Hawks...are they really dangerous?

I attempted my first Speed Workout today.

I should just end it there rather than put my embarrasment of the actual result of such an attempt. However, that would not leave you anything to read. Nor to laugh at. So, here is my account of my first Speed Workout.

I went to the base to run on their "track". Yes, that would be track in quotation marks. Wonder why? Well, when asked exactly how long the track was (at the last Base, it was 1/2 mile, so I have learned to ask), the lovely lady with the beard & mustache told me that 3 3/4 times around is equal to 1 1/2 miles. Say what? Can you put that into laps per mile for me please?

Thank goodness I brought Garmin, because I was not finishing this without it. I walked out to the "track" after moving my car closer because not only is it not a real track, but it goes around 2 baseball fields where you lose visability of any belongings you plan on placing around it. The car became necessary to reduce petty theft.

Warm-up Mile

This was a great mile, slow enough to just warm me up, took about 2 and 2/3 times around (who know actually, more than 2, less than 3).

Speed Mile

This was supposed to be in 10:31. I finished in 10:35. Now, that looks like I pretty much did it, but it's deceiving. I walked a few steps twice during that time. Yes, I realize this means that I was actually going faster than intended. Oops.

800 rest

Enough said. I walked it!

Speed Mile

Again, supposed to be 10:31. 11:17. Yuck! I had to walk like 3 times. This could be a combination of the heat, the fact that I drank too much water on the rest and the fact that they were cutting the grass on the baseball fields (I'm highly allergic). Or, it could just be that this was my first attempt at Speed and I was tired. I'm gonna go with number 1, that ok with you?

800 rest

Yay, more legitimate walking. No self deprication here! Although, on my last time around I was nearly attacked by a Hawk. He was sitting in the middle of the baseball field when I was making my last round for my rest and right when I was passing by, he flew to the fence right next to me, trapping me between him and the trees. I had no way out! I picked up the pace a tad, prayed, and barely escaped his talons. Phew!

Cool-Down Mile

What? You think I did that with that Hawk out there? You're crazy! I had a plan to duck between the baseball fields, cutting my loop in half to finish up. In fact, I did it once. But, then I looked down at Garmin and realized that I had hit Stop instead of Lap and what's the point of doing a cool-down mile if you can't prove you did it anyway. I was at the car, might as well stop. Besides, I saw that Hawk eyeing me.

As I was leaving, I saw a few other runners coming out. I looked at them longingly and mouthed "Good Luck poor souls". I sure hope they know Hawk self defense!