I was VERY happy with this run. I got out at about 9:15, which was later than I wanted to, but I really needed the rest. Anyway, I did a 9.5 mile loop twice. The first time around I started really slow, my first mile being about 7:40. I was stiff and tight from the race, but I knew that would go away a few miles into the run. To make a long run short, I ended up running 6:54/mile, and that is easily the fastest I have done this year for a long run like this. My best before this was a sixteen mile run at 7:00/mile, so I was really happy about this. I felt really good the entire run until mile 15 or 16, and then the last few miles were a little harder, but honestly I probably could have run farther than I did. The run made me super optimistic where I am in my training right now. My overall mileage this week is nothing impressive because of the race, but starting next week I can do my normal workouts up until the race in August, so I'm glad for that. Based off today's run, I feel very confident that I'll be able to easily break three hours in Pocatello, assuming I don't get injured and that I feel good the day of the race. I'm excited about where I am in my fitness right now. | 