More interval training

I was not looking forward to more interval training after doing my 800 meter repeats about a week ago, but I was pleasently surprised how much I enjoyed doing mile repeats.  I have a twisted sense of "enjoyment" I know.  My family thinks that I might be a little bit crazy (just a little?).  I set a personal goal before starting yesterday's training of completeing each mile in under 8 minutes.  I finished my first mile in 7:14 and jogged about a lap and a half for rest, grabbed a sip of powerade and logged my second mile in 7:17.  Feeling my gastro-soleus (lower calf) musculature tightening up I had fear that my third mile would be a real challenge.  I jogged about 2 laps and finished the third mile in 7:38.  I was very happy with my effort and level of fatigue (I crave soreness after a workout--again... just a little crazy?).
I am pretty happy with my how my training is going.  However, I have to get out of spin class and on to my bike.  It is in need of a tune-up, and I have been stalling for a while.  Writing about it will inspire me to take care of this issue.  And I am stating publically that I will be back in the pool starting in June.  I am still planning on doing well (not just finishing) in the sprint triathlon in August.  This event brings up a question that my wife posed to me; "where do you go to sign up for triathlons and running events?".  I most often visit http://www.active.com/ to register for various events.  There are other sites like http://www.gamultisports.com/ (GA events) and http://www.setupevents.com/ (NC, SC, VA events) that have more detail about various triathlons/duathlons.

Interval training

Every now and then, something in life acts as a harsh reminder that "I am getting old".  Interval training served as this cruel reminder yesterday.  I ventured to a local high school to use their track for some 800 meter repeats.  I strapped on my Polar heart rate monitor (used to gauge workout intensity...as if my breathing rate was not good enough) and began my first 2 laps.  Pleased with my 3:25 time frame, but being realistic, I set my goal to do the remaining 3 x 800 meters in under 4 minutes each.  My rest intervals were spent jogging until my heart rate lowered between 120-130 bpm.  Although labor intensive, I am happy to report that I reached my goal.  The thought that I knew I would be blogging about this training session provided good motivation to "leg out" the last 200 meters of the final 800.  Fairly spent, I started thinking about the mile repeats that I want to work up to in training for the half marathon that I plan on doing in October.  To recap:
1.  4 x 800 meter repeats
2.  Rest intervals (jogging until HR= 120-130 bpm)
3.  Total mileage= 3.25 miles