So, I got an interesting request yesterday...A neighbor of mine who is heavily involved with the Presidential Fitness program at our neighborhood elementary school (Park Lane Elementary) called me and told me the kids would be doing their mile run Wednesday morning (today). She knew I was a runner and wanted to see if I'd be willing to pace the kids. Specifically, she wanted me to pace her 9-year old daughter (Lauren; who's a rockstar biker/runner for her age) to a sub-7:20 mile and thereby break the school record. I, of course, obliged:
The warm-up:
60 minutes on the treadmill. Felt good/energetic after having had an easy day yesterday:
5 minutes @ 9.5 mph, flat
5 mins @ 10.0, flat
10 mins @ 10.5, flat
25 mins @ 11.0, flat
15 mins @ 11.5, flat
I basically rotate between two pairs of shoes for my treadmill runs: Mizuno Precision 12s, and Adidas Aegis 2s. Similar shoes. I like both of them, but I've noticed the Aegis seem to serve me better when running faster paces. They're just more zippy.
The race:
Went straight from the gym to the elementary school. The track where the kids would be running is painted on the asphalt in back of the school. You have to go around 10 times for a mile. Lauren's mom had the splits that I'd need to run all written down on paper (average 44 seconds a lap)....Wow! Talk about a committed parent! We started the run and Lauren and a few other took off pretty fast. The others faded fast, but by the second lap I was thinking to myself she doesn't me to pace her. I stayed right on the 7:20 pace and Lauren's father, who was also there, called out my splits to me each lap (eventhough my Garmin was doing the job just fine). By the beginning of the 7th lap I caught her. She was working pretty hard and I was worried she might not be able to hang. But she stayed shoulder-to-shoulder with me. Then, with about a half a lap to go, she sped-up for the finish and crossed the line in around 7:11 or thereabouts, successfully smashing the school record for her age/gender. Terrific job Lauren! Thanks to you and your folks for allowing me to be part of your great accomplishment! | 