Running progress!
Anyway, today I ran 2.87 miles (I thought it was closer to 3.1, I was a bit off) in 21:21. That is a 7:27 mile - or :35 per mile better than I have done before. The course has 250 feet of climbing, so not pancake flat, either. Ran the second half only 7 seconds slower than the first - so pretty decent pacing.
Congratulations, Sand!! Terrific run. Love it when those things happen! Speaking of which, it's amazing what only one week (and about 10 degrees) can do for you...
Set out for my 15 miler about an hour late this morning (just needed the sleep!) at 7:15. It was 59 degrees - still humid, but at 59 who cares about a little humidity?!? No backpack of Gatorade this time (can't risk being shamed by BnB again for my sugar intake!). Just my 1.4 liter Camelbak belt pack and 2 Gu's.
First 5 miles, 9:27s, Ave HR 151 (for me, that's amazingly low!)
next 5 miles, 9:24s, Ave HR 158 (the only time I crossed 170 - briefly - was running up a decent sized hill)
next 2 miles, 9:20s, Ave HR 163
next 2 miles, 9:11s, Ave HR 165
next 1 mile, 9:03, HR 171 (hit my 15, feeling great, sooo..)
final 1 mile, 8:44, HR 176 (finally crossed 180HR at about minute 2:28 of 2:29!!)
16 miles total, 2:29:13, 9:19 ave pace, 159 ave HR
As gruecd would say, I
killed it!!
Honestly if I hadn't increased the pace like I did the last 4 miles I could have kept going with no trouble - I'd like to think I could have done 20 at 9:30s.
Tuesday will officially kick-off my 16 week marathon program for Tucson. 4 weeks until my first 20 miler. Woo-hoo!!