SpeedPlay - Summer 2014

There's nothing quite like barreling around a track at sunrise to the sound of your own breath, practically feeling yourself getting faster. It's not easy, but when you push yourself each week at the SpeedPlay workouts, you definitely do become a better runner. The combination of VO2 max training, core workouts, and warmup/recovery time helps get your muscles used to moving in a faster gear and your brain used to running at your goal pace. It's always a tough workout, but so worth it when you see the results. And I'm not just saying that because I work here! When I first started at Fleet Feet Knoxville, my personal record for a 5k was 24:42 and I wasn't getting any faster, but after training with group and adding SpeedPlay to my weekly workout I was able to bring it down to 22:37 in August!

I have a ways to go until I reach my goal of under 22 minutes (let's say 21:59...), but I'm confident that I can get there by increasing my weekly mileage and continuing to hit the track every Thursday morning at SpeedPlay. My goal race is the Hot to Trot 5k, I'll let you know if I get there!

_{Katlyn Gagnier is the Marketing and Operations Assistant (aka jack of all trades) at Fleet Feet Sports Knoxville. She spends a lot of time in the office, but you'll probably catch her out running with the training groups in the evenings, occasionally dressed as Wonder Woman.}

If you have any SpeedPlay experiences to share, please let us know in the comments!