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Fastest Hurdle Workout EVER!

April 19, 2010 (Night)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: Cool and refeshing

Comments:
Drove down to Duke Ellington track after practice to try a workout my college coach, Pete, has recommended. Started by jogging out Resevior to warm up for two miles (all my workouts in college seemed to start with a 2 mile warm-up). Soon discovered that beautiful cliff-edge trail that overlooks the river and towpath along Potomac Ave. I had no idea it was there and now I'm completely in love with that view. Turned back after 2 miles and a did a brisk 12-minute tempo along Reservoir back to Georgetown. After an 8-minute recovery, during which I set up the hurdles in lane 3, I jumped into a swift 1200m w/ 5 hurdles per lap, just like the steeple chase. Hit 78, 80, 77 for a total of 3:56, a stunning 7 seconds faster than I'd set as my goal. After a 3-minute recovery, during which I tossed my shirt aside (for psychological reasons, of course), I shot out into a 400m over hurdles all out, wizzing around the track in 70 seconds. Now comes the hard part, I said to myself. I've got to do that one more time. I threw off my training shoes and put on my "slippers" as I call them - that is, my racing flats that always make me feel really confident. With some trepidation, I toed the line and shot off. Somewhere along the first curve, I heard a police siran squealing a few blocks away and I remember thinking to myself "damn I must be fast to the police's attention). I raced around the track at top speed, losing a bit of focus in the final 150m, but then regaining it on the home stretch. Clipped the final hurdle with my lead leg, but finished okay. I looked at my watch. 1:06. Oh no! I thought, my dazed confusion. six seconds too slow! Then the math sunk in. No, that's actually 4 freaking seconds faster than last time, your high school flat 400 PR no less, easily the fastest you've ever run hurdles in a workout. I was thrilled. Jogged a mile cooling down in my racing flats, staring at the stars overhead and thanking the world for this awesome pursuit called track.