and seeing them push each was super inspiring and I stopped feeling sorry for myself and everyone else and began to get excited again. In between the 8 and 4 I think I jumped in with Smurph, but I'm getting everything mixed up now. I also ran another pickup with Nathaniel somehow-his 400m I believe. And then I ran a bonus 400 with AnSo and bunch of others. Its all blur for me now. But it ended on a high note. And a hot one. Ethan and I hitched a ride back with Anthony cause we're tired doggies who don't want to walk any farther.

In retrospect, I wish I'd kept up a more positive attitude for myself and tried to spread it to the athletes, rather than simply saying words of encouragement. Sometimes in terrible conditions, the best remedy is just to laugh. "Come on hot weather, is that the best you can do!? Omg, another freakin hill? Of course, there's another hill! Can we have some more roots and stumps, please? What a ridiculous crazy workout!" That sort of attitude, I find, is the best antidote to the things beyond my control.