Notes
8-10x1000m @2:55 down to 2:50 w/3' rest. Started off the first rep by pacing Maggie through 1k of her mile time trial (ended up running 4:42). I didn't feel too bad for that initial effort but I wasn't settled into any kind of pace. The weather started off at a nearly perfect 5-6 mph and 32 degrees. However, that was short-lived as every rep from that point ramped up until it was steadily 10-12 mph and nailed me every time I hit the backstretch. I tried to no overthink it and just focused on running a 35/70" pace. I was pretty close most of the time (69-70 through 400, 2:20-21 through 800) but I was not feeling smooth through halfway. 2:56.4, 2:56.0, 2:54.9, 2:57.3. I didn't think I could progress down to 2:50 but wanted to maintain 2:55-56 for as long as I could. I slipped my spikes on after #4 (got 4' rest there). 2:56.8, 2:56.6. I gradually felt a side stitch coming on through the back half of both of those reps but resolved to maintain good mechanics. #7 was where shit really hit the fan. The side stitch hit me hard at 500-600m as I was fighting my way through the wind and the last 400 felt like the right side of my abdominals were tearing away from my ribcage. I tried to rally from a 2:25 800 split and ran 3:00.6. I was certain I was done at that point as I bent over, struggling to get any air in. I walked my diagonal path across the infield and had to stop to brace for the pain more than once. I told Richey what was going on and he had me lay on the ground and proceeded to shove his thumb into the right end of my diaphragm (ended up taking a 5' rest between 7 and 8). I felt some immediate relief and he said to try one more rep. If it came back painfully, then I would just stop then and there. I embarked on that last rep expecting to feel the jolting pain at any moment but then it held off until the very very end and I was able to run my consistent 70/2:21 splits once more on the way to 2:56.9. I really wanted today to go well but it ended up being a reality check.