Running a mile under 6 minutes (My Journey in dropping 1 full minute) 5th run

To see my previous run, check out the below post.
https://steemit.com/fitness/@aaagent/running-a-mile-under-6-minutes-my-journey-in-dropping-1-full-minute-4th-run

Time:7:06

Ran yesterday night after work at the gym. It's been raining all week and still pretty wet outside so I haven't been able to run outside. I mentioned previously that I expect treadmill runs to be faster than running outside and my last run was 6:59 on the treadmill. I was aiming for at minimum, faster than 6:59 and at best, faster than 6:50. I was dreading this run again but once again, I knew I had to update you guys and got myself to the gym.

Started the run out kind of mediocre. Did not feel in the groove but kept going. 1/4 of the way through, I felt the stomach cramp coming and I was still starting out slow. Not a good sign, but I couldn't give up just yet. Only 5 more minutes of pain. I picked up the pace into the half mile and the cramp got larger. I slow down a bit clocking my 1/2 mile at 3:51 to manage my cramp. Not good, I need to miracle to beat 6:50 at this point and my best 1/2 on the treadmill was 3:09 (3:09 + 3:51 puts me at 7:00). So even if I ran a new personal best at 3:00, I'd still be shy of 6:50. After the short slow down to manage my early cramp, I pick up the pace. This resulted in the cramp coming back fast and strong. I took the cramp on the chin knowing I'd need a miracle to hit a personal best. Clocked in a 7:06 after ramping the speed up to 12.2! Almost fell off at the very end as I couldn't maintain the speed.

I've been in worse condition although it did take a good 20 minutes for my body to recover. My body is clearly telling me it can't handle this pace well yet and that's why I can't consistently hit the times I need to hit and keep getting cramps. I will probably shift to a new strategy of upping my distance so my body can tolerate the mile better. This way my body doesn't start to cramp up at 1/4 mile as the cramping is really dampening my groove. I don't mind cramping but not when I basically just start the run!

If you guys wonder why I always watch the clock it's so I know where I'm at at all times during my run and I know what I need to do in order to reach my goal. I'm very goal oriented and this helps me get there and pace myself. In order to improve, I need to know what I did last time, what didn't work, and make it better the next time. I set a 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 mile markers to keep myself updated as to how i'm doing.

Overall, a mediocre run. I'm getting the repetitions in which is the most important part.

Chase after those goals and see you guys on the next run!