Back to Last week's walk...

For those of you reading who know something about running and walking and endurance events, you also know about negative splits. I, being new to all this, just heard about them recently. The basic bottom line is that you get faster as a long run/event goes on rather than slower. For example if you are doing a 20 K race, your first 5K would be the slowest and your last would be the fastest. This expression negative splits keeps coming up. First, my cousin told me she did them. I was ready to say I was sorry and encourage her to keep running, but to take care of herself because negative didn't sound good and for a 39 year old to be doing any kind of splits, I was certain she needed ice and to rest her overstretched legs. She was elated though, so I learned a bit about them. Next, I walked with someone from WI. She had a Team For Kids shirt and on the back it read, "I did my fastest 10K 20 miles into the marathon." She went on to explain that her coach had them all start out each walk/run easy and push harder and harder as they went on. This totally intrigued me since I was certain that the last 6.2 miles of the marathon would be by far my slowest. I wasn't upset about it, it just seemed obvious to me, you are exhausted, have walked 20 miles, it is early evening, you are hungry, what else would you expect? Then, I went to check out my friend Jenni's blog and her latest entry was entitled Negative Splits. I decided that 3 totally different people talking about them in that short a time was a clear sign, and I needed to get in action around this.

Well, then I did my 16 miles (okay, I admit I am rounding up from 15.59). After that I was quite certain negative splits were some crazy person's idea and were not attainable for this Brooklynite. Then, my next long walk came, and I decided to really take it on. I would push for the first of my 3 laps (3.35 miles), but I would push harder for the second and third. Well, by george, I did it! I had negative splits. I cannot even believe it, but I did. And, somehow I actually felt good at the end! I was happy. Now, my time is still slower than I would like, but heck, I did it.
Times (Each lap was 3.35 miles):
Lap 1 - 65 minutes (19.4 minutes/mile)
Lap 2 - 57.5 minutes (17.16 minutes/mile)
Lap 3 - 56.5 minutes (16.87 minutes/mile)

Since I was so focussed on the lap times decreasing, I did all my pitstops between laps, so the bigger picture is: 202 minutes for 10.3 miles or 19.61 minutes/mile or 3.06 MPH.
Last week was: 315 minutes for 15.59 miles or 20.21 minutes/mile or 2.97 MPH.
So an improvement, but still not the times I want. The last lap was close though. I am hoping that some walks this weekend with KC, a TFK member and Anne, a friend and walking buddy will help speed me up since they are both faster than I am.

I have never thought so much about the Little Engine that Could until I embarked on this journey. I can't tell you how often I hear myself saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...."

Keep your eyes out for posts on how I am touched by the incredible support I have gotten and how I know I am a nut.