Kari at Running Ricig is doing a “Proof you didn’t peak in high school” virtual timed mile this month so yesterday I ran a timed mile for the first time since high school. The funny part is, I actually ran it on my high school track. I was in the area for my chiropractor appointment and figured I’d just use this track since it was nearby.
I actually don’t remember my time from the timed mile we did in gym class so it’s hard to compare directly but, I was on the varsity soccer team since 9th grade and to skip junior varsity and go right to varsity you had to pass a fitness test which included a 1.5 mile run in 12 minutes or less. I made the team so I know I passed but, I don’t remember my splits or anything like that. I do remember a timed mile for my club soccer team when I was 16 and it was 8:08 so I’m using that.
As soon as I got stretched and ready to run, a swarm of kids (about 200 or so) took over the track. Apparently, it was a running club that meets 2 days a week and the kids + some parents run for a specific amount of time. After each lap they got stickers or drawings on their bibs. It looked like a great program and it was great to see all the kids out there moving around but the timing couldn’t have been worse. To make it even better (and by better I mean annoying), the older kids ran around the middle school/high school complex (not on the track), while the younger ones stayed on the track itself. It was like running around an obstacle course of midgets. I’m all for exercise programs but, if you’re going to take up the majority of the track during public hours while others are using it you should teach the kids track etiquette in my opinion. I must’ve yelled out “on your left” like 15 times in 4 laps. The adults were just as bad as the kids too just standing there blocking the entire lanes! There was even a girl, probably about 5 or 6, who got all pouty about something at one point and literally sat down, legs crossed, and whined in the left lane! If seeing my coworker’s 6 month old baby on Wednesday gave me the slightest hint of baby fever, it has now completely disappeared after yesterday.
Anyway, let’s get to the actual timed mile. I ran a lap to warm up and then sprinted as best I could around the midget minefield and ended up with this.
7:21. I’ll take it.
I refused to look at my watch at all the entire time, I just ran as fast as I felt I could and looked down when I heard the beep. I was *hoping* for a “6” as the first number but I guess it wasn’t my day yesterday. I’m pretty sure with some speed work and an empty track I could make it happen but I’m happy enough with 7:21. It was interesting how incredibly hard it felt when I’ve run 7:45’s before in 5K’s. That 20 seconds or so really makes it burn!
See the little devils?
4 is my favorite number so my bib was triple lucky.
After the mile, I walked over to the high school with my mom (who was my photographer) to take this picture 11 years after graduating.
That entry way and sign did not exist in my day. My mom was saying how she couldn’t believe it was 11 years since I stood on the football field in the middle of the track for graduation and that got me thinking 11 years in the other direction and I was 7. How crazy is that!? 7-18 felt a heck of a lot slower than 18-29 that’s for sure. Slow down time!
And since we’re taking a trip down memory lane, look what I found in my parent’s desk drawer when I was printing the bib out at their house before going to the track.
Let’s see I think that’s 1st grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade. I still remember the 1st grade picture day because I wanted my bangs to do that curl/flip thing that was so popular at the time. The problem was my hair was super fine and never stayed in place. I think a whole can of hairspray was used and they still didn’t stick. 4th & 5th grades were me filling out before growing any that’s for sure! And, 6th grade was the year I got braces.
These two are harder, I think they’re 8th and 9th grade but, it could’ve been 7th and 8th too, not totally sure.
And finally, graduation. This picture came out a lot whiter than it actually is, I look reminiscent of Casper here.
So, 11 years older and 47 seconds faster. Hope I can say the same thing at 40.
Have you ever run a timed mile?
What is your favorite and least favorite school picture? 5th grade is my least favorite, apparently I was channeling my inner cowgirl with that shirt. I think my graduation picture was my favorite.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
G – if I can beat my time of 5:28 from high school, I will be one happy girl.
Nice time yourself!
5:28…damn!
Damn girl, that is super fast!!
School pictures can be rough. I think most people look back and think what the hell was I thinking?! I can’t wait to show my children someday!
Great job on your mile! I know I am faster now — when we had to run a mile in high school for Phy Ed I think it took me 13 minutes? I’m not sure how fast I could go, but my normal stride is between 9-10 min/miles, so I’m sure I could beat my 13 minute time.
I hated school pictures! All of mine are horrible — I wore glasses so there was always a huge glare, or the photographer would have me look down to avoid the glare — it just made me look like such a dork.
7:21 is damn good!! This is making me want to time my mile!! PS–we went to the same HS, I graduated in ’03. found your blog thru SkinnyRunner, how funny!!
Ha! Are you serious? That’s really, really random. My brother graduated in ’02, did you know him?
I don’t think so, but my brother graduated in ’02 as well, I will ask him!
I have never been able to run a full mile. One day though! One step at a time. :-) Your 7:21 Blows. Me. Away. Holy holy cow. Any advice for someone who clocks a 14min mile???
My favorite school picture was my 8th grade picture. Not sure why, it’s not anything special but I always liked it. I rebelled against senior pics and never got any.
I think the run/walk method is great way to build up your mileage. As you go on you decrease the walking time and increase the running time. take a look here: https://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html
Ahhh “THE MILE” So many negative connotations that I relate to THE mile. Not just a mile.. but THE mile. In high school – I was in the best shape during my senior year. However – in the years prior to that.. we’d practice at a field about 1/2 mile away from the school -bc the boys got the field at the school. Um. NOT cool. So – my coach would make his OWN track around the soccer field… which was def way bigger then 400m.
The summer before senior year was when I spent like 3-4 hrs a day at the gym. My timed mile was in the 6’s (but like 6:50). It was the first time I’ve ever been in the 6’s. I don’t know if I could do that now. Maybe.
But in elementary school..when we did the State Fitness test.. I remember BARELY making it in the 14 minute time limit. Yikes.
Now I want to go to a track and time a mile. :)
I think thats 8th and 9th frade, Your braces were off and the pics are taken in early past of the year. I don’t think they were off in 1 yr. I like them all :)
Woohoo! Nice job. I would have kicked that kid sitting in the lane. So annoying!
Love the flash back pictures! You look so different!
Cool! That’s awesome. I want to time myself now, but since I was on the cross country team, I don’t think I’d be nearly as fast. haha. It’d still be fun though…
Thanks for sharing the throwback pics ~ Have a good weekend!
7:21 is balling :)
I think my last one was around 6:00. I can’t remember the last time I ran “just” a mile!