10 x 100 Track Workout

For whatever reason, many marathon taper plans suggest a workout of ten 100 meter sprints with jogs in between ten days before the race.  One suggestion I found indicated that this was to get one last track/speed workout in before the race not to build up strength or speed necessarily but to maintain it.

I am not always a fan of the track.

When I do decide to go to the track, however, I like to stick with 800 or 1600 sprints. 100 is just so short! And so fast.  I hate speed.  (Have I mentioned my fear of 5K races enough?)

Anyway, this workout made me think of 100-yard dashes we would have in elementary school on a school-wide "Olympics" day.  I was always good at those...when I was 8.  

Did anyone else have these Olympic days?  I also like the water balloon toss and the obstacle course around the playground.

Not my picture. Thank you google search.

I was so tempted today to do a hill workout instead of track, but I figured hills are my strong point more than speed so I made myself do it.

The verdict?  Not bad!  I didn't time myself but I went out close to full effort.  I sprinted down the straight sides of the track and jogged on the round ones.  One side had a lot of wind resistance.

But for the first time I have been to the track in a while, did I really feel like I knew what it meant to have my legs feel like jelly.  I think 100 pushes me harder than 800 or 1600.  In the end, it wasn't too bad.  I jogged a bit on either end and I ended up with a solid 5 mile workout.  I usually dread the track, but always feel so satisfied once I am done.  (Yes, I am writing this post-workout to remind myself of the satisfaction I feel in this moment).

Track/Sprint Workouts: Yay or Nay?