The Great Funny/Viper Challenge
OK, I think I’ve done something stupid.
No, no, I haven’t hurt myself again. I was roaming the blogs yesterday and I came across this post by Viper. He mentioned his training for the Tallmadge Memorial 5k (being held, strangely enough, on Memorial Day) and how he planned to best his PR of 23:28. He has been building mileage, but feels he is currently shy of what he needs to set a new mark. He was looking to motivate himself.
So, naturally, I got the brilliant idea of helping out both Viper and me. I also run a 5k on Memorial Day each year, appropriately called the No Excuses 5k. So I challenged him to a virtual race and he accepted.
My advantages: My 5k PR is exactly one minute faster than his, and I ran my last 5k in 23:08.
His advantages: Viper has run two consecutive 20-mile weeks and will increase. I’ve run about 12 miles in the last six weeks, total. His track sessions are already sub-8-minute miles. He’s also about 20 years younger than I am.
It’s entirely a friendly competition, I’m a good loser, and it’s only for bragging rights, but I am devoted to exercising my bragging rights when I win them.
Anyway, I went out for my first post-challenge run this morning. I arrange my return from injury the same way each time. There is a 1.75-mile loop around my neighborhood that I run every other day until I can do it in under 14 minutes (8:00 pace). Once I’m able to do that, I upgrade to a 2.4-mile loop until I can run that sub-19:15.
This morning I ran a 14:18 (8:10 pace), which is much better than I have any right to expect, but my stamina is AWFUL. If I had to run a 5k tomorrow, I’d be very lucky to go sub-27.
So I’ve got three whole weeks to chop about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes off my 5k time. HA HA HA HA! Now that’s funny.
Wow, look at all those tags devoted to me!
You might be older, but you’re probably wiser.
You’re probably not experimenting with running without socks and getting a bunch of blisters in the process.
You probably won’t drink as heavily as I’m likely to the night before.
Good luck!
Probably wiser? I’m certain that Mike is wiser. I’ll be rooting for Mike, take the Viper down a peg.
You better schedule a training run AM & PM!
Good luck : )
As much as I’d like to see you beat Viper – don’t hurt yourself!
Ditto Joy’s comment. However, the other half of me just wants you to kick his ass no matter what the cost. Yes, I am rather bloodthirsty today. How could you tell?
Good luck, Obi Wan. ;)
How’d I guess you’d all root against me? No matter.
I unfortunately with the Viper, and I’ll root (virtually) for ya! good luck!
(maybe i’ll slip an extra LaBomb James into the Viper’s pre-run mix the day before- muhahaha)
whoops- meant to say that i went to high school with the Vipes. good luck on the memorial day run!