Four minute k - Part 4

Saturday, 6 December 2025

I'd done some research and found that the public (i.e. chumps like me) are allowed to use the Domain Athletics Track whenever it isn't booked, which during work hours would be quite often as there are only so many school carnivals to be had.   And sure enough, when I arrived there were only two other people using it - someone doing some sprints on the other side, and another person doing lap after lap.  

With my new shoes on I did a few warmup laps and a few stretches,  then running out of reasons to stall, I started my watch and set off.  The first 200 metres always feels good, and I can convince myself that I'm running strongly, however as I approached the 350 metre mark things were starting to hurt. It crossed my mind that perhaps I should pull the pin and just come back another day but I quickly realised that the other day would be just as painful as this day so I may as well keep going and find out the truth about my progress.

I crossed the 400metre mark and glanced at my watch and was heartily surprised to see it showed 1:32, definitely faster than I'd done before.  I was paying the price though, as the next lap felt awful and I was sure I was now well off the pace I needed. Imagine my surprise when I passed the 800 metre mark and another glance at my watch revealed I was at 3:11, well within range if I put in a good effort for the last 200metres.   

So I put my head down and went for it. And I did it!! 3:54! I couldn't be happier! or more surprised! I still had 6 weeks of my program to go - I could tear it up and let the pieces flutter down on Jett's head!

For reference, here are my splits compared to the first trial:

 In the first trial, my slowest pace was at the 875 metre mark before it improved slightly as I approached the line, in the second trial, it was at the 660 mark, earlier but also a lot less slow than trial one, and from there I improved back up to the pace I was doing at the 300 metre mark as I gave it everything to get to the finish line. 

So all up I'm pretty pleased with myself - I did it!  - but it does raise two questions - 1. What do I do with the rest of the time before the Oceania Sprint Champs and 2. What will become of Jett?

I think now that it has proved that pain does equal gain, I'll adjust the intervals for the 2.5 km sprint race length, and continue doing them.   

As far as Jett goes, we're in negotiations.  I'm pleased he has passed is first year of Uni as it's in even more in my interest he secures a good future :)