Working the Splits

This semester, I volunteered to participate in a study that researches the effects of sports drink supplements on endurance athletic events. In my case, I do a series of four 12-mile runs around a 1k track in Alcoa. I drink 4oz of a supplement every four laps, or 2.5 miles. The first 17 laps are done at a medium pace, and the last two laps are at a maximum effort.

Run 1 // 1:29:44
Run 2 // 1:30:08

•  Splits (0.63 miles) // 4:30, 4:30, 4:37, 4:39, 4:54 (drink), 4:44, 4:40, 4:42, 4:57 (drink), 4:48, 4:44, 4:48, 6:05 (drink, tie shoes), 4:51, 4:47, 4:50, 5:07 (drink), 3:47, 4:01

Run 3 // 1:26:20

• Splits (0.63 miles) // 4:31, 4:39, 4:22, 4:31, 4:41 (drink), 4:36, 4:40, 4:36, 4:53 (drink), 4:34, 4:37, 4:36, 4:44 (drink), 4:34, 4:39, 4:37. 5:00 (drink), 3:37, 3:42
• Note: I ran faster, but my average heart rate was lower. Perhaps I controlled my body temperature better. Last week I didn't feel great anyway, but both my max effort laps were faster than even my first one.

Just one more one run, this Sunday (weather permitting). It's been real, but I'm ready to not run practically a half-marathon every week.