2:41

With hardly any mental prep and an on the whim decision to get this F*&(er over at lunch time last week I headed to the track with Salty and Daisy to find out just how fast I could run for two short laps on the track. I have some very ambitious (if not impossible) goals over the next four years and to get moving in that direction I need to start to get an inkling of an idea just what my max speed is. i.e. if I can't run "x" time for an 800, mile, 5k, etc. I won't be able to attempt "Y" time in a marathon type deal.

I know I am not going to magically hit these speed goals overnight so last Tuesday was my first attempt to just see where I was at. It was hot and I had just done a century ride two days before but I figured what the hell, lets just get it done and see what shakes out. Decided to do it at lunch so it wouldn't be looming over my head all day and Salty and Daisy were kind enough to come out and keep my splits and try to keep my speed up.

We did about 3 miles easy, I ran 1 mile by myself and then picked them up. I wasn't feeling extra speedy but I had my flats on and Daisy and I did 3 or 4*200 pick ups to get ready. Then we lined up in the 4th lane (this track is short so to be legit you have to run 4th lane). I headed out on my first lap, likely too fast since I haven't run an 800 all out since high school. I didn't look at the watch at all preferring not to know until I was done. First lap hurt as I picked up Daisy and we headed out for the second lap. She took the 3rd lane and I could tell she was holding back but I just couldn't respond with anymore than I was giving. The last straight away I gave it everything I had with Daisy and Salty hollering at me but I had no clue what they were saying. Finished up in 2:41, 5:22 pace.

It wasn't quite as fast as I was hoping for but it is faster than I thought I would do if that makes any sense. First quarter was about 78/79 which I usually can't do so I know I am getting nearer to where I want to be. It was fun (after I was done) to be out on the track with some of my gals testing my limits. Definitely got me fired up to get to work. I'd like to get this time down nearer to 2:30. I believe I ran a 2:34 in middle school and that was my fastest ever so I would like to crush that :) Baby steps towards the insane goals swimming in my head. Next step sub 20 at the xc meet on Tuesday ;)