Today the count is 13

Pierini Fitness is within striking distance of the Wharf to Wharf, an upcoming 6-mile fun run and his day of performance reckoning is closing in on him.  Fun run race day is in 13 days on the last Sunday of July.  So, as might be expected, his training heretofore will concentrate on running and fun run preparation.

With a previously established goal of completing the 6 miles at a 9-minute mile pace, Pierini Fitness believes he’s in good shape.  Yet, all it takes is one hiccup – uncooperating legs, belly ache, weak mind, or a stubborn cardiovascular-respiratory system – on race day and he could miss his goal by running at a much slower pace.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter.  It’s all about showing up, taking a trip down memory lane, enjoying the running atmosphere and nice scenery along the way and, whatever it takes, finishing the course.  If necessary, walking counts.

The countdown preparation, starting today, consists of about a half-dozen running workouts.  His approach is getting in a combination of slower-paced and longer-distance running along with faster stuff like 800 meters, 400 meters and 200 meters repeats, and some 30 second acceleration strides for multiple rounds.  It’s all about building running pace familiarity and running efficiency. 

For example, if today’s workout goes according to plan, Pierini Fitness will run 4 miles at a slower pace (maybe 80 percent of the fun run race pace) and then conclude with a Sprint 8 speed workout which is 8 rounds of 30 seconds running fast with 90 seconds of a slow run recovery.  The fast run stuff should be at a mile pace of between 7:00 and 7:30. 

But a planned workout doesn’t always go according to plan so we shall see.  It’s supposed to be a July hot day in the low 90F degree range, so Pierini Fitness better get his running workout done early.

Blessed to be able to run with his 64-year-old “wheels, Pierini Fitness is counting down and today the count is 13.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum