Today's running and thought

After a warm-up of some 3.5km in a (for me almost uncomfortably) quick jog, we did lost of running excersizes, involving accelerations and even short sprints.

Main program was:
8*400m, 2min rest between each
then 4min rest
1*1000m, good effort.

I started out too conservatively, marking 87.5s for th first 400m. Coach had suggested 85's. Second was better, a solo 84.5s.
I then hit 81s, and moved up to the faster group. They were on 76-78, and their last ones were around the 70s mark. I'm not there YET.
My last 5*400m were pretty solid, all hovering around 80.0s, give or take a few tenths.

Then the big one. Legs were hurting, breathing wouldn't really calm down. But a quick 1000m was asking. Coach suggested 3m35 after last week's 3m34, and the pace to make that : 86s per 400m.

I hit my markers nicely :
43s for 200m, 86s for 400m.
I felt I was not in too much trouble, so made sure not to fade from boredome/motivational issues.
600m 2m08, last 200m in 42 again (nothing special, recently a 1m54)
800m +42.5, 2m50.5
In the last 200m I was able to get a bit more speed going, 40.5s for 3m30.8.

Not bad, that's a PB, by lack of having raced. Coach says I should easily do 1*1000m in 3m10 if so asked. OK. He noted I was not looking like a natural distance runner. He got that right. I'll just have to learn to get through 6-8km of snow trails without losing sight of the wintertri leaders. That's be awesome.

Small bummer was I brought the wrong rucksack. I had meant to (try to) run the main program on my Adidas RLH XC spikes, less the spikes. They're a bit like racing flats than, I suppose? Just love the fit and feel of those things, and they feel FAST.

My Saucony Grid Tangents used to be my "track" shoes, for the faster front foot landing, but for over a months now, I'm doing the whole practice on them. I suppose my feet are getting stronger. I found myself heel landing part of the wram-up though, the calfs just can't take non-stop pose running for too long. On the track it feels awesome to bounce around like that. My "light" Tangents now feel custhy almost like the 100g heavier Xodus and Asics Landreths.
Baby steps, but I need to get rid of damping in my shoes. It's the only way I can see now.