Not quite a 1/2 mile longer than 12 - it is a little ways from where I park to the first mile marker, which is 2 1/2 (1:41 out + 1:30 back). Overall pace for 12 miles - 1:37:46 (8:08 pace), total run 1:40:57. 50:58 for the first 6 miles (average 8:29 pace) - I thought this was a little fast but I just couldn't seem to slow down much, lower mileage and as I learned after I turned around there was a bit of a tailwind!
15:31 (only a 8 1/2 and 6 1/2 marker) - 7:45 average 7:49 7:49 7:48 7:48 I was very happy with todays run, it was not "easy" - but it wasn't hard either, the last 6 miles felt very controlled and I could have gone further. My legs are little tight ... I am hoping it is phantom "tightness" :-). It was very nice today, 60F and sunny at the start 78F and sunny at the finish. It is going to be nice in Eugene next weekend (no rain in sight so far). My plan is to hang with the 3:30 pace group for at least 18 miles and if I feel good then I will start speeding up a little. I do think I might be in better than 3:30 shape (on a good day maybe even 3:25 shape), but since this is my first marathon, and it is distance I respect, I am going to err on the side of caution. If I have to slow down to slower than 3:30 then that will be ok too (truth be told I will be a little disappointed, but it will be ok, I mainly want to finish!). Happy Sunday bloggers!
Next Sunday, I will be thinking of all jailed political prisoners all over the world, but especially of Roxana Saberi, who turned 32 years old today and is on a hunger strike in an Iranian jail. I am very lucky in so many ways, but particularly because I am free to devote so much time to a hobby like running while others just fight to survive and still others to make the world a better place.
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