Welcome to CPTC …

It had to happen some time.  Last night, it happened.  Step up or shut up.  Let’s walk thru it.

Even before I raced that 400 at Icahn a few weeks ago (starting to think I opened up giant can of worms with that 64), I had contemplated bumping up to the next level of CPTC groups for Tuesday track intervals.  My current group is solid and great peeps … they welcomed and pushed me.  However, with few exceptions I have not pushed myself like I should these last couple of months … no doubling over during recoveries or looking completely dazed at the conclusion of a session.  In a word, I was getting comfortable.  Nothing wrong with comfortable, but I’m thinking my mini racing plateau slump this summer has something to do with not killing myself in workouts.  No one has said anything.  The team continues to be as supportive and encouraging as ever.  Well, to a point …

A couple of guys on the club who have become very good friends … we’ll call them Alpha and Beast (representing their positions on the A and B teams, respectively).  They are comfortable enough with me to “call me out”.  Alpha is the more subtle of the two.  I don’t think he ever verbalized the need for me to jump groups, but he is so smooth with just the looks he gives me … as if to say, “Come on dude, I know what you are capable of … up your game and stop screwing around being Mr. Social and hit it.”  All without saying a word.  Impressive stuff.

Beast, on the other hand, is more bold, brash, blunt.  He flat-out told me, “If I see you putting down quarters in the 80′s on Tuesday, I’ll beat your ass and then call you a punk in front of everyone.”  Beast is my man.  Obviously, he knew I would not take that without a fight.  He started in on me even before the 64 as he wanted to see a tighter 400m range … usually I start at 97 and work my way down to 75.

With Tuesday’s workout on the short side (don’t confuse short with easy!) 4×600 @ 5k pace, 4×400 @ 3k pace (200 recovery), I figured if I jumped up and died, it would be a quick death.  The question then became which group to join?  Using 400s to indicate the talent  level of the groups (on average for a workout):

A = 68-72

B = 73-75

C = 76-79

My Group = 85+ (faster or slower as it depends who feels like pacing)

Clearly, running with the monsters in the A group would be suicide and I do love my family and look forward to watching the girls grow up.  So the A group was a non-starter.  I had a brief bout of delirium and actually warmed up with Beast and the B group.  After a couple of 200m strides, Beast must have seen my eyes bulging because he said completely unprompted, “Strides suck for all of us.  Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”  At that point, our coach (who runs with the B group) asked me, “El, are you sure you know what you’re doing?  You are so new, I want you to have positive experiences.  Are you sure?”  At that point, the light clicked and I said, “Umm, you’re right.  B group is too much of a leap.”  Could I hang on the back-end with them for a few quarters?  Yes, but not thru the planned workout.  4×600, then 4×400?  No way, especially not with a great workout coming Thursday night.

So then I went searching for the C group.  Screwing around trying to decide with whom I would run already cost me as I missed the first interval.  I hopped in for the 2nd and clung on for dear life.  I was at the back of the pack, but still within 10m of the bulk of the group.  Hell, I even passed a couple of folks (and then got passed back ).  Without further adieu, here are the splits:

I was way too hyped to start (2:05?), but settled down pretty quickly for the final two 600s.  I was feeling good during the first 2 400s, thinking maybe I can hang with these guys and gals afterall.  After 400 #2, (the first 78), I starting hurting.  I doubled over during the recovery (200? are you kidding me??? way too short) and walked for most of it.  I got my act together, but by then the rest of the group was gone.  I gave up trying to catch up.  Alone, I somehow pulled another 78.  Usually, I’m chattering during the recoveries and encouraging folks, etc.  Before the final 400, I couldn’t even lift my head.  I ran out of gas on the finale and rumbled to 84.  When I finished, it was all I could do not to fall over.  Pride kept me standing up.

Oh yeah, what did Alpha and Beast say to me afterward?  Alpha said, “Nice workout – impressive “debut“.  Beast said, “It was nice meeting you on the track tonight.  I’m glad you enjoyed your first workout as a member of CPTC.”

For those of you unfamiliar with our club, this is what it’s like … Welcome to CPTC …