Speed Work

I have to do speed work 1x per week on this program I am following, and Thursdays are speed work days. Speed work consists of interval training. Today I had to run 5 miles at a 10:20 per mile pace (yes, this is speed work for me!), and mix in another 2 miles here and there.
I did 2 miles at a 9:30 pace and 2 miles at a 10:00 pace, and 1 mile at a 10:10 pace.
Speed work makes me realize just how slow of a runner that I am.
Last Thursday I did my speed work at a local college running track, and there was a Javelin Man in the field throwing a javelin the entire time I was running. So impressed was I that I clapped for him after he threw his mighty javelin. This encouraged him. He looked my direction thereafter prior to and after each throw, wondering whether I would clap again. I did not clap again.
Today's speed work did not consist of Javelin Man because I avoided that track.
Today it was nose-to-the grindstone speed work.
Speed intervals take the joy out of running for me because running for me is about getting lost and letting my mind go. Running is not about deadlines and commitments. It is about being somewhere where no one can find me.
Last evening I looked up my sister-in-law's Boston Marathon time for this year. She is 5 -years my senior and she ran an 8:45 per mile pace for 26.2 miles at Boston.
All I could think about today while doing my speed work is how I will never make it to Boston.
Speed work makes me feel inadequate.
Javelin Man probably would not agree.