My weekday runs used to consist of running before, during or after work.  The distance was whatever I had time for and the speed depended on how tired I was.

It seemed to work for me.  When I wasn’t injured or recovering from an injury, I was fast enough and once I hit 60, I usually won an age group award in a race.

Then at the end of September, I joined a running group – the Troy Turkey Trot Challenge.

And once a week, our 10K coach had us run “Intervals.”  The intervals varied…sometimes one minute, sometimes 2 minutes and even 4 minutes.  Each interval was run at race pace with the last one being the fastest and each interval was followed by a recovery slow jog or fast walk.

To make matters worse, we had to run up hills.

At first, I really struggled and walked up part of every hill.  I did get a little better and then we switched locations where the hills were longer and steeper.

And yes, I still hate them but I accept them.

So the question is…have interval and hill drills helped me?

Run for the Roc – 5K PR – 27:11 PR

Great Pumpkin Challenge – 10K PR – 58:28

10 Mile PR – 1:38:45

Stockade-athon – 15K PR – 1:33:23

FOUR PRS!!

Since I have not been injured all year and have been running consistently, these PRs may have happened anyway.  But me (and my coach) like to think that the drills have made a difference.

Will I do drills on my own?  Probably not. But I have discovered the benefit of joining a training group or having a coach.

Happy Running! Do you do drills?